October 4, 2022 by WindowRama
Guide to Window Design Trends
As you grapple with supply chain issues, labor shortages, and clients who still want pre-2020 timelines and pricing, let’s take a deep breath and remember that no matter what, good design is good business. Whatever the economy, customers still get excited about new design possibilities and helpful new features.
If you have a residential construction project, remember the windows are a significant piece of the overall aesthetics, inside and out. And they play a supporting role in energy savings. Knowing your modern window design trends for 2022 will go a long way in building a good relationship with your clients and ensuring they’re happy with the finished project.
WindowRama takes the supply chain stress out of the equation by making sure that our 20 showrooms in the tristate area are packed full of inventory. So, once you’ve enlightened your clients on home window design trends, you can be confident the windows they choose will be delivered before they go out of style! Keep reading for eight window trends that you should know about in 2022.
1. Natural Lighting
One of the biggest trends for home window design is bigger windows. Natural light is in. Letting a room bathe in natural light is aesthetically pleasing and uplifting. Floor-to-ceiling windows are now popular for any size home. They make a room feel open and more connected to the outdoors.
For homes that have a great outdoor space, especially those with a beautiful view, window walls literally open a room to the outside. Window walls are created with large sliding glass or folding glass doors that are almost the width of an outer wall. Visually and functionally, a window wall increases the square footage of a room.
2. Mix It Up
Your clients may be thinking more about how a window looks than how it functions. They may pick a look, but not realize the same look can be applied to different types of windows. There’s no need to limit a home to the same type of window in every room, especially when it’s possible to customize the use for the space.
A casement window, for example, is great above a kitchen sink or stove because it can crank open to allow full ventilation. (A traditional double-hung only allows half the window space to be open.) Awning windows swing open from the bottom so they’re nice in a bathroom, placed up higher on a wall for privacy, and can stay open even when it’s raining. To get to know all the window options, their features, and best placement in a home, take a look at this guide for choosing windows for new construction.
3. Take a Minimalistic Approach
Minimal and uncluttered has become a very desirable look and lifestyle. A large, gorgeous window with simple, clean lines can be the focal point of a room. Large picture windows and styles that minimize the frames, emphasizing the glass, work well. MultiGlide™ pass-through windows, which slide open and completely disappear into the wall are a minimalist’s dream. Suggest one between the kitchen and patio area to simplify entertaining outdoors.
4. Get Creative With Colors
The traditional white window frame is still popular, but so are interesting colors. Wood is the new neutral and various wood species and stain colors provide more detailed customization. But vinyl clad and fiberglass are available in a wide variety of color choices, which will stay beautiful without repainting. For clients that want their home to stand out and feel unique, encourage them to get creative with color and the hardware.
5. Consider Black Windows
We’ve saved the black for almost last because it’s a trend that encompasses all the above trends. Black is bold and confident, fits the architectural style of most any residence, and is a great choice for clients who want a minimalist look. Black looks amazing on homes with exposed brick or a neutral color palette. Black is stellar for floor-to-ceiling windows and window walls. If your client wants something that’s both contemporary and timeless, black frames are the way to go.
6. Environmentally Friendly Options
You may find that more of your customers are asking about eco-friendly options when choosing windows. They may be looking for energy savings, which is the most important factor for the life of the window. But they also may want to know if materials and manufacture are considered sustainable. WindowRama is happy to provide answers!
7. Energy Efficiency
Here in the tristate area where we get bitter cold winters and oppressively high heat and humidity in the summers, windows need to block out the harsh weather while letting the natural light in. You want window frames that won’t swell up in the humidity or crack in the cold.
Guide your clients to select for Low-E glass no matter what style of window they like. They need a Low-E coating to block the sun’s radiation and reflect heat. The glass should have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) which measures how much radiant heat will enter. The lower the number the better. Look for an SHGC that’s less than or equal to .25. For winter weather, they also need a low U-Factor, which is the measure of how well the glass keeps heat inside. In this area, select a U-Factor that’s less than or equal to .30.
8. Sustainability
As for the window manufacturer, WindowRama is proud to carry a huge inventory of the Andersen brand, which is a charter member of the Green Building Council. Andersen seeks to take care of the environment in the sourcing and manufacture of their products, which includes using an award-winning steam plant to heat and cool their facility. They go above and beyond the Energy Star certifications that most window manufacturers carry, and also have the Environmental Product declaration, Health Product Declaration, Forest Stewardship, and Recycled Content certifications, and they’re a sponsor of Mindful Materials.
Consider These Window Design Trends To Enhance Your Clients’ Homes in 2022
When you have a new construction or remodeling project, consider these window design trends. Knowing what will bring a fresh look or more value to the home will help customers make better choices for their windows.
We find it helps to remind customers that windows are a real investment in their homes. Windows are one of the first things people notice about a house. They contribute to the light and beauty of a room and can increase the comfort and enjoyment of a home.
