If you are thinking about a window replacement project, you are in luck. There have never been more types and styles of windows you can install in your home. One aesthetically pleasing option that you can install to boost your homes curb appeal are French windows. These windows are popular for their elegant and classic design. They offer you versatility because they can look great on modern and more traditional homes. In this blog post we are going to talk about what are french windows?
Most people are familiar with French doors, but what they don’t realize is they have the option to install French windows as well. They share similar design characteristics so you could mix and match them. Here we will outline what these windows are and talk a little about their history and origins.
What Are French Windows?
There is definitely some confusion about French windows. Some people see them more of a door than a window because of their appearance. Over the years, people have been using the term interchangeably.
A French window is essentially a pair of casement windows. What is unique about them is they can reach the floor and open in the middle similar to the design of a door. The double sash use hing and tend to open inwards.
Westbury Joinery provides a great explanation of what French windows are and how they relate to French doors:
“The wider products that are sold as French doors almost universally today are actually much broader in proportion than the true French window, which is narrower and more elegant. French windows open outward together without a mullion separating them. Setting them in pairs and opening them together maximizes the view, making the exterior view part of the interior design. Typically, people install them in multiples across the exterior wall of a large room.”
“French windows were originally made from wood and iron, and despite the fact that they are available in many different materials in the modern world, a French door that is made from wood embodies all those elements of classical beauty and heritage in a way that uPVC and aluminium just can’t replicate.”
French Windows can also customized to meet your unique needs. There are a number of design options or styles of these windows for you to consider. They include:
- French cut windows: One of the sashes opens like a French window and the other can tilt inward. It looks like a French window but cut into two different parts.
- French pane windows: These have glass with grills on the outside. This divides the glass into squares.
- French casement windows: These have a wider and unobstructed opening. Which makes them a good fit for almost any home today.
Different types of French Windows –
- French Hinged Windows: These are the most common type of French window, where the two panels of glass are hinged to the sides of the frame and can be opened inwards or outwards.
- French Sliding Windows: These are similar to traditional sliding doors, but with two panels of glass instead of one. The panels slide past each other on a track, allowing for easy opening and closing.
- French Folding Windows: Also known as bi-fold doors, these consist of several panels of glass that are hinged together, which fold up against each other when the door is opened. This allows for maximum flexibility in terms of opening space, as the panels can be folded back to create a large opening.
- French Pivot Windows: These windows pivot on a central hinge, allowing for a wider range of opening positions than hinged windows. Installer often use these windows in contemporary or modern architecture to create a striking design feature.
Components of French Windows
Here are the basic components that make up French windows:
- They are a casement window style
- Dual sash opening
- No central post
- Two sashes with hinges on the side
- They are build similar to French doors
- They can open inward or swing-in
What Are The Benefits of French Windows?
The unique style of these windows is what typically draws homeowners to them. There are a number of reasons why people choose to install them. They include:
- A great view: They provide a great panoramic view of outside.
- More light: There is a lot of glass surface area that allows you to have more natural light into your home.
- Energy efficiency: Any new window you install today will help to improve your overall energy efficiency.
- Safety: The inherent design of the window makes them a great option for an emergency exit. There is ample space for family members to get out of the window if necessary.
These are just a few of the great benefits of installing these types of windows. Obviously, the classic design and modern touches will help vastly improve your curb appeal.
The Origins Of French Windows
Even though they are called French windows, the origin of them being French is called somewhat into question, depending on who you ask. In the 17th Century France adopt these windows widely. Many point to 1780 as the first known use of the windows in the country.
But the real origins of these windows date back even further. They are believe to be bring to the country as a spoil of war as part of the Italian Wars years earlier. There was no evidence of the existence of the design before this time period.
The Italian Renaissance began in the 1400s. Creators in this time frame were heavily influenced by the ruins of the Roman Empire. But they also took ideas from Greek culture and integrated them into designs. This is what led to the look and design of these windows and doors.
By the 16th century, Renaissance style windows resembled what they have become today. The French saw these designs and upon return from home from war, immediately began using these designs in their construction of homes and buildings. So, while the French didn’t come up with the idea itself, they were the ones who began to mass produce it and made it popular around Europe and the world. So they are popular as French because of their mass adoption, not the invention of the window style.
Contact Us To Upgrade Your Windows And Doors
Are you thinking about installing French windows? Is it time to upgrade your windows? Call us at 1-888-837-6569 for a free in-home estimate! We are happy to visit your home and take a look at your window needs. We can discuss your options and help you choose the right windows to match your home.
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