Don’t underestimate the positive effect of making the right window choice can have on every room in your home.
Windows can completely transform a room as they provide an external natural light source that can have a great effect on the appearance of the property’s interior as a whole. If you’re hoping to renovate one or more rooms in your house and you’re not quite sure what you can do to spruce them up a little, why not consider changing the windows?
While you may need planning consent to make any alterations to a property, but windows can go a long way into making a space seem far more bright and inviting for both residents and guests.
Which wall?
If you’re thinking of conducting a full renovation, perhaps incorporating a window in a different wall would have a different effect. As the sun rises in the east, placing a window on a northern or southern wall will provide a more constant amount of sunlight throughout the day, whereas an eastern or western facing wall will be open to more or less light depending on the time of day. This is useful when considering windows for bedrooms, as you can help to reduce the amount of bright light entering that part of the house in the morning.
You might also want to think about the potential viewpoint of your new window. It is all very well if it is simply looking out into the back garden, but if your new window looks directly into your neighbour’s home, you might receive a few complaints.
Large or small windows?
How much privacy do you want? How high are your windows? Are you looking at a potentially breath-taking view? A lot of the time we will go for a window that is slightly smaller than average in order to ensure that we keep our privacy and still get a good amount of light.
However, if your property is not overlooked by neighbours or your house overlooks a valley or rolling hills and you have a reasonable amount of privacy, then what is stopping you from installing larger windows?
Some high-rise flats have floor-to-ceiling windows installed because homes on the upper floors do not suffer from privacy issues. This floor-to-ceiling effect can be mesmerising, although it can also be expensive. In cases like these it may be a good idea to look into the different types of window covering available, such as blinds, shutters or curtains.
Blinds, curtains or shutters?
Each type of window covering has its own benefits and disadvantages, so it is important to do your research. While curtains provide a good all round coverage and can be extremely efficient in offering a black-out option, they are more susceptible to mould and condensation and can be awkward to clean. Some curtain styles do not suit the design trends common in contemporary homes, but are well-suited to interiors that are based on traditional styles.
Blinds, in comparison to curtains, are slightly more flexible. They are easier to clean and come in a variety of materials and colours. However, they can get damaged and the dangling cords are far from child friendly. Shutters are a great flexible way of ensuring privacy, with several options available to increase privacy while also allowing for a good amount of natural light to come into the room.
Consider a skylight
If a window isn’t really for you, or there is no space on the current walls to make a window bigger or to change its location, you could always try installing a skylight. They are a unique design feature and are a good way of letting more light into the property without having to worry about encroaching on the neighbour’s privacy.
When it comes to renovating, your only limit is your imagination and budget. As long as you have everything is in order before you start knocking holes in walls, you should have little to no trouble creating a brand new room where your windows will shine.
Article provided by Mike James, working together with West Sussex-based The Window Shutter Company.
