A Beginner’s Guide to Picture Windows

Picture windows are an excellent way to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. These large, fixed-pane windows offer expansive, unobstructed views, flooding your home with natural light. If you’re looking for replacement windows that can make a statement and transform your whole space, picture windows are the perfect option for you.

In this beginner’s guide to picture windows, we’ll explore their pros and cons and the customization options available to truly make them your own. 

Benefits of Picture Windows

To better understand why these replacement windows can make a great addition to your home, you need to look at the pros of picture windows. These include: 

• Enhanced natural light: One of the main benefits of picture windows is that they allow a significant amount of natural light to enter your home. These windows are typically large, so sunlight pours in and brightens your space. 
• Unobstructed views: You’ll never paint a picture so pretty as the view just outside your house. These windows provide clear views of the outdoors, creating a seamless connection between inside and outside spaces. Many homeowners place these windows on walls facing scenic landscapes to maximize the views.  
• Make spaces feel larger: With expansive window panes and uninterrupted views, picture windows can make spaces feel more open, airy and larger than they are.
•  Energy efficiency: Picture windows are the most energy-efficient window style simply because there are no potential gaps where the window sash meets. They can also be equipped with energy-efficient glass to further their capabilities.
• Improved home value: Picture windows can increase home value by enhancing curb appeal and energy efficiency, making them attractive features for home buyers. 

Disadvantages of Picture Windows

Picture windows aren’t appropriate in every part of the house. Knowing where to use picture windows and when not to use picture windows can help you build a home that meets all your needs.

• Nonoperable: Picture windows are so named because they provide a picture of the outside, but they do not open or close.
• Glare: West-facing picture windows and windows overlooking the water can sometimes allow bright glare into the room. Consider your window treatments carefully to maximize your view while controlling glare.
• Cleaning challenges: Picture windows cannot be opened or tilted inward for cleaning purposes. They are easy to clean from the inside, but you’ll have to go outside to clean the exterior of your window glass. Cleaning windows from the outside can be challenging, particularly on second floors.

How Do Picture Windows Open?

Picture windows are stationary, which means they are designed to be fixed in place. Because they lack operable parts, they do not open or close. The purpose of a picture window is to frame a view, much like a picture. If you want to get ventilation or air flow around where you install picture windows, you must pair them with other window styles that do open.

Picture windows pair well with double-hung or casement windows. You can also install them alongside gliding windows if your picture windows are against a patio or porch. 

Customization Options for Picture Windows 

When choosing picture windows, you’ll find several customization options to enhance their appearance and functionality. 

Glass Options for Energy-Efficiency

Since picture windows eliminate any chance of drafts, they are highly efficient by design. However, they tend to be large and allow UV rays into your home, making it crucial to use energy-efficient glass. Consider choosing double-paned picture windows with an inert argon gas blend between the glass panes. Argon gas provides better insulation and prevents heat from escaping.

Renewal by Andersen’s low-emissivity glass is also a great option. It blocks heat while letting in natural light, reducing energy loss year-round. Our High-Performance Low E4^® SmartSun™ glass is designed to filter 95% of harmful UV rays, making it an excellent choice for picture windows.

Grille Patterns

Grille patterns are decorative, but they make a lasting impact on the way your home looks both inside and out. Work with your window installer to choose a grille pattern matching the other windows installed in your home.

Frame Colors

The color of the frame is just as essential as the window style when it comes to complementing your home’s existing decor. Renewal by Andersen^® picture windows are made with Fibrex^® composite material, which is incredibly durable and energy-efficient. The manufacturing process of our frames fuses the color into the materials, resulting in a wide range of colors for you to choose from. 

Picture Window Pairings

Many people pair their picture windows with other window types, like double-hung or casement windows, to allow for a beautiful view and ventilation. Talk to your window dealer and installer to decide whether you’ll install one big picture window or one smaller picture window combined with two ventilated windows.

Install the Best Picture Windows Available With Renewal by Andersen  

Renewal by Andersen^® windows are protected by our Nation’s Best Warranty coverage, and they’re installed by experts. Contact us to learn more about how you can make the most of your picture window installation.