Colonial Homes and Their Windows

Colonial style homes have been with our country since the beginning.  It is a distinctive architecture style that may have different variations attached to it, but is still easily recognizable.  While the Colonial style is popular with many people, original homes that were built in this style are mostly found in the eastern United States where the first settlers started the trend.

Different Versions of Colonial Homes

Each early immigrant group that arrived in the United States brought with them their own architectural traditions.  They mixed up what they already knew with what needed to work better to be able to survive in the new world and created these 8 variations of home architecture that we group together as colonial:

1. Federalist (also known as Adam)
2. Georgian
3. French
4. German
5. Spanish
6. New England
7. Cape Cod
8. Dutch

How Do Their Windows Differ?

Just like the buildings, the windows in each of the different Colonial styles depended on the area and the materials that were available to the builder at the time.  For example, the New England Colonial homes were built with simple, small casement windows and most had diamond-shaped panes.  While further south where the weather was warmer, and the homeowners didn’t have to worry about cold, snowy winters as much as they did muggy, hot summers; the windows were narrower and were often paired with French doors that opened out onto large porches and verandas.

How do I remain True to the Colonial Style of My Windows?

How you replace windows in your Colonial style home depends on if you are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or if you want to be listed on the register.  If this describes your home, then you need to replace and fix your windows with similar materials as they were originally built with.

So you can’t just call a company and have them come in to replace all your windows with vinyl replacement windows.  Instead, you need to have the wood frames repaired or rebuilt, and new glass put in if you need new windows.  This is to keep the home looking as original as possible.

If you don’t have a care in the world about the National Register of Historical Places, then your window options are left to your taste and budget.  A Renewal by Andersen representative would be more than happy to help you find the right windows for you, as well as ones that will still maintain the unique, Colonial style look that you love about your home.