Popular SF Home Styles And Their Matching Window Types

 

When taking an architectural tour of San Francisco, one thing you’d notice is the uniqueness of windows. Each home style boasts a distinctive window design that accentuates its own character.

As one of the region’s top window companies, Renewal by Andersen® of San Francisco wants to share the matching windows of SF’s popular architectural styles:

Mission Revival

Mission Revival residences commonly use double-hung and casement windows (in French style). In many cases, both types of unit are utilized at the same time. The former usually features crisscross grilles where the upper sash is visually divided into square lights, while the bottom one is plain.

When it comes to color, any architecturally savvy window contractor would recommend cocoa bean on the outside to complement the whitewashed stucco walls. On the inside, dark-stained wood is virtually universal.

Spanish Colonial Revival

French-style casement units are a quintessentially Spanish Colonial Revival window. They come in pairs, are hinged on the side, and open horizontally with no meeting stile in the middle. Usually tall and narrow, Spanish Colonial Revival windows are typically divided into rectangular, horizontal lights, which are generally unconventional among traditional architectures. They share similar exterior and interior colors with Mission Revival units.

Victorian / Queen Anne

Home to the famous “Painted Ladies”, SF has a lot of Victorian- and Queen Anne-style houses with detailed bay and bow windows. One of the most common bay or bow design observed is a multi-paneled unit composed of decorated double-hungs. While the bottom sash remains plain, the glass of the upper one has grilles that form a large square bordered by tiny squares. Experienced window contractors would say that going grille-less, though, wouldn’t necessarily hurt curb appeal.

In terms of color, make your windows adopt the predominant palette. If you have a bright exterior color scheme, choose white. If you have a cool one, pick a bold hue, like red rock, to highlight your units. The interior is usually of stained wood.

International

Staying consistent with the International Modern aesthetic that focuses on function rather than style, put a premium on oversized windows with no grilles. If you could lose corner walls in favor of glass units, you’d catch more sun and enjoy panoramic views. Take advantage of every opportunity to combine picture and casement windows to get more ventilation opportunities.

Was your home’s architecture in San Francisco not mentioned? Call Renewal by Andersen of San Francisco now at (866) 609-5033 to conceptualize the right window design for your home. We’ll be happy to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation at your convenience.