Lites in grid patterns should not generally be smaller than 8 inches in width and 6 inches in height. The resulting size shows the average size of glass surrounded by grids. Take a sheet of notebook paper and bend it in half. This way, when you view the home from the exterior, you have a unified look. Generally, grid patterns should match in all the windows on the same floor and on the same side of the house. On the Double Hung, you may choose to have grids on both sash, on the top sash only, or on the bottom sash and not the top. For example, a Casement window has only one sash, while a Double Hung window has both a top and bottom sash. Grids are defined within the sash of a window. This meeting rail acts as a horizontal grid in these types of windows. Also, remember that the meeting rail (the horizontal portion of a Double or Single Hung window where the sashes come together) also provides a visual break in the lines of the window-basically between the top and bottom sash. You don’t necessarily need to have both vertical and horizontal grids in a window. Horizontal grids go “side to side” on the glass. Vertical grids go in an “up and down” direction on the glass of the window. Basically, grids (which can sometimes be called grills, grilles or muntins) divide a large window into smaller viewing units, called “lites.” If a window looks too large for a room or you want to accent the unit, it’s time to think about grids. Tip #2 – Consider the size of the window. The most popular ways are to place the grids between the panes of glass (which eliminates cleaning hassles), affix the grids on top of the glass with an adhesive or to have snap-in grids that are slipped into grooves at the top and bottom of the units. Different window manufacturers attach grids in different ways to a window. Tip #1 – Know where the grids are located. Fortunately there are some tips to help even a novice correctly specify window grids.”ĭavis offers these suggestions for understanding grids and how to specify them for windows: “For those individuals who want grids on their windows, the key elements are to achieve balance with the grids and to select grid patterns that are aesthetically pleasing. However, those people may sacrifice style and an important design detail on the home. “Anyone can go with clear glass windows and eliminate grid decisions by ordering plain glass. “Grids can be considered the ‘cherry on top of the sundae’ for windows in the home,” says Whitney Davis of Simonton Windows. For newer homes, you’ll want to consider if the window grids should be a design accent for the home, pull-together the architectural theme of the house and/or provide continuity of adjoining windows within a room or from one room to another. For older homes, you may need to capture the historic character of the home’s style with grids fashioned to complement a previous era. There are some definite considerations that should be taken into account when determining the configuration, color and style for window grids.ĭecisions you make on grids can positively (or negatively) affect the overall look on both the home’s exterior and interior. Whether you’re ordering windows for a new home or considering replacing windows in an existing house, sooner or later you’re going to have to make a decision on grids. Specifying Aesthetically Pleasing Grids for Windows

Alternative Heating & Fireplace Inserts.

Picture window prairie grid