An older house gets much of its character from its windows. The proportions of the sash, the pattern of the panes and the way the trim frames each opening all tell you when the house was built. When those windows finally need replacing, the goal is to get modern comfort without making the house look like it was remodeled last week.
Austin has a lot of these homes, from early twentieth century bungalows to mid-century ranches in the older central neighborhoods. Here are five window styles that tend to suit them, followed by the one step you should take before ordering anything.
1. Double-hung windows
If your house was built before the middle of the last century, there is a good chance its original windows were double-hung: two sashes that slide past each other vertically, held in a tall, narrow frame. That shape is a big part of the look of Victorian, Craftsman and many Colonial Revival homes.
A modern double-hung window keeps the same vertical proportion and the same meeting rail across the middle. The difference is inside: insulated low-E glass, better seals and sashes that tilt in for cleaning. When you choose one, match the original grid pattern as closely as you can. A Craftsman house often had a divided upper sash over a single-pane lower sash, while a Victorian might have one large pane in each.
2. Casement windows
Side-hinged casements show up on Tudor Revival and Spanish-influenced houses, and in some mid-century designs where windows were grouped into horizontal bands. A replacement casement keeps that swinging operation and can be fitted with grids that echo the original divided lights. Casements also seal tightly against the frame when closed, which helps with drafts and summer heat in an older house that tends to leak air.
3. Specialty-shape windows
Arched tops, half-rounds over doors and gable-end shapes are the details people notice first on many older homes. They are also the hardest to replace well, because each one is a little different. Specialty-shape windows are built to the exact profile of the opening, so you can keep an arch or a fan light instead of filling it in or squaring it off. It is usually worth taking extra care here, since these windows tend to sit in the most visible spots on the front of the house.
4. Picture windows with transoms
Many mid-century homes have a large living room window, sometimes with smaller panes above or alongside it. A picture window keeps that big expanse of glass, and a narrow transom above can recreate the layered look of the original. Because a picture window does not open, it seals very well, which helps on a west-facing front where afternoon sun pours in. If ventilation matters, flank the picture window with operating units that match the rest of the house.
5. Awning windows
Top-hinged awning windows were common in mid-century houses, often stacked under or beside fixed glass. They suit bathrooms, kitchens and the small high windows found on ranch-style homes. Keeping the awning operation where the house originally had it helps preserve the rhythm of the facade.
Before you order: check whether your home needs review
If your house is inside a City of Austin local historic district, exterior changes such as replacing windows need review before work begins. Do not assume that because a neighbor replaced their windows, the same product will be approved for yours.
The simplest path is to contact the City’s Historic Preservation Office early, before you settle on a product. Ask whether your property is in a local historic district, what the review process involves, and what kinds of replacement windows they will consider for your house. Get that answer first, then shop. It saves you from ordering windows that cannot be installed.
If your home is not designated but sits in a neighborhood with an HOA or deed restrictions, read those too. Some have their own rules about grid patterns and exterior colors.
Tips for keeping the character intact
- Photograph every window, inside and out, before anything is removed. The photos help with matching grid patterns and trim.
- Keep the size of each opening where you can. Shrinking an opening to fit a stock size is one of the quickest ways to make an older house look altered.
- Pay attention to the exterior trim. The casing around a window does as much for the look as the window itself.
- Choose a frame color that suits the era of the house and the rest of the exterior.
- Replace the street-facing windows as a set so they match one another.
Comfort matters in an older house too
Many older homes in Central Texas were built before central air was common. Original single-pane windows let in a lot of heat in summer and can sweat on cold winter mornings. Swapping them for well-chosen replacements, where allowed, can make the rooms more comfortable while keeping the look that drew you to the house. Pairing tight windows with a good look at the attic insulation and door seals helps even more.
Talk to us about your older home
We can look at your windows, talk through styles that suit the age of your house, and work with whatever guidelines apply to your property. Call The Window Source of Austin at (512) 524-9455 or schedule a free in-home estimate.