Love your home but feel stuck with the boring windows that you have? Think again!
Old windows do drag a place down and can make it look dated and drab. Unfortunately, as any homeowner knows, new windows are a costly endeavor. Furthermore, the style windows you always dreamed about may be out of your budget range.
Or are they?
Windows, just like any other home improvement project, can be changed to fit your style without having to spend a lot of money. The secret is to DIY it! Adding window grids to your existing windows, for example, is cheap and adds old-world charm to your whole home.
Window grids look sophisticated and refined. Do they have a place in your home? Read on to explore why and how you should add them to your windows.
If it’s curb appeal you’re after, sprucing up your windows with new window grids can add value and beautify your home at the same time.
The concept of window grids originated in the early 1600s when there was a widespread shortage of glass. Rather than risk breaking large, valuable pieces of glass in shipment, many glass fabricators opted to instead ship smaller squares which were simply pieced together with trim to create larger windows later.
Nowadays, window grids are just for looks! There are tons of window trends out there to inspire your new DIY windows, so let’s dive in.
Colonial-style grids are by far the most popular style of window grids on traditional homes.
With this style, the windows are divided by the grids into identical squares. The most common colonial-style grid is the 6 lite, but there’s also 4 and 9 lite, depending on your personal preference.
Prairie style grids are the more popular choice for farmhouse or contemporary homes.
The main distinction is that prairie grids are unequal in their divisions, featuring a larger square in the middle and smaller squares in the corners.
If you love a good Craftsman home (I mean, who doesn’t?) you may have noticed the unique windows that make them so charming. Typical craftsman homes sport a mix of both types of windows: with a grid on the top pane and a bottom pane left bare.
Non-opening transom-style windows divided into multiple panes by grids are also a classic design element of the Craftsman aesthetic.
Just like any good DIY project, you can get creative! Your new window grids don’t necessarily need to fall into a traditional category. This is especially true if your windows are not traditionally shaped, like a round or half moon window.
If you’re going with custom window grids, just be sure to layout your plan ahead of time and stick to a consistent style throughout your home to ensure success.
Just as there are many different styles of window grids, there are also different application methods.
You can choose to install your window grids on the outside only, in between glass panes, or what is called a Simulated Divided Light (SDL). SDL has a matching grid pattern on both the exterior and in-between areas of the window to add depth.
You’ll want to choose the right installation technique that suits your skills, time, and budget for this project. Again, stick to one installation method throughout the home if possible.
The first, and often overlooked, step is to clean your windows thoroughly. Make sure there is no dust, fingerprints, or cleaning solution residue left on your windows before you begin.
This step is crucial because anything left behind on your windows will be trapped underneath the grids. If you’re choosing to apply the grid as an SDL on the window, trapped dust can actually be visible if it’s not cleaned.
The first step to a successful window grid project is to correctly measure all the windows in the home and calculate how much grid material you’ll need. Be sure to either purchase grid material that is accurately cut to size or make sure you have a way to cut it yourself to attain a perfect fit.
Measure from the inside of the window frame from one edge to another and write down all dimensions before heading to purchase your materials.
For many grids, assembling them off the window before applying them to the window is easier to ensure that your spacing is consistent and accurate. Take your time with this step — an uneven window grid applied to a window can be a pain to re-do.
Lastly, it’s time to attach your grid to the window. Depending on the type of grid application you chose, this could involve simple connectors to the window frame, or a heavy-duty adhesive made more windows if you’re installing them on the outside.
Window grids can be added to virtually any window and is a great option for anyone who is looking to upgrade their home’s look but can’t afford to replace the windows.
Window grids can be as complicated (and expensive!) as you’d like and are highly customizable to your interior style. So, whether you choose craftsman, prairie, colonial, or another type of window grid, you’re guaranteed to love your home more for it.
If you have questions or need some further inspiration, feel free to send us a message!
