Top Dos and Don'ts When Picking a Window Frame Color

Top Dos and Don'ts When Picking a Window Frame Color

February 6, 2023
By:
Martin Whitmore, President of US Window & Door
fixed window in modern house interior

Do you need to choose windows for your home? When remodeling or building a new home, the color of your window frames can significantly impact the overall appearance. 

It's time for new windows! It's an exciting project to take on. A new set of replacement windows can easily transform the interior and exterior of your home. 

Your windows protect your home, let in light, and can provide you with additional ventilation. If you're into interior design, the whole process should be fun, especially when choosing the paint or stain finish for your windows.

You can count on our window company in San Diego to help you choose the best window color for your home!

As you choose your colors of windows,  keep these things tips in mind: 

Do's

Your home can benefit from windows in many ways - they let in light, provide ventilation, and much more. Choosing the right paint color or stain finish for your new windows is an important (and fun) part of the process. 

Our San Diego window replacement company is here to tell you the do's and don't for choosing window colors

Consider Your San Diego Home's Style

The color of your window frame should complement the rest of your home. Choose a window color that complements your exterior material.

Brick exteriors are traditionally paired with white window frames. Black and brown windows look best against stone exteriors.

Always remember – these rules aren't set in stone. Your house is an extension of your personal style. What sort of vibe do you want to exude? The options are endless!

Go Back to the Classics

Colors that are neutral appeal to the largest audience. Guests feel comfortable and at home when they stay with them.

In the past, neutrals meant beige or tan, but why limit yourself to the colors of the past? "Cool" neutrals, like grays, blacks, and navy, are all the rage, perfect for adding a contemporary touch to any room.

Select the Right Material

Make sure you choose a window manufacturer whose colors and materials are ideal for you. Vinyl, fiberglass, wood, and aluminum are the most common window materials.

All-natural and renewable, wood is a relatively good insulator. It can be painted in any color or finished with lots of natural colors. In addition, it is one of the more affordable frame materials (but it does require regular maintenance and is susceptible to moisture and insect damage).

modern living room with viny window frame material

Aluminum windows are very durable and sturdy. In addition to being very low maintenance, they are also recyclable! Due to aluminum's metal conductivity, heat is lost more easily.

Vinyl windows are popular because they are resistant to moisture, insects, and corrosion. They are relatively inexpensive and require little maintenance. Keep in mind that vinyl windows do not perform well in cold climates.

Frames made of fiberglass are lightweight, durable, and strong. As a result, they are highly insulating and resist expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. The fiberglass option is usually more expensive, but it will last for a long time.

Match Your Existing Color Palette 

Choose window frame colors based on what's already in your home. Color palettes can be classified as "warm" or "cool."

  • Warm Color Palette: red, brown, tan, orange, yellow
  • Cool Color Palette: gray, purple, black, green, blue

Even with a stark contrast in tone (dark gray against light gray), staying within your palate should help you narrow down your home window colors. You will rarely miss the mark if you match cools with cools and warms with warms.

Match Your Home's Decor 

Knowing what vinyl window frame colors will work with your current plan is the biggest challenge. It's important that your windows complement your decor, not detract from it.

To get started, here are some rules of thumb:

With rustic or traditional decor, contrasted windows work well. To set off soothing taupe walls, add a warm cinnamon trim.

It is common for modern color palettes to blend seamlessly together. Choose tones that are similar but different enough to evoke tech-forward subtlety if urban chic is what you're after.

Consider Your Location

You probably breathe a lot of dust and grime if you live in an urban area. Grime can be seen in both very light and very dark tones. For hiding grime, mid-tones may be the best option.

Even the most energy-efficient vinyl windows in hot climates, like San Diego, will undermine your energy efficiency if their dark color absorbs lots of sunlight and transmits it into your home. 

Select the Same Colors for All Windows 

You should keep your color choices consistent across all of your windows, even if you choose different interior and exterior colors. 

Your home will look cohesive from the outside and from the inside when you are walking from room to room. It can be overwhelming for the eye to have different colors in each room, which ultimately disrupts the natural flow of your home. 

Coordinate With Your Wall Color 

Window frames that match your wall color is still safe but make a little more of a style statement. This is an easy way to embrace the trend of tone-on-tone looks. For a cohesive look, you can also go a few shades lighter than your wall color. 

house with white walls and white frame windows

Is your home decorated with beautiful wood floors, carpets, or cabinets? By matching window frames with other finishes or furniture, you can bring natural wood tones to your windows.

US Window and Door offers a variety of window colors to suit your home's style. We offer products from top-name brands like Milgard, so you can get the right product for your home. 

Don'ts

When choosing your window frame color, avoid these mistakes.

Be Afraid To Play With Colors

It's the exterior colors that can make a statement. You should not be afraid to pick a bold color as long as it complements your exterior paint and trim. Because exteriors are painted less often than interiors, and you'll be using a single color, you don't have to worry about matching your future design whims as much as you do with interior window frames. 

Modern homes feature dark, bold colors such as black, dark red, purple, green, and orange. At the moment, black is especially trendy. If you prefer a more traditional look with just a hint of color, you can opt for a subtle, washed-out pastel. 

Contrast or Blend In 

The light shades of white and other light shades draw attention to the architectural details of the window. In contrast, dark shades blend in better with glass, creating a smoother appearance. However, these aren't the only options. 

Milgard windows, for example, offer a variety of custom colors and can often match your needs to the color they provide. A different color might be the best choice for a unique or custom home.

Don't stick out, but try to stand out.

It's relatively easy and affordable to change paint colors, unlike windows, which are a much larger investment. It's relatively easy and affordable to change paint colors; unlike windows, which are much larger bold colors, you can go to town with your paint colors. Of course, for every design rule of mine, I am always looking for opportunities to break it.

There's something to be said for doing things differently than everyone else. Go ahead and choose a bolder hue for your window frames if you aren't afraid of color.

If you choose to go this route, the surrounding color should be neutral or in a similar family to the frame. Milgard's Essence Series color Pea Pod, for example, would look fantastic with a medium-to-dark gray or dark green house color.

In most cases, your house does not stand alone when it comes to curb appeal. The unit is part of a larger neighborhood complex. There is a fine line between standing out a little and sticking out like a sore thumb. Take a look at the colors used in your neighbors' windows. A good rule of thumb is to choose something that complements rather than clashes. Occasionally, your neighbors may have done something a little crazy or wild.

Don't Fall For Trends That Come and Go 

Be very careful not to fall for trends regarding your window colors - both inside and outside your home. As windows are expensive to replace, your chosen color will likely last a very long time. As long as you take the style of the house into account and choose something complementary, you will not regret your choice.

Keeping up with current trends is fun, but it may not be the best idea for windows. Whether you choose a color for the interior or exterior, this color will likely last for years. For regular maintenance, you'll need to be able to replicate the color of your wood windows. 

modern-houses with attractive  window frame color

You should not be discouraged from choosing bold colors but choose them wisely. Bold colors can draw attention to your home, so make sure to use them strategically. 

Consider pairing bright or bold colors with neutrals on the surrounding walls, or choose a color for the siding and go with something more subtle on the windows if you like. Your doors, planters, and other accessories around your home can also be decorated with color.

Forget to Decide Between Traditional or Modern Style 

A wide range of colors is available for windows, and some manufacturers even offer custom colors. When choosing colors, consider your home's architecture and your own style. Decide on a palette that works for you, your home, and your neighborhood. Using a color palette, you can limit your options and choose colors that work well together. 

Reds, yellows, oranges, and browns are traditional colors. Modern styles use cooler tones such as greens, blues, purples, and grays. White and black window frames work well with most design styles, which are very popular now. 

Let US Window and Door Help You With Window Upgrades 

It is important to choose the right color for the right window frames. We at US Window and Door have the expertise and tools to get you the right windows and install them properly.

When choosing exterior home colors, you should consider your home's property value and curb appeal. You can increase the value of your home by choosing neutral colors to make it more marketable when you decide to sell it.

US Window and Door has the right window color for your home. For more information, contact our experienced team today. If you want us to upgrade your windows, schedule a free in-home estimate today!