Mid Century Modern Windows Have Style, Glass

If you are in the process of buying a mid century modern home or thinking about redecorating your mid century modern home, considering the windows and what kinds of window treatments are right for you is a big responsibility. If you are a Mid Century Modern purist, you may want to think about very simple, neutral windows and treatments. If you are more into the fun and funky side of the Mid Century era, you may want to think bright, bold and outrageous.

The houses designed and built by Joseph Eichler, in the post war period, set the stage for what has become today one of the most sought after modern homes of the era. Eichler homes were notable for their post-and-beam construction which allowed windows to be the focal point of the home.

Many decorators say your home's beauty starts with its' windows. So, when thinking about the windows in your Mid Century Modern home think about one of their roles being to bring light in and drive away gloom and drab. Natural light in a room can enhance the beauty of the furniture and accessories in the room; as well as you mood. Another role for windows is to let you look out doors at nature and the beauty of your yard's landscaping or the natural landscape. Most windows can be opened to bring in fresh air and the sounds and smell of nature. Are any of these roles what you have in mind for the windows in your home?

If you said yes to some and no to others, then this tells you a lot about the type of windows you want in your home -or at least in certain rooms in your home. If you do not care about opening the windows, you can use panes of glass that let light in but do not open. If you want to let the outdoors into your home as much as possible, then your choice of windows will be quite different.

There were about 18 different styles of windows in use during the Mid Century Modern era. Most of them are still in use but may have had some changes made in their construction and style over the last 60 years.

The most common window of the era was the Double-hung Window which had two sashes that would slide up and down to open and close the window.

The In-swinging Windows opened into the home while the Out-swinging Windows opened to the outside.

The Ranch or Strip Window was often wide and set high off the floor.

The Awning Window had wide, horizontal sashes that opened outward to any angle.

The Jalouise Window had narrow, horizontal strips of glass that typically used a crank for opening.

The Picture Window was exactly what it said...a frame of sorts for a picture of the outdoors.

Dormer Windows were usually small windows jutting out away from the house to make an alcove-like room.

Bay Windows were three or more windows that were placed at an angle to each other.

A Bow Window curved and sometimes was called a circular Bay Window.

Slanting Windows or cathedral windows -with their recognizable angle at the top -typically took up an entire wall of a room.

Double Windows were side by side.

Corner Windows came together at the corner of a room.

French Doors were sometimes called French Windows and came in pairs opening on to a porch or patio.

Sliding Glass Doors were the modern counter-part of French Doors. They were often built into the wall and were sometimes used as part of a glass wall.

Clerestory Windows were shallow windows placed near the ceiling.

The Arched Window was any window that had an arched top.

The Glass Wall was a group of basic window units made to fit together to create a veritable wall of windows.

Once you determine the kinds and style of windows you want in your home, your next job will be to plan the window treatments that will fit your personal style and represent the Mid Century Modern era. If you are interested in Mid Century Modern style, you might want to check out the links at the end of this article. One of them is to an E-Bay store typically offering over 200 Mid Century Modern items for the home and for personal use.