Thoughts on grey windows?

8 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi Houzzers, another Sunday dilemma (sorry!). Looking to order new windows for the front of our 1930s terrace house and not sure what colour to do for. We went for grey aluminium at the back as we had to change windows during loft conversion / back extension work. We absolutely hate the current windows which are brown and make the front rooms appear very dark as they don't get the sun. We are unsure whether to match the back (slate grey origin) or play safe and stick to white which is more in line with the rest of the street and what the original would have been. Would really appreciate your thoughts! Deep down we prefer grey but little concerned that this is just a trend and could potentially impact future sale if like the brown upvc they 'go out of fashion'! Would really appreciate your thoughts

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Ffion Francis
Original Author

7 years ago

Sorry for being so slow in posting photos! We decided to go with white in the front and super happy with the result especially having had it re-painted last week....next job is the front garden! Getting there slooooowly.... :). see before in the original post & after pic!

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Comments (57)

msclelluk
8 years ago
White or match those on the back.
Ffion Francis thanked msclelluk
Bev Hine
8 years ago
Once not so many years ago your wooden look front windows were the contempary option then , grey looks fab but I wonder if they will be the wooden look of the future so I would go white
Ffion Francis thanked Bev Hine
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Victoria
8 years ago
White. Grey windows are the default choice at the moment and I feel they will date.
Ffion Francis thanked Victoria
lisa77226
8 years ago
White. I have a thing about deviating too far from the prevailing look throughout the rest of the street, I feel it takes something desirable away. I like your grey windows and think they look great in the back but for the front from a curb appeal perspective I think you'd regret it. There are other ways to personalise and be trendy that would add to curb appeal. Landscaping with grey stones or interesting planting, or maybe a contemporary grey slate house number plaque.
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Wood Window Alliance
8 years ago
Back looks great. Front should be white. They would look a million times better as timber replacements - double-glazed but with the original profiles. It would transform the house, and probably increase its value too. I haven't got quite the right shot, but here are a couple of similar houses.
Ffion Francis thanked Wood Window Alliance
PRO
User
8 years ago
Still prefer houses to have matching windows throughout for cohesion. I particularly dislike white windows on white rendered backgrounds, as the windows are lost. You don't need to stick with Aluminium and thinner frames at the front as it's perfectly easy to have UPVC in dark grey, you just have to find the right supplier, go for an independant, they're more likely to have a bigger range, and some do all RAL colours. Then you can have same colour but different material and more in keeping with the frontage. Personally i'd render the whole front in white and have the fascias, soffits, windows and door to match the dark grey.
Ffion Francis thanked User
Wendy White
8 years ago
Why don't you go for timber frames? That way you can't paint them grey just now, then paint them another colour in the future if they do start to look dated.
Verena Anina Zausch
8 years ago
This is actually a tricky question. I love the modern optic of the grey aluminium windows at the back... but on the other hand I like the idea of having the same color as the other houses on the street to blend with the neighbors. I truly love white classic windows on brick as well, this is something that never looks old or out of trend, since it's classic and Victorian-style. White windows on brick is actually an image me as a German associate with english houses. I really like the idea so go on for white windows (and yes: get rid of the brown ones...)
Mark Allen
8 years ago
I would definitely go with the grey, much more contemporary, fits in with what you have done in the back and is sympathetic to the period.
PRO
GHS Special Projects
8 years ago
Definitely grey to match the back of the house also Grey is the colour right now. If this is the colour you are drawn to now, I'd go for it and not worry about whether it would feel dated later. Trend cycles will last for a good few years. You could get them re-coated when the time comes. There are specialist companies that can do that.
Ffion Francis thanked GHS Special Projects
ste115
8 years ago
I would definitely go with grey, don't worry about the surrounding houses, let them worry how their houses look against what yours will look like. The back looks great, great job.
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suzannahk
8 years ago
Go wood then you could have grey now and repaint white if it ages. uPVC of any colour on a period property is going to look pretty bad and not add value, Wood casements would add value and give the option of changing your mind later. My prefernce would be go white btw :) but think the grey would look good too.
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PRO
AL PAINTING
8 years ago
i would go for two tones of grey for woodwork and walls..
Ffion Francis thanked AL PAINTING
Ffion Francis
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow! Thanks so much for all the great comments and suggestions!

As for material, although we would love to re-instate the wooden windows, for ease of maintenance we have decided to stick with aluminium to match the rear.
We are however hoping to replace the door with an original wooden 1930s style so would also appreciate any advice on door frame colour to match if we decide to go with grey....which I think we're still leaning towards!!
G Arnold
8 years ago
Grey gets my vote, but then again I am biased as that is what we fitted :) before and after (well, more "intermediate") below
Ffion Francis thanked G Arnold
Sarah Sea
8 years ago
Windows throughout look so much better when they all match. Good Luck
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Pat Auld
8 years ago
Why don't you paint the Windows u have. Then u can always change the colour if you want to
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S
8 years ago
Grey for sure.
Ffion Francis thanked S
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Designer Range
8 years ago
The range of colours available for windows and doors now really allow the home owner freedom to make quite an impact! it's not all about performance any more.

We have seen a huge surge in bespoke colours being choosen.
Ffion Francis thanked Designer Range
oliviaamywicks
8 years ago
If I am honest grey and white are both quite bland options, have you thought about yellow at all?
Sarah Sea
8 years ago
I have a 1930s semi and have all the internal doors still. I wanted a warm and secure with privacy for my front door. I purchased a composite door which is the safest I know of (videos on you tube) . In keeping with the 1930s I found the Newark design by Rock door looks amazing, I have black but there is a variety of colours. Let me know if you would like a photo. S
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pavinia
8 years ago
I would vote for grey at the back, white up front
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Designer Range
8 years ago
R9 windows allow for a very traditional look with low maintenance and are conservation approved! catalogue link for viewing!
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Designer Range
8 years ago
my colour preference is coarse grey
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iolosdad
8 years ago
Our neighbours have put very dark grey windows in on their 30's semi and it's transformed the house !
I've just spray painted our wet room window on the inside with dark grey and it looks like a new window!
Come back and show us the finished look ?
Ffion Francis
Original Author
8 years ago
@Designer Range that is a lovely colour! The choices really are endless! I think if we go for grey we will match the back which is slate grey (RAL 2015 from memory). This project from Houzz was the original inspiration for the grey at the back:

Marc and Steph, Wilesdon Green (NW London) · More Info

Also think the front looks very nice in grey although our bay window is curved rather than squared off:

Marc and Steph, Wilesdon Green (NW London) · More Info

Other than this I haven't seen many 1930s properties with grey windows. Has anyone seen any other examples?
PRO
Louise Jackson Interior Design Ltd
8 years ago
I would recommend graphite grey. It will coordinate with the back windows but also gives a more contemporary feel to the house from the front. The white render and door will need to be altered to blend and coordinate with the new window colour.
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Ray Ray
8 years ago
Grey is lovely now, but will date. 1920s/1930s houses are what they are. So many are being 'modernised' to look like new- builds. A slate roof would not, originally, have been used, but that's why grey window frames work with this look.

If you want white frames in the front, why not go for slimmer frames which don't impact on the eye as much as heavy pvc ones.
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AL PAINTING
8 years ago
I think it should be Willesden Green :) I've painted myself whole house exterior in grey in that area, I think you can find quite a lot of houses painted in grey in Willesden..
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stabmonkey
8 years ago
White.
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Lauren
8 years ago
I think people forget that original 1930's windows were often thin framed aluminium crittal ones. Almost all these have been replaced by white wood or upvc due to the originals being terrible at heat conservation.
I have a copy of the original booklet advertising the local 1930's homes in Ruislip Manor which has a advert photo showing the style of windows that would have been installed as standard. So going with the grey aluminium is actually completely in keeping with its age.
I also love grey and soft green for front doors (the one shown is farrow and ball pigeon no 25.)
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asiupek
8 years ago
I like the grey windows on the back but think that white ones will look smarter on the front elevation.
Ffion Francis thanked asiupek
PRO
Grants Bespoke Blinds and Shutters
8 years ago
Love the grey
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PRO
Sean Doyle & Sons
8 years ago
White is timeless
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John McCall Architects
8 years ago
The grey windows at the rear look good, but I think that the dark grey on the front might be a little too bold for the elevation. On some of our recent projects we have used a much lighter grey, which looks smart without taking over the façade and creates some distinction between the white render and the fenestration. Depending upon your interior décor I generally suggest white on the inside.
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PRO
Allister Godfrey Architects Ltd
7 years ago
I agree with John McCall, we have a client who has opted for RAL 7040 for window frames and 4009 for the front door ... both will be set off with Idigbo timber cladding and Cotswold Buff brickwork from Coleford Brick and Tile Co.
Miss Petunia
7 years ago
Going for anthracite UPVC Windows but I'm unsure whether to go white or anthracite on inside, what did you do? What do others advise? Thanks
Ffion Francis
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi @Miss Petunia. So we actually went for grey aluminium at the back. In hindsight I wish we had gone for white on the inside just to lighten the rooms but it's fine as we get a lot of light in the back (south facing). For the front windows we decided on white in the end even though it took us a while to make final decision especially as there was a real mix of views on here :) Very pleased that we did though as @Sean Doyle & Sons says white is timeless it just looks in keeping with the rest of the street and then the grey at the back adds a little wow factor. Will post some photos so you can see!
S
7 years ago
White inside Miss Petuna
Miss Petunia
7 years ago
Thanks Ffion and Shelly, that's helpful. We are planning on currently just doing the back to match where we have a new extension with grey aluminium bifolds. We are also south facing at the back but white sounds like best option inside to keep things light. Like you Ffion we may stick to white outside and in for front when we get round to that phase. Thanks for your responses I hadn't realised how many decisions they are to make on windows alone!
Orange
7 years ago
Any pics?? I'm currently in the white or grey conundrum!!?
Niamh Courtney
7 years ago
House next door looks great! I would be in favour of working with the street scape. You can then choose any colour (as a focal point) for your door. Why not invest in some great planters etc to create the wow factor, giving you that kerb appeal you're looking for.
Christian J A
6 years ago
Right choice. Great thread. Really helpful.
Emily O'Byrne
6 years ago
If you are getting new windows get grey on the out side and white inside, if you can match the front windows to the back.
HU-954174344
4 years ago
I would go with black upvc windows at the front I think they would look really classy and different. I have an original 1930s round bay window fronted house with the original leaded lights they are beautiful mine is one of only two houses on the street with the original windows. As you can imagine they really need replacing but I cannot bear to let them go but if I have to I would be different and go for grey upvc. Or black.
lisa77226
4 years ago
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Nothing like reviving a several years old thread :)

I really like what you chose in the end and it looks really classy but how I want to add a wrapped around the bay window box spilling over with lots of bold colours! (Seasonally changed of course
j ba
4 years ago
Right choice, well done
sksj1
4 years ago
White to complement the period frontage.
E D
4 years ago
Why are we still responding to a thread that concluded over two years ago?

:)