P.S the neighbours windows are dark grey but the stickers are still on whilst they renovate.

It’s all personal preference. I prefer grey frames over white. You could always have white inside if you think the decor would be easier to suit.

Again, personal preference on the opening lights. I don’t like large opening lights. I like to see small openers at the top. I tend to think of the heat in the summer (not that we get lots of heatwaves in the UK) and the fact that I would be happier leaving a small opener open while out of the property for a short time and to sleep with a small window open as opposed to leaving a large one open. It’s security issues for me. Would a vent be sufficient for through air?

I prefer white frames. But I don’t think bricking up some of the window is a good idea. You’ll be amazed how much it impacts the light in the room. Why move from lovely big windows to smaller ones? I think it’s helpful to have small opening windows, as you currently have. If it were my house I’d be relaxing the windows with clear glass, but probably the same configuration as at present.

If I had to choose between the two properties based on external appearance, I would go for the one with the larger windows every time. We wonder why we don't connect with world outside our homes, shrinking windows sizes don't help! 

As others have suggested, retain the dimensions of your windows - have you thought about a tone of sage green with plain glass in the same confirguration?

Hey Kazzh

Thank you for your suggestions. I have toyed with other colour ideas but really not 100% sure. I will definitely go with plain glass though, I hate the leading, it wasn’t our choice.

Thank you all for your comments so far. I totally agree with the security issue and I’m keeping the little openers.. they do really come in handy plus safer for little ones falling out of a big opening being left open- not that mine are so little anymore but for re sale could be an issue? I’m glad I mentioned making the window smaller as most agree this wouldn’t be right which would save us money too… win win. Thanks again

Personally I think the small top openers are very dated - very 70s/80s. Flush casement windows look much better with equal pane sizes. Ours can be locked with a very small air gap for ventilation. Colour is personal preferece and i dont think either would date but definitely white on the inside.

top photo is our house, bottom one is a random reno - most people are changing to the more updated look. No top openers would make them cheaper too! BUT its your house so I wouldnt worry about resale and do what works for you. Maybe 3 panes on the big windows would work better and break up the view less?

I do agree, they do look more contemporary for sure. It’s good to know that you can leave them on a vent opening. I like the idea of bigger panes, however the reason I think 4 works better is because the little window would look symmetrical with 2 of the same size pane and would then still open. My husband also makes a good argument that the top lights already add to the blocking of light, with those gone it would be around the same amount of frame as having the 4 plain panes… so not much extra loss of light. If we went with this 4 pane style we would have to brick up the lounge window though as the windows don’t come in that style so deep.

I really like the colour of yours too. May I ask what colour it is please ?

And are they real wood? Your house is lovely though in comparison :-)

Ah thank you. I still wonder if i should have stayed traditional and gone with white 🤪 but I do like them. They are heritage pvc flush casements in agate grey but they look like wood and most people think they are even on the inside. Our tallest ones are 1m20 I think?

this was the worst one in terms of ’losing glass space’ but i love them so much more so ive never noticed it since taking thus photo during installation!

they are these!

Yeah our opening is 1.5 M deep. We tried putting it in and it said we couldn’t then have openers just dummies. Did you go for a wood grain effect? We are looking at Logic and heritage. .. So modern UPVC company and Direct windows company.

I absolutely love that colour on your house you definitely made the right choice. Shame I can’t make the same tricky decisions :-) for my house!

Thank you for the link 👍🏻

We are on a budget though as we are also extending at the back, need a new front door, garage door, French door or similar.. so have to be careful on costings but I will certainly give it a look. Many thanks.

Just wading in with my tuppence worth! I agree that top openers look really dated. Ours are openable (like Annas') but on a latch for security and they don't let rain in - I love ours. Good luck!

We did the back of our house last year and spent a long time working out whether to have transoms or not. We went without in the end and are happy with our choice, much prefer the look. However, now going through exactly the same dilemma as you about colour and transoms at the front. We’re so close to ordering but struggling to commit. Going with flush casement in grey (probably quartz grey) outside, white inside but we keep dithering about having transoms because those are the rooms we sleep in. Like you, we have a 60’s house with huge windows - the deepest being 141 cm. We keep thinking about transoms giving better security if opening the window at night. Also, having a transom would reduce the weight of the bottom openers - we’ve had to have the window company return to adjust the back windows as we went with three equal (large) panes at the back. Seriously thinking instead of going for four equal panes at the front.
I like your neighbours four panes - yes, in flush casement there may be a little bit more frame but you’ll have the benefit of equal sight lines. You’ll also see a marked improvement in light coming through from changing from leaded glass to plane glass, just like we did at the back. I think they look so much more modern without those top openers.

Anna Pritchard, very nice windows - they really suit your home. Are they top or side opening?

Thank you. They are side opening and where there are 3 panes the 2 side panes open. At the back where they are slightly wider we have 4 panes and the middle 2 open with a floating mullion in the middle.

Have you thought about tilt and turn windows for ventilation and security?

I’m not sure about the opening inwards part. I really haven’t got the extra space to be honest. Thanks for the idea though as I’ve only just looked really.

I went through this exact same issue a couple of months ago on our renovation - choosing the windows was a complete nightmare of constant changes. We ended up with these which I absolutely love. I’m still not convinced about the loss of the little openers in terms of security and ventilation but I decided on aesthetics over practicality. Only time will tell if I made the right choice!!

I agree with 88WJ88 ... I think Tilt and Turn could be a good option to consider ... good ventilation while still having security. I'm changing my own windows, have done loads of research and I think it's a great option.

We recently replaced ours after lots of back and throwing with designs. we wanted grey but decided against due to contemplating with how long they'll "stay fahsionable". In the end we went with white & decided to not have the diamond lead this time wheich we thing made them look more modern and lighter inside.

We used a really useful website www.windowsplusonline.co.uk where we were able to design them ourselves to suit what we wanted. They do offer a range of colours and designs and as someone said above grey exterior and white interior also seemed a really good idea. Sorry would upload pictures but computer isn't letting more for some reason.

We did this last year (or the year before!) & we kept the envelope windows for airflow & security. Our neighbour regrets getting rid of his envelope windows. I do prefer the look without but for practical reasons am happy with our choice.

This is what we did…

Hi Claire. The casement windows look good. We did similar last year and are happy with them, I don’t think you lose light once you get the taller panes in. What I haven’t found is good security latches that can be retrofitted. Have you (or other posters) found any that are secure and not too clunky?

Thanks Lynette. Sorry no I haven’t actually looked tbh so can’t help you there.