Should I Choose Grey Window Frames For My Home?
New windows can radically alter the look of a property, and homes with grey window frames are having a real moment
Susannah Hutchison
5 June 2018
Houzz Contributor
They’ve been steadily gaining in popularity over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why – grey window frames make an interesting change and can give a very different finished look from the ubiquitous white.
If you’re weighing up whether they might be the right choice for your own place, take a look at the selection below, which covers the inside and outside of various homes.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
If you’re weighing up whether they might be the right choice for your own place, take a look at the selection below, which covers the inside and outside of various homes.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Add drama
Opting for darker window frames is a clever way to put an individual spin on a classic scheme. These dark grey frames are almost black, and add a contemporary, graphic edge to what is otherwise a traditional-style kitchen.
Grey grouting on the tiles echoes the colour and shape of the frames, and the grey-veined marble island worktop and grey floor tiles help to tie the look together.
Check out this advice on choosing the right windows
Opting for darker window frames is a clever way to put an individual spin on a classic scheme. These dark grey frames are almost black, and add a contemporary, graphic edge to what is otherwise a traditional-style kitchen.
Grey grouting on the tiles echoes the colour and shape of the frames, and the grey-veined marble island worktop and grey floor tiles help to tie the look together.
Check out this advice on choosing the right windows
Leave a white section
Nervous about committing to an all-grey frame? How about leaving a slim white section on the inside, as shown here? This gives the effect of ‘opening up’ the frame, which works particularly well if the rest of the cladding or wall is painted in the same shade as the bulk of the frame.
If you have white uPVC windows and you don’t want to replace them, but fancy a change of colour, there are now specialist materials that will allow you to paint your uPVC window frames.
If painting them isn’t something you feel confident tackling yourself, search online for a specialist company to do it – most use spray paint to get the best finish.
Nervous about committing to an all-grey frame? How about leaving a slim white section on the inside, as shown here? This gives the effect of ‘opening up’ the frame, which works particularly well if the rest of the cladding or wall is painted in the same shade as the bulk of the frame.
If you have white uPVC windows and you don’t want to replace them, but fancy a change of colour, there are now specialist materials that will allow you to paint your uPVC window frames.
If painting them isn’t something you feel confident tackling yourself, search online for a specialist company to do it – most use spray paint to get the best finish.
Paint a traditional sash
Grey frames have been cropping up more and more on new-builds and contemporary-style houses, but they can work just as well on traditional sash windows.
This lead-grey frame gives a slightly moody feel to the room and, teamed with the limewashed floorboards, Persian rug, paler grey walls and the modern staircase, the overall effect is a sophisticated blend of old and new.
Browse the Houzz Shop for a range of rugs
Grey frames have been cropping up more and more on new-builds and contemporary-style houses, but they can work just as well on traditional sash windows.
This lead-grey frame gives a slightly moody feel to the room and, teamed with the limewashed floorboards, Persian rug, paler grey walls and the modern staircase, the overall effect is a sophisticated blend of old and new.
Browse the Houzz Shop for a range of rugs
Go grey at the back…
There’s no rule that says you have to have the same colour windows both front and back of your house. This rear extension has pale grey window frames, but, as the next photo shows, the front of the house looks very different.
Inside, there’s a combination of new windows on the extended part of the house, and grey-painted wooden frames in the older part.
Find the perfect architect for your job on Houzz
There’s no rule that says you have to have the same colour windows both front and back of your house. This rear extension has pale grey window frames, but, as the next photo shows, the front of the house looks very different.
Inside, there’s a combination of new windows on the extended part of the house, and grey-painted wooden frames in the older part.
Find the perfect architect for your job on Houzz
…but keep the front white
The window frames on the front of the house have been painted in traditional white, in keeping with the other houses in the terrace, proving you don’t have to apply the same look to the whole house for a smart finish.
The window frames on the front of the house have been painted in traditional white, in keeping with the other houses in the terrace, proving you don’t have to apply the same look to the whole house for a smart finish.
Match to the woodwork
To make the grey window frames the defining feature in a room, continue the colour on the rest of the woodwork.
In this loft apartment, the pillar, banister and skirting boards have been painted in the same deep grey shade as the window frames to really highlight the contrast with the paler walls.
On a painted window like this, the outside wouldn’t necessarily have to be grey, too. If you live in a conservation area, check with the council before changing the colour of your external window frames.
To make the grey window frames the defining feature in a room, continue the colour on the rest of the woodwork.
In this loft apartment, the pillar, banister and skirting boards have been painted in the same deep grey shade as the window frames to really highlight the contrast with the paler walls.
On a painted window like this, the outside wouldn’t necessarily have to be grey, too. If you live in a conservation area, check with the council before changing the colour of your external window frames.
Try a distressed finish
Of course, we all know there are many shades of grey, but how about combining a few to get a distressed finish like this?
The look is something you can achieve on both metal and wooden window frames: apply suitable paint to the surface, then rub down sections to give a rougher finish.
Search online for different paint effects and how-to videos, and experiment on a separate piece of metal or wood first to make sure you’re happy with the finish before you tackle the whole frame.
Of course, we all know there are many shades of grey, but how about combining a few to get a distressed finish like this?
The look is something you can achieve on both metal and wooden window frames: apply suitable paint to the surface, then rub down sections to give a rougher finish.
Search online for different paint effects and how-to videos, and experiment on a separate piece of metal or wood first to make sure you’re happy with the finish before you tackle the whole frame.
Make it modern
Light grey window frames look fresh and modern against a white exterior. If you’re replacing your windows as part of a bigger renovation, consider the other external elements, such as the render on the house and the choice of material for the patio and any other stonework.
Here, a smooth white render and pale grey paving slabs complement the style of the new windows.
Click on the photo and look at Other Photos in This Project on the right-hand side for ‘before’ pictures of the exterior of this 1980s house.
Light grey window frames look fresh and modern against a white exterior. If you’re replacing your windows as part of a bigger renovation, consider the other external elements, such as the render on the house and the choice of material for the patio and any other stonework.
Here, a smooth white render and pale grey paving slabs complement the style of the new windows.
Click on the photo and look at Other Photos in This Project on the right-hand side for ‘before’ pictures of the exterior of this 1980s house.
Pick a pale grey
Dramatic dark grey makes a real statement, whereas a paler version of the shade gives a much softer look.
This colour is a good middle ground between dark grey and white. It works especially well if you have lots of smaller panes, as it highlights the shape of the windows and picks out the detailing, but isn’t too dominant in the way a darker shade could be.
Dramatic dark grey makes a real statement, whereas a paler version of the shade gives a much softer look.
This colour is a good middle ground between dark grey and white. It works especially well if you have lots of smaller panes, as it highlights the shape of the windows and picks out the detailing, but isn’t too dominant in the way a darker shade could be.
Embrace all grey
If you need to replace all the windows in your home, going grey all over can really transform its look, especially if the outside of your home doesn’t have many other architectural features to make a song and dance about.
Click on the picture for a selection of ‘before’ photos of this 1930s house, with its old white uPVC windows.
Grey windows are also a practical choice, as they won’t discolour in the sun, and even painted grey frames won’t show dirt as much as white ones will.
If you need to replace all the windows in your home, going grey all over can really transform its look, especially if the outside of your home doesn’t have many other architectural features to make a song and dance about.
Click on the picture for a selection of ‘before’ photos of this 1930s house, with its old white uPVC windows.
Grey windows are also a practical choice, as they won’t discolour in the sun, and even painted grey frames won’t show dirt as much as white ones will.
Create interest
In a modern new-build, the rooms can be fairly boxy and featureless, so grey window frames are a good way to add character.
These frames are very unfussy, with large panes, so they let in plenty of light. If you’re considering new windows and your house is on the dark side, it can be worth paying a bit extra to get a bespoke shape that maximises the light.
Tell us…
Are you tempted to fit grey window frames? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
In a modern new-build, the rooms can be fairly boxy and featureless, so grey window frames are a good way to add character.
These frames are very unfussy, with large panes, so they let in plenty of light. If you’re considering new windows and your house is on the dark side, it can be worth paying a bit extra to get a bespoke shape that maximises the light.
Tell us…
Are you tempted to fit grey window frames? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Grey is a hugely popular colour at the moment and there's a lot of sense in what you say. One wonders if the current trend for expansive glazing in new build apartment buildings with masses of grey windows will result in 'eyesores' in the years to come. Hopefully, these now modern buildings won't be regarded as the 60's and 70's flats people don't like very much today.
White and black remains a fairly neutral choice for windows and seems to work well. There are of course, many different shades of grey so a lighter colour could be more appealing. That aside, colour is such a personal choice.
so sick of grey windows already.
Experts in coloured upvc window supply, our very popular, both modern and contemporary style A Rated energy efficient grey upvc windows are based on Anthracite Grey RAL 7016. Window frames are available with a grey woodgrain foil both sides or grey on the outside and white on the inside.