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Expert: - 3/22/2010


Question
We are considering Divided Lite Windows (2 over 2) for the front of the house.  Does this then dictate that all other windows in remainder of the house follow suit ??

Answer
Hello Kent - thanks for your question!

Ideally, your home design is conceived three-dimensionally; (some call it "4-sided architecture" but I consider that a redundancy).  Either way, that means that each facade of the house is fully composed and doesn't deserve any more or less design attention than any other side.

That doesn't necessarily mean that all the windows have the same light patterns; what it does mean is that each side of the house has windows appropriate to the composition of that facade.

But assuming that you don't have a fully-developed 4-sided home design, then you can take some license with the windows.  Keep in mind the following general rules about windows:

- American Colonial derived styles always use double-hung windows
- European derived styles almost always use casement windows
- Never mix window styles - no casements and double-hungs on the same house
- Windows should have similar proportions to each other and to the house in general

A wonderful, practical resource is "Get Your House Right" by Marianne Cusato.  It's available on Amazon and if you care about the appearance of your house it is worth it's weight in gold!  She spends a great deal of time on windows - answering just the sort of questions you're asking.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtastudio.blogspot.com
www.rtaplans.com  

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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