Deciding whether or not to get grilles for your sliding windows? Apart from needing to consider the functional aspect of your windows, there’s really no need to get caught in a gridlock with your choices, given the limitless options homeowners have today.
So, What Is A Grille?
A grille, also called a muntin, is the strip of wood, metal, plastic, or other material used to support and divide window panes into segments or “lites”. They can be highly detailed, finished in a variety of styles and colors, or be very simple and clean. With the patterns, shadows, and overall aesthetic grilles offer, they can be a critical design choice and great architectural feature for your home.
Simulated and True Divided Lites
At a time when manufacturing glass in large sheets was simply impossible, grilles were often used to join small panes of glass, forming “true” divided lites. These days, all those dividers would not only be impractical, but also make the window less efficient at keeping your home insulated.
The design still appeals, however, and that’s where simulated divided lites come in. They combine the use of exterior, interior, and between-the-glass grilles to “simulate” a true division.
Window contractors also offer removable grilles that can come off for easy cleaning, for those who might want a less permanent option.
Grids and Patterns
Window grids can affect the overall look and feel of the house, just as much as shutters and window treatments in a Colonial Home or wide expanses of glass windows in a modern home can. Find which pattern suits your home best — go with the usual to complete the look, or blend architectural styles to add flair.
- Prairie Style: divided into 9 panes, with four small square corner panes and four long rectangular edge frames surrounding one large central pane. This style adds more of a historic character to the home.
- Colonial: equally divided into sets of 9, 6, or 4. The go-to for classic appeal, it’s a must for every Colonial and Tudor home, and a popular choice for new homes as well.
- Craftsman: also known as the short fractional, these are traditionally seen in the two- or three-over-one configuration, with three small panes above a single lower pane of glass. Architectural focal points such as eaves, stone bases, and tapered columns do well with this type of pattern.
- Specialty or Custom Grids: get creative and personalize the details on the grid. You can change the pattern to make the lite spaces bigger or smaller, or go with a new pattern altogether. Victorian and Neo-Victorian homeowners can opt for more elaborate patterns — just remember that the more elaborate the design, the higher the cost may be.
Even when grid-less, sliding windows can still look good. But if the style seems off or feels lacking without grilles, consult your local window professional to find out more about getting the right sliding window grilles for you.
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Author Bio:
Ryan Copple, General Manager in Oklahoma City, understands your home improvement needs, having been in the industry for over 20 years! He makes a habit of going the extra mile for his Renewal by Andersen clients, ensuring that the whole remodeling experience is one of exceptional quality and satisfaction from start to finish. He’s a business builder with an appetite for process improvement and believes that the opportunity to serve our customers on a daily basis is an honor and privilege. Ryan is married with four kids and a grandchild on the way! In Ryan’s spare time, he tries out new restaurants and travels locally and abroad with his wife. He is also an avid trout and salmon fisherman, as well as a pheasant hunter.
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