The Perfect Window Style For Every Opening In Your Beach Home

Homeowners often think that they need to keep all the windows on their home the same style. But while sticking with all casements or all hung windows can make for a cohesive look, it's not necessary. Sometimes, function is more important than appearance. For this reason, you may want to consider combining a few different window styles on your beach home. Here are some suggestions for the best window style for each opening in your home.

Small, Beach-Facing Windows

You want the ability to catch breezes coming right off the lake, but you don't want a lot of sand or rain blowing in with the breeze. Awning windows placed in your small front windows provide the perfect solution. Awning windows crank open on hinges mounted at the top of the frame. This results in a wide window opening through which plenty of breeze can blow. But the opening window provides a shield in front of the opening, keeping rain from coming in and also blocking a lot of sand.

Awning windows are great for mounting above counters, on bathroom walls, and in other small openings. Usually, they are wider than they are tall. 

Windows On the Sides of the Home

Since the breeze usually blows in off the water, you may assume the windows on the side of the home are useless for ventilation. But with casement windows, this is not the case at all. Casement windows are mounted on hinges to one side of the frame. Then swing open like a door. If you have them mounted so that they open away from the beach-facing side of your home, the window will act as a funnel, diverting the breezes into your home.

Casement windows are a better choice for the downstairs of your beach home than for the upstairs. Since they open wide, they do present a bit of a risk to kids, who might fall through the window from the second story and become injured. 

Windows Against a Patio

Living on the beach, you probably spend a lot of time outside on your patio. If you use a casement or awning window in the opening against the patio, the window will become an obstruction when it's open. So, a better choice for patio-facing window openings is sliding windows.

Sliding windows push open to one side. The window stays within the sash, even when it is open. This way, you can put patio furniture and decor right up against the window without worry.

Top-Story Windows

A small window opening in a top-story bathroom might do well with an awning window. But in general, double-hung windows work best in the larger, standard window openings on your top floor. You can put a window air conditioner or box fan right in the open double-hung window, which helps you bring more air into the home. If you have kids or pets, you can open the window from the top, making the window opening less accessible and reducing the risk of injuries.

Double-hung windows are also a good choice for the second story because they're easy to clean. Most models tilt inward so you can clean the outside of the window from inside your home. This keeps you from having to climb a ladder to clean the windows, as you would have to do with most casement or sliding windows. (Cleaning these on the first floor is not hard since you only have to get up on a small step ladder.)

When choosing windows for a beach home, make sure you keep function in mind. Start with these recommendations, and ask your window replacement company for more advice. You can also check out webpages like this one.