Black Windows: Are They the Best Choice For Your New Build?
Black windows are a hot trend right now, but are they here to stay? Here’s everything you need to know to decide if they are the best choice for your new build and if they are more expensive.
Are Black Widows the Best Choice For Your New Build?
White exterior with black exterior windows is all the rage right now. You’ve probably seen many pictures circulating Pinterest with the classic European farmhouse look. While black windows are commonly seen on farmhouse style homes, it’s definitely not limited to it. Trends like this usually last 10 years and then what? Will your black windows look out of date? Not so fast. Black windows actually date back to the early twentieth century when they were first used in warehouses and then eventually residential.
I do not think black is trendy and will be the next golden oak era, but there are other considerations before deciding if black windows are best for your new build.
Do Black Windows Cost More?
On average, black windows are more expensive than white window frames between 10-20%. You are getting a more dominant, visual look when using black so there is an increase in cost to do it. There are several other factors that impact price for your windows.
Iron clad black windows are much more expensive than vinyl windows. Oftentimes you can get vinyl windows in a bronze or black finish on the exterior with a paintable white interior. This gives you flexibility on doing black on your exterior and white on your interior. Or, if you want to go with black on the interior as well, you can paint the vinyl interiors to achieve the black look without breaking the back. CC and Mike go in more detail about how they saved thousands of dollars by using vinyl windows and painting the interiors black without buying the expensive black aluminum windows for the entire house.
Just because you decide on black windows for the exterior, that doesn’t mean you must do black windows on the interiors as well. You can even do a couple rooms in your home black windows on the interior and keep the rest if you’d like. For example, if you have a beautiful wall of windows in your great room looking out your backyard, you may like the idea of using black interior windows in that space, but not in the rest of your home.
Choosing black interior windows is a bold look and you must be prepared for the commitment. Windows are a permanent fixture in your design and will be there for years and years. It can be challenging to decorate such bold, dark windows if you aren’t prepared and remember, they will ALWAYS be a part of your overall design. You must repeat black elsewhere in your room if using black windows in order for it to make sense. This means you will be decorating with black as long as the windows are in and you may not want that commitment.
Notice how in all of the photos with black interior windows, each room has elements of black. This helps tie the windows in so they don’t feel out of place. If you love the idea of black in every room then this might be a good option for you.
Which leads me to…
Window coverings. If you do decide on black interior windows, you most definitely don’t want to cover them up! Especially if you are paying more for them. I don’t know a single home that doesn’t have window coverings so you will want to take that into account. Rooms with blinds or shades down the majority of the time may not make sense with black interior windows. A standard white wood blind will not look right with black interiors so you will need to get an alternative blind or roman shade or drapery that’s more fitting that is also more expensive.
Chances are the pictures you see on Pinterest with black interior windows are UNCOVERED. Go ahead and look, I’ll wait 🙂 This is of course because black windows are beautiful left alone, but that isn’t practical for most of us.
What About Black Windows on the Exterior?
Windows during the day already look black because of the glass. Which means black cladding is completely unnoticeable unless the window has coverings on the interior. See picture below as an example.
The inspiration photos you probably have of black exterior windows are photographed with interior lights on so the windows don’t just look like black holes and to highlight the black cladding. Again, black exterior windows look beautiful when lights are on, at dusk, without window coverings 🙂
Black exterior windows do not go with every single exterior. An earthy toned brick may look better with white windows than black.
Personally, I think black windows are absolutely stunning when used in the right setting. When deciding if they are right for your home there are several considerations you should take and decide whether they are worth the extra costs. If you have a location that’s sheltered by trees or your neighbors aren’t close and it’s a beautiful mountain view, then black exterior windows might be the perfect choice.
I hope this helps you with your decision if black windows are the best choice for you!
Related: Should You Do Herringbone Wood Floors in Your Home?
