7 Window Grilles to Enhance Your Property’s Curb Appeal

In this article, you will learn:
1. What are Window Grilles?
2. The 4 Types of Window Grilles
3. Pros and Cons of Window Grilles
4. 7 Styles of Window Grilles That Will Enhance Your Property’s Curb Appeal

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Window grilles are an excellent way for Canadian homeowners to enhance the beauty and value of their homes without the expense of traditional window replacements.

With a variety of styles, patterns, colours and materials to choose from, window grilles are an affordable option to not only upgrade the look and feel of your home, but potentially improve safety and security as well!

At Stouffville Glass, we offer a wide selection of window grille options to suit the needs, style and budget of just about every homeowner.

The following guide will explore the purpose, styles, pros and cons of residential window grilles to help you make better decisions for your home:

What Are Window Grilles?

Although most people have seen window grilles on a home before, not everyone is as familiar with what they are called!

Window grilles are the decorative frames laid over (or within) the glass panels to create a visually-appealing pattern or design. Ranging in shapes, styles and patterns, window grilles create a multi-pane appearance to look like a variety of smaller panes instead of just one.

When glass windows were first invented, glass makers had to create smaller individual panes that were held together by a frame because the glass was too delicate and easy to break. This type of window installation was popular until manufacturers were able to produce large, single panes of glass which could be transported and installed without the risk of damage.

Despite these manufacturing changes, many people still prefer
the visual appearance of multi-paned windows, particularly in Colonial, Cape
Cod, or Victorian-style homes.

To replicate the appearance of traditional home windows, manufacturers now offer grilles in a variety of different materials:

• Aluminum:

  Made from economical materials, aluminum window grilles are permanently sealed between insulated glass window panes to create a smooth glass surface.

  Rust-proof and easy to clean, these window grilles are the lightest on the market and come in a variety of colours and designs to match the interior and exterior window frames.

  A disadvantage however, is that they are not as strong or energy-efficient as their alternatives. Easy to cut through, this economical choice might not be the best option for those looking to increase the safety of their homes.

• Wood:

  Although wooden window grilles are generally more expensive than their alternatives, they also provide a luxurious and natural aesthetic to any style of home.

  Available in fixed and removable options, the natural colour of wooden window grilles would have to be painted in order to match the interior and exterior window frames, making them a bit more high-maintenance than other materials.

  While wood is also easy to cut through with the right tools, these window grille options may not be the most suitable to homeowners looking to increase safety.

• Iron:

  Available in wrought-iron or cast iron (wrought-iron being the sturdiest), iron window grilles are the strongest and heaviest materials on the market.

  Affordable and easy to customize, iron window grilles can be molded into various shapes and sizes to suit the style and preferences of any style of home.

  The biggest disadvantage, however, is that exposure to too much moisture and humidity can cause this material to rust, making routine maintenance and possible repainting a long-term commitment.

• Steel:

  Steel window grilles are an excellent choice for homeowners that are looking for durability and style.

  Available in a variety of different styles and patterns, steel grilles are strong, heavy and resistant to moisture and water damage.

  For increased durability, stainless steel options are also available, offering improved aesthetic appeal and very low maintenance requirements.

• Vinyl:

  Both economic and insulating, vinyl window grilles are an excellent choice for a beautiful, reliable and affordable window upgrade.

  Although not as strong as iron or steel, these window grilles are very easy to clean and maintain.

  While the colour options available may be a bit more limited, they are an excellent choice for giving your windows a customized aesthetic on a budget.

The 4 Types of Window Grilles

With a variety of colours and materials to choose from, there are also several types of window grilles that vary in the way they are installed, cleaned and maintained:

• Full Divided Light:

  Full divided light window grilles are permanently attached to the inside and outside of the window with an aluminum spacer between the glass.

  With a multi-pane appearance, these grills are designed to replicate the visual aesthetic of traditional divided glass panes. 

  In most cases, the interior and exterior grilles are made of flexible, weather-resistant materials that look like wood and increase the overall curb appeal of your home.

  Best Used For: Upgrading your home with a traditional or historical appearance.

• Simulated Divided Light:

  While historical windows were made from smaller glass panes held together by a grid frame, simulated divided light grilles achieve the same look by attaching the grids to the surface of the glass from the interior and exterior of the home.

  While similar to the full divided light grille, the biggest difference is that the simulated divided light does not have an aluminum spacer between the glass.

  Simulated divided light window grilles can also be affixed permanently or removeable, giving the homeowner more control over style, cleaning and maintenance requirements.

  Best Used For: Achieving the historical look of divided light window panes with an easy cleaning routine.

• Removable Interior Grille:

  As the name suggests, removable interior window grilles are detachable and snap right into the window’s sash. 

  With quick and convenient functionality, many homeowners find this to be a great option for cleaning and maintenance as the grilles are so easy to remove and replace.

  Attached to the interior side of the window, these grilles are typically made from hardwood as they are never exposed to the outside elements.

  Best Used For: An affordable option with easy cleaning and maintenance.

• Between-The-Glass Grille:

  Between-the-glass window grilles are exactly what you would expect them to be – window grilles that are situated between the window’s glass panes!

  Typically made from aluminum materials, these window grilles are installed between the panes during the manufacturing process.

  Nestled between the glass with no interior or exterior grilles, between-the-glass window grilles provide a smooth glass surface that is not only easy to clean, but also beautiful in aesthetic.

  Best Used For: Homeowners that prefer the look of divided light, but with easier cleaning and maintenance.

Pros & Cons of Window Grilles

Upgrading your home can be incredibly exciting, but it is also important to understand all of the costs and benefits involved!
If you’re thinking about renovating your home’s appearance with window grilles, here are a few pros and cons to consider:

7 Styles of Window Grilles That Will Enhance Your Property’s Curb Appeal

When selecting window grilles for your home, it is important to choose something that will not only fit well with your window style, but something that will complement your home’s architectural style and personality.

With a wide variety of grille styles to choose from, here are 7 of our favourites:

1. Colonial:

Extremely popular amongst Canadian homeowners, Colonial windows are typically divided light windows that are arranged into four, six or nine square or rectangular panes.

Also referred to as Colonial grids, this window grille style might have a single pane of glass in the bottom half of the window, with a colonial-style grille to embellish the upper half of the window.

Colonial-style windows are meant to be opened from either the bottom-up or top-down, and make an excellent choice for both traditional and contemporary styles of homes.

2. Prairie:

Prairie-style windows are typically made up of nine unequal glass window panes: four small square panes in the corners, four long rectangular panes that run along the edges, and one large square pane for the center of the window.A popular choice for homeowners that prefer a less-obstructed view, the wider glass window panes allow more light to enter the home, making the space feel significantly bigger.

A popular window grille style for casement windows, prairie-style window grilles are typically used for windows that open on a side hinge.

3. Craftsman:

Largely influenced by the prairie-style window grille, craftsman windows feature a mix of full-pane glass on the bottom accented with divided panes on top.

Largely influenced by the prairie-style window grille, craftsman windows feature a mix of full-pane glass on the bottom accented with divided panes on top.

Often used with double-hung windows, craftsman window grilles typically have three long panes on the upper sash with no cross pieces.

With the appearance of large rectangular glass panels, homeowners are able to enjoy an abundance of natural lighting that will give your home an open, modern feel.

4. Geometric:

Geometric window grilles come in a variety of colours, materials and variations.

Commonly used with repetitive herringbone, square or circular patterns, geometric window grilles create beautiful angular lines with their overall placement and design.

Popular with homeowners who gravitate towards an “art deco” home aesthetic, geometric window grilles are an excellent way to turn your windows into an elaborate art installation.

5. Victorian:

Homes in the Victorian era were known for their over-the-top decorative style, and Victorian window grilles do an excellent job of preserving that historical aesthetic.

With two distinct styles to choose from, the first style is reminiscent of a Prairie window with a large rectangular pane in the middle, bordered by many small square panes along the exterior.

The second style of Victorian window grilles feature a decorative design in the upper third of the window with an arch and “V” overlaid on top. Below this upper third, there is often anywhere between 2-6 panes of glass sections to enjoy.

6. Diamond:

Diamond window grilles are a popular design choice for accent windows above large windows or doors.

With diamond-patterned grids along the top of the window sash, diamond window grilles can also have a plain, full-glass panel across the bottom.

With an intricate and luxurious feel, diamond window grilles are most commonly used with Victorian-style windows.

7. Valence:

Valence-style window grilles are one of the more modern options on the market.

Featuring a large square pane of glass with three small square frames at the very top of the window, valence-style window grilles allow homeowners to enjoy natural sunlight, a less-obstructed view and a beautifully stylized design.

With customizable options for the height and number of “panels”, valence-style windows have become more and more popular with Canadian homeowners over the years.
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If you are interested in learning more about our wide selection of window grilles, our experts are always happy to help!

Click
here or call us at (905) 640-4016 for a complimentary consultation.