Among Friends

[Mom2Dogs]

Our home is two story...all windows match and are roughly 20+ years old.

The window in the family room is broken...it needs to be replaced.  

In the front of the house there are two windows upstairs and two windows downstairs..on the front of the house.  

I am certain that we cannot replace 1 window that matches all the other windows.

My thought is to replace the two windows on  the 1st floor...maybe have those two windows 'nicer' in style that the rest of the house so that the lower level is a bit more dressed up than the upstairs...would that look odd?

thanks.

[Janey2]

First of all google 2 storey homes and you can see hundreds of pictures. See if different windows would bother you by looking at the pictures. If you decide to go with different windows on the bottom level I would make sure they go with the style and design of the top windows. I would also do the same color. I would also go to a reputable window place and they could lead you in the right direction with design. Without seeing your house it is hard to tell you my opinion. 

[gizmogal]

I think your idea is very good. You should always match two windows that are side by side or close together. Uh But if you maintain symmetry on the lower floor it does not have to match the upper floor, even at the front of the house to be seen from the street.   Replace the window that requires it and pay for its mate on the same wall, same level of the house to keep it cohesive. But uppers do not have to match lowers. 

The front of my house has two double hung windows upstairs, about 5 feet apart from each other. Those are my bedroom windows. On both sides of each window are shutter panels to have the effect of open shutters. They are hunter green against the white siding.  On the street  floor there two double hung windows same as upstairs but with only a narrow space between the two. There are no shutter panels on the lower windows. But the house still is neatly presented to the curb view and has balanced symmetry. All the windows are the same but spaced differently upstairs and street floor and shutters on second
floor but not lower floor. 

You have a good way to solve the replacement without making every window match, just show balance for any two near or next to each other. 

[SilleeMee]

If it was my house I would call a window company and have them come and give me some advice. 

[Mom2Dogs]

When you live in a slightly rural area, it's difficult to have choices near by.  I do not not want to go to Menards or Lowes which is about 25 miles away.  

I will need to call a window company...in the large city about an 75 miles from our town.

I appreciate the comments, thanks

[fthunt]

YES YES YES.........replace both first floor windows with a  modern style!

[SilleeMee]

@Mom2Dogs 

I understand about the distance from your home to the window stores. Perhaps you could take some pictures (inside and outside), along with some measurements and send them over the internet for the window companies to see.

[Janey2]

@Mom2Dogs  If you cannot get to  really good window stores maybe you can find an architect or designer. Sometimes they will work with you with just pictures. 

[RedTop]

Do you really need to replace a broken window frame, or just replace a broken pane of glass?  A local glass company can take care of putting new insulated glass in the current window frame.  

[Nightowlz]

I would rather have all the same windows at least on the front of the house. If you go with same style to put on back or sides of house would look ok. If someone was walking around your house doubt they would notice. 

If you have double hung windows you could go with casement windows so you really can't tell the difference. 

Check out energystar dot gov for rebates on windows.