If you’re thinking of getting grid windows or are contemplating replacing your existing grid windows, here are some pros and cons of the design to help you decide. Like any design, grid windows have their strengths, but are not without their drawbacks as well. The difference is really in the kind of look you’re going for and what functional value you’d prefer your Midtown windows to provide.
Types of Grid Windows
Grid windows are basically any window that has a surface broken up by strips of wood, vinyl or metal in a grid-like arrangement. The pattern of the grid can range from diamond shapes or regular square grids to varying sizes of rectangles. Grid windows also differ in how the strips are integrated with the glass. Grids between the glass consists of the strips being sandwiched between the panes. This makes for easier cleaning, but does not help for repairing broken glass. Superficial grids are strips that are stuck over the glass for visual effect, but serve no other function. Lastly, and most functional in terms of repair, are grids that separate individual panes or sections of glass. This method is most effective in keeping damage limited to a single pane and making repairs easier and less costly.
Pro: Easy repair
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of grid windows is that it makes repairs so much quicker and easier. However, this only applies to grid windows where the grids separate individual panes. The panes can then be easily replaced if the seals pop or if the glass cracks from some kind of impact. This limits the amount of glass needed for a repair and prevents the damage from spreading to the rest of the window in the case of a crack or chip in the glass.
Con: Harder to clean
Except where the grid is sandwiched between the layers of glass, grid windows can make cleaning more time consuming as the window surface is broken into so many smaller sections that each require individual cleaning.
Pro: The Aesthetic
Grid windows are an excellent aesthetic option for older and traditional architectural styles, and are perfect for adding instant vintage charm to the look of a home. Certain styles are also compatible with modern architecture and interior design styles, particularly frames with very thin strips and a high glass to frame ratio. Regardless of design, grid windows capture the attention with their distinct look and can add character to even an otherwise bleak view.
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Con: The Aesthetic
By the same token, a grid window is not always the most compatible choice for the architectural style of a home. Where a picture-postcard view is available, grid windows may not be the best option, as they tend to draw attention away from the view while interrupting the flow between interior and exterior spaces. A frame consisting of a single, uninterrupted pane may be a better option in such cases. Alternatively a combination grid and picture window can be used.
