Quick Summary: Window Design Options Every Homeowner Should Know
- The right windows improve curb appeal, comfort, and energy efficiency for decades.
- Popular styles include casement, double-hung, sliding, picture, bay/bow, and specialty shapes.
- Frame materials matter: vinyl is affordable, fiberglass is strong, wood is timeless, and aluminum delivers a modern look.
- Color and finish choices — including custom options from Davis’s in-house paint shop — help your windows match or refresh your home’s style.
- Energy-efficient upgrades like Low-E coatings and double- or triple-pane glass save on energy bills and boost comfort.
For homeowners, choosing new windows can feel overwhelming with so many window design options available. The right windows do more than frame a view — they influence curb appeal, comfort, and energy efficiency for decades. From timeless styles to advanced glass coatings that cut energy costs, every choice matters. At Davis Window and Door, we help homeowners in Atlanta and Charlotte find the best fit with expert window replacement and door replacement services backed by guaranteed installation. Request a consultation to get started. Let’s dive into the design options homeowners can choose from!
What Are Window Design Options?
Window design options are the different choices homeowners can make when selecting styles of windows, frame materials, window color options, and glass types — all of which affect how windows look and perform.
These decisions impact daylight, airflow, maintenance, and energy bills. Understanding the main categories makes it easier to evaluate which designs best match your needs.
Popular Styles of Windows for Modern Homes
Casement Windows
Casement windows are hinged on one side and swing outward, often operated by a crank. They’re excellent for ventilation since the entire sash opens, catching breezes from multiple angles. Their clean lines also align well with modern window designs, making them a favorite in kitchens and contemporary spaces.
Double-Hung and Single-Hung Windows
These windows feature one or two sashes that move vertically. Double-hung windows allow both sashes to open, making them easier to clean. Single-hung windows cost less but still deliver timeless style, fitting well in traditional homes across Atlanta and Charlotte.
Sliding Windows
Sliding windows glide horizontally and are perfect when exterior space is limited. They maximize glass area for natural light, making them popular home window options for patios, living rooms, and modern remodels.
Picture and Fixed Windows
Picture windows are large, stationary panes that don’t open. They highlight views and flood interiors with daylight while offering excellent insulation since there are no moving parts that can leak air. For maximum performance, especially in hot climates, homeowners often choose double- or triple-pane glass with Low E coatings to make them truly energy efficient windows. Pairing them with operable styles is a common window replacement idea for balanced function and beauty.
Bay and Bow Windows
These extend outward from the home, adding dimension inside and out. Bay windows typically have three panels, while bow windows use four or more for a rounded look. Both styles create cozy alcoves, expand interior space, and boost curb appeal. Because they’re built to fit the exact opening and can be configured with different window combinations, they’re often seen as tailored, one-of-a-kind features.
Specialty Windows and Custom Window Designs
Arched, round, angled, and other non-standard shapes fall into this category. Unlike basic window styles, specialty windows are engineered to fit perfectly into their openings, preventing gaps and improving insulation. That means they don’t just look striking — they also perform well, keeping heat and cool air inside where they belong.
Homeowners can choose from stationary or fully operable options in nearly any shape, from trapezoids and diamonds to octagons, archtops, and more. Decorative glass choices make it easy to match the details of your home’s architecture while boosting curb appeal. With advanced features like ProVia’s FineLine™ technology and ComforTech™ glass coatings, these windows combine durability with energy efficiency.
At Davis Window and Door, we help Atlanta and Charlotte homeowners select the right specialty shapes to complement their home’s design. Our expert staff works with top brands like Marvin to ensure each project runs smoothly — from product selection to installation.
Window Frame Materials: Vinyl, Wood, Fiberglass, and More
Vinyl Windows: Affordable and Low Maintenance
Vinyl windows are a smart investment for homeowners who want durability and efficiency without the high price tag. Made from strong PVC, they won’t absorb moisture like wood, meaning no warping, rotting, or peeling over time. They also expand and contract with seasonal temperature changes, staying tightly sealed to prevent drafts and reduce energy bills year-round.
At Davis Window and Door, we carry trusted brands such as ProVia, MI, HomeGuard, and Joyce, offering collections like Endure™, Aspect™, and ecoLite™ that are ENERGY STAR® certified. These vinyl windows come in a wide variety of styles — casement, sliding, bay and bow, picture, and more — so homeowners don’t have to compromise on design. They’re also customizable with colors, finishes, and decorative glass options to match any home’s aesthetic.
Fiberglass Windows: Strong and Weather-Resistant
Fiberglass windows are one of the toughest window frame materials, built to handle extreme weather without chipping, rotting, or warping. Unlike wood, it doesn’t absorb moisture, and unlike vinyl, it doesn’t flex as much with temperature swings. That makes fiberglass windows especially reliable in humid summers, cold winters, and rainy springs — perfect for the Atlanta and Charlotte climate.
Fiberglass is 8x stronger than vinyl and 3x stronger than vinyl/wood composites, yet it remains lightweight and low maintenance. Its strength allows for slimmer frames and wider glass areas, giving homeowners more natural light without sacrificing insulation. Marvin’s pultruded fiberglass technology, for example, expands and contracts at nearly the same rate as glass, keeping seals tight and improving efficiency.
At Davis Window and Door, we carry trusted fiberglass collections like Marvin Essential™ and Marvin Elevate™, which combine durability with style. Essential windows feature 100% fiberglass interiors and exteriors for maximum longevity, while Elevate blends rich wood interiors with fiberglass exteriors for homeowners who want timeless beauty with less upkeep.
Wood Windows: Classic Look with Custom Finishes
Wood windows bring unmatched warmth and timeless appeal to a home. Natural wood—like oak, mahogany, or walnut—offers a rich texture and color that heightens curb appeal and adds character. At Davis Window and Door, Marvin’s wood windows undergo a multi-step finishing process—each piece is sanded, conditioned, stained, and oven-cured—delivering durable, consistent quality that looks and feels premium. Wood windows can be customized in almost any style—awning, casement, double-hung, picture, bay and bow, or specialty shapes—and with finishes tailored to match your interior trim, siding, or overall aesthetic.
If you want the classic beauty of wood without constant upkeep on the exterior, wood-clad windows are a smart compromise. They pair real wood interiors for that signature look with cladding on the outside for added weather resistance. Davis also offers wood-fiberglass combos that merge wood’s warmth inside with a tougher outer shell that resists moisture, temperature swings, and reduces maintenance.
Whichever option you choose, regular upkeep—like checking for chips, maintaining finishes, and sealing joints—ensures that your wood windows stay beautiful for years.
Aluminum Windows: Sleek, Durable Option
Aluminum is lightweight yet incredibly strong, which makes it an appealing choice for homeowners who want a slim, modern frame that maximizes glass area. These frames deliver a minimalist look that fits well with modern window designs and contemporary architecture. While aluminum has historically been less energy efficient than other window frame materials, advancements like thermally broken aluminum now provide better insulation against heat and sound.
Aluminum windows are also highly durable and low maintenance. They won’t warp, rot, or swell with changes in temperature or humidity, making them a reliable option for busy homeowners who don’t want frequent upkeep. And because aluminum is one of the most recycled materials in the building industry, it’s also a sustainable choice.
Window Color Options and Finishes
Davis Window and Door Paint Shop for Customized Finishes
With a dedicated paint shop, Davis gives homeowners the flexibility to customize window color options beyond standard white or beige. Tailored finishes ensure your windows match or contrast with siding, trim, and doors exactly how you envision.
Popular Window Color Trends
In 2025, dark frames — especially black and deep charcoal — remain popular for their bold, modern edge. Earthy neutrals and soft greens are also making waves, offering a softer way to connect your windows with natural surroundings. These trending shades work beautifully across different styles of windows, giving homeowners an easy way to refresh curb appeal while keeping their home on-trend.
Energy Efficient Windows and Low E Glass Options
What Is Low E Glass and Why It Matters
Low E glass windows feature a microscopically thin metallic coating that reflects infrared heat while still allowing natural light to pass through. In summer, they keep hot air outside; in winter, they reflect heat back indoors. The result is lower energy bills, reduced glare, and protection for your furniture and flooring from UV damage.
Different Low-E Options
Not all Low-E coatings are the same. At Davis Window and Door, our manufacturers — including Marvin — offer multiple types tailored to different climates
- Low-E1: Uses a single layer of coating, best for colder climates. It maximizes heat gain from sunlight while still insulating.
- Low-E2: Built with two layers of coating, it’s a balanced option that provides year-round performance — good for moderate climates.
- Low-E3: Made with three layers of coating, it’s designed for hot climates like Georgia and the Carolinas, blocking a higher percentage of solar heat to keep interiors cooler.
- Low-E3/ERS (Energy Reflective Surface): Adds a fourth interior coating that reflects escaping heat back indoors for maximum efficiency.
Double Pane vs. Triple Pane Glass
Double-pane glass is a standard energy-efficient option, providing dependable insulation for most homes. Triple-pane glass increases comfort further, adding noise reduction and reducing condensation — ideal for homeowners who want peak performance. Both are excellent energy efficient windows, and Davis can help you weigh cost vs. benefit.
Choosing the Right Efficiency Level for Atlanta and Charlotte Homes
In Atlanta and Charlotte’s hot, humid climate, the right combination of Low-E coatings and double- or triple-pane glass makes a noticeable difference. At Davis Window and Door, we help homeowners interpret performance ratings like U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) to strike the perfect balance between comfort, efficiency, and budget.
Customized Window Design Options and How to Choose the Best One for Your Home
Tailoring Windows to Match Your Architecture and Style
Your windows should complement your home’s design, not compete with it. Colonial homes often look best with double-hung styles, Craftsman homes with casements, and modern builds with sleek picture or sliding windows. Custom sizes and shapes help everything feel intentional and polished.
Balancing Natural Light, Privacy, and Ventilation
Large panes flood a room with daylight, but may not open for airflow. Casements and sliders ventilate better, while frosted or tinted glass adds privacy in spaces like bathrooms. Homeowners often mix styles to get the best of both worlds.
Modern Window Designs for Contemporary Homes
Slim frames, expansive glass, and minimalist lines define today’s modern window designs. These options look stunning but require expert installation to maintain efficiency and performance. Davis Window and Door specializes in handling these details so homeowners can enjoy both beauty and function.
FAQs About Window Design Options
What Are the 5 Types of Windows?
The five most common types of windows are casement, double-hung, sliding, picture, and bay/bow windows.
What Style of Window Is Popular Now?
Casement windows and black-framed designs are leading trends in home window options for 2025.
What Window Design Works Best for My House Style?
It depends: traditional homes benefit from double-hung, modern builds from picture or casement, and custom architecture from specialty shapes.
What Is the Modern Look for Windows?
Large glass expanses with slim frames, dark finishes, and seamless integration into walls define today’s modern window designs.
How Long Do New Windows Typically Last?
Most last 20–30 years. Vinyl windows last 20+, while fiberglass windows often exceed 30 years with minimal upkeep.
What Window Frame Material Is Most Energy Efficient?
Fiberglass and vinyl are the most efficient window frame materials, especially when paired with Low E glass windows.
Why Choose Davis Window & Door for Your Window Design Options
Local Expertise in Atlanta and Charlotte
Davis knows the demands of Southern climates and helps homeowners choose customized window design options that perform.
High-Quality Products and Custom Finishes
From window replacement ideas to tailored paint finishes, Davis provides solutions that blend style with durability.
Professional Installation Backed by Our Guarantee
We don’t just sell windows; we ensure flawless installation, protecting your investment long-term.
Get Started with a Free Consultation
Ready to explore window design options for your home? Davis Window and Door, Atlanta and Charlotte’s #1 window installation service, is here to help with expert window replacement and personalized service. Browse our blog for more inspiration or request a consultation to bring your vision to life.
