*This post is in partnership with Andersen Windows, all opinions are my own and the relationship was formed after they saw their windows in our home! 😉 

I honestly can’t believe that we get to live here. I’ll never forget when we first bought our land, I had this vision of these massive windows that faced our maple tree and I just imagined watching all the seasons change through the windows. We positioned the house to make that a reality and now that the vision has come to life, it’s even better than I imagined. The entire process from buying land to designing the floorplan to watching this house go up piece by piece was honestly incredible and living here? Well, it’s a dream. I was teasing that we built too good of a home because I never want to leave it, it has everything we need (and more) and so my introverted hermit self is extra happy here. It feels like just yesterday I was compiling pins onto my Pinterest boards and dreaming of what it would be like to build our dream home.

Whenever we told people we were building a home one of the first responses we’d always get was, “Oh my gosh, so many decisions!” And honestly, it’s accurate. It’s intimidating choosing every single last finish from the doorknobs to the light fixtures when building a custom home, but thankfully our builder had great recommendations for us and led us to decisions we love. I feel like I got to go to design school in learning all of the new terminologies for each piece of the project! (Like, where is my design diploma for successfully making great decisions?)

As a kid, I grew up in the same house my entire life. My parents bought their split-level home shortly after they got married and we lived in it until after college! I’ll never forget when they finally came to terms with the fact that we needed to replace a window, which then turned into all of the windows, which then turned into replacing the siding on the entire house — the expanding project with the expanding budget has etched it’s way into my life as a core memory. Building something from the ground up, I wasn’t just trying to think about the here and now, I was also trying to envision a few decades from now and prioritize our decisions with the future in mind.

Windows, windows, windows

One of the biggest decisions we had to make was on choosing windows. When it comes to building a new home, selecting the right windows is an important decision that can impact just about everything in your home from the overall appearance to energy efficiency. Windows allow natural light to flow into your home which has so many health benefits! They also provide ventilation, soundproofing, and insulation (if they’re energy-efficient). Think about it: your windows are in basically every room of the house and so this choice is a big one! Here are a few helpful tips on how we choose our windows.

01. Enhancing Aesthetics:

One thing we wanted to lead within our design choices was choosing more timeless finishes on the “big stuff.” That worked really well when it came to our window selection because we love the look of black windows but I didn’t want it to feel too trendy on the inside, so we got the best of both worlds! We did black on the exterior (that will pop when our stucco is white) and then white on the interior. It gave us the perfect mix of the more trendy finish of black with the timeless finish of white on the inside.

The easiest place to start is determining how do you want your windows to look and maybe even more importantly, how do you want them to function? Does your window need to open, maybe a casement is the perfect fit for you. Or maybe you are looking for a unit that doesn’t open so you can maximize the size of the window. With over 8 styles, window types can be overwhelming but this guide breaks each type down to help make the decision easier.

02. Choosing the design:

I had no clue how many design options there are for windows, let alone, I hadn’t totally considered how much windows can change the feel of the house and the room. From trim to rails, frames and stiles (see, I told you I learned a lot of terminologies!) There were decisions inside of decisions to be made about windows. The right windows can enhance the appearance of your home and complement its architectural style. If you’re wondering, how do I know what grilles match my home’s style? This guide offers you a cheat sheet to help you pick the style best suited for your space. While more modern homes have no grilles and traditional homes tend to have a lot, there are options for those in the transitional style as well.

03. Energy Efficiency:

I will never forget when someone shared their own home-building experience with me and they told me how much they regretted choosing budget windows because they were not efficient for Minnesota winters! Windows play a massive role in the energy efficiency of your home. This is where choosing the right glass for your home style and location comes into play. We also know a window is only as good as its installation and when they are properly installed, they work to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, which means saving on your energy bills as well as being comfortable. Win-win!

• Safety and Security: Windows can also impact the safety and security of your home. Consider windows with durable frames and locking mechanisms to help prevent break-ins. Additionally, if you live in an area prone to severe weather, impact-resistant windows can help protect your home from damage.
• Durability and Longevity: This was huge for us since we live in such an intense climate. We needed a product that can stand the test of times with below freezing temps and the sneaky Minnesota summer heat. We wanted a product that would perform and last well!

When selecting the right windows for your home build or renovation project, there are a lot of factors at play! It’s important to consider your budget, style preferences, and energy efficiency needs.  I’m honestly so grateful that our builders recommended Andersen windows, we are thrilled with the choice! Even as I sit here typing, I’m looking out these beautiful windows and I’m in awe that what once was a vision has now come to life in the most beautiful way. 

Overall, our experience with Andersen Windows has been exceptional, and we highly recommend them to anyone in the market for high-quality, sustainable, and stylish windows. They truly are a top-notch company that prioritizes the needs of their customers, and the environment and are now, making it even easier for you to shop for windows and bring your design vision to life!

Andersen makes window design decision-making EASY!

Grab their FREE guide to help you pick the style best suited for your space.