A French window is a giant, almost door sized, lattice with light which are generally set up together in pairs or multiples of pairs. These windows are known as ‘Porte fenetre’ in France while in Italy they are famous with a name of ‘portfinestra’. In a home with medieval or colonial setting, French Windows undeniably add a beautiful touch of completion to the interiors and home decor. French Windows do have a lot of character and with their installation, the home interiors indeed achieve a regal dimension. Regardless of the aura of elegance and charm that French windows possess, there are some distinct disadvantages associated with them. And hence at times arises a need to Un-French them.

[Image Source: Pixabay]

Why to Un-French those Windows?

• Lack of Visibility
  Firstly the amount of visible light entering the room is reduced to a great extent with these. So if you have a beautiful garden or a great view outside your home then the French windows can stop you from enjoying the view to the fullest advantage.
• Excessively Large Swing Area
  French windows are huge and bulky and they require a very large swing area to open up either to the inside or the outside. If the floor area of the room is not very large then the large swing requirement can cause severe space crunch.
• A costly affair
  Some really antique styled French windows require hideaway screens that add a lot to the total cost of home décor. French windows are expensive to maintain and clean as well.
• Privacy Issues
  The French windows have a very large surface area which allows every passer-by to catch a clear glimpse of your drawing room or the other rooms of your house during the dusk and interiors being lighted up. So if you have French windows installed in any of the rooms, you definitely have to compromise with your privacy to some extent.
• Lack of Glass Strength
  The glass of French windows lack strength & durability. That is of course another big demerit of having French windows. Any moment, the glass on your French windows may go to pieces thereby drowning all your hopes of installing such lavish giant windows in your room.

Modernize Your French Windows by these Amazing Ideas:

The best solution to these issues is to remove the inconvenient “French” part out of your French windows. Simple, Un-French them! There can be many ways to achieve the “un-Frenching” effect.

Given below are some amazing ideas for “un-Frenching” your French windows:

• Remove the Mullions
  A French window usually has mullions attached to a broad mullion frame because of the thin designer quality glass used in antique French windows. Thus the structure is tall and narrow with vertical support called mullion ensconcing the whole structure. In order to un-French the entire structure the first thing that needs to be done is the removal of the mullion frame. The next step is to saw off all the mullion pieces one by one. Polishing & refitting the un-mullioned frame is all you need to do now to breathe life into your old fashioned French windows.

[Image Source: fabulousbydesignblog.com]

[Image Source: fabulousbydesignblog.com]

• Wrought Iron Makeover
  Wrought Iron designs inject instant gracefulness and charm in the staid old fashioned structure of French Windows. You can measure the frame dimensions of your French Windows (after removing the mullions) and then get a wrought iron design panel which fits it. The French window will instantly look completely different after you implement this simple idea. You do not have to put in window tints in this case as the strength of the glass will be automatically refurbished because of the wrought iron panel.

[Image Source: pixabay.com]

• Put in Blinds
  If you want your room to wear a more private and modern look then putting up blinds on your French Windows is a great idea. Of course here again you will have to remove the mullions first and then get in a professional to measure and order in blinds for your windows. Once the blinds are installed you can enjoy privacy and also protect your home from excessive sunlight.

[Image Source: pixabay.com]

• Use Tinted Window Films
  Using tinted window films on your French windows is another great way to Un-French those. Not only do the tints give your traditional French windows a brand new look but also boost the privacy quotient of your room by more than 50%.

[Image Source: houodat.blogspot.in]

• Un-French with Protective Window Screens
  The glass of French windows as mentioned already is fragile. With protective window screens you can fortify the glass and at the same time give the French windows a new modern look. With colored 3M Protective screens for instance your conventional French windows look stunningly new and are well guarded against break-in & harsh weather.

[Image Source:centrodart.com]

If you apply these great ideas then you can give your French Windows a makeover with minimum investment of resources.
Go ahead and Un-French them !

Authored by a Building Expert from Wienerberger India, World Leaders in Building Material

since 1819

For an expert advice, drop a word at our email id [email protected]