Farmhouse Style Windows

While many people dream of a farmhouse and life in the countryside current trends have also brought the farmhouse to the suburbs. Let's be honest, the romanticized farmhouse with space for a family, chickens running about in the yard, and a big warm kitchen with ceramic accents isn't for all of us.

There are some elements of the traditional farmhouse that's attractive to a lot of homeowners today, like the textiles and freshly cut flowers on the oversized kitchen island. Contemporary elements like black-framed windows, clean lines, and warm wood tones have also become defining features of modern farmhouse interior design.

Whether you're looking for an older farmhouse or a modern farmhouse this post will help you decide on the windows for your next project. We look specifically at the windows used in farmhouse-style architecture and give a little back story to this much-loved American home style. 

What is Farmhouse Style Architecture? 

In the 1700s, farmers built their homesteads as a straightforward and unpretentious structure for themselves and their household staff. The farmhouse style was simply a choice of combining local materials and creating a functional and purposeful construction. Broad porches were a landing place for dirty gumboots and weary farmers. 

Although the style has evolved to include more modern elements by adding contemporary touches like more neutral colors and less rustic attributes, the style still continues to hold onto the "farmhouse" title it's only a nod to a simpler time.

While you may not be herding cattle or ordering staff in the fields, farm-style homes have crept into modern society. Also called "folk" houses, the farmhouse style is well-liked around America.

Southern Living↗ found that (according to Instagram searches) farmhouse-style homes are in abundance in states like Arkansas, Connecticut, and Michigan.

The features of this architectural style are flexible, although they'd typically include the following characteristics:

• Large, covered front porch
• Simple forms, usually square or rectangular
• Rural or suburban locations
• Overhead dormers
• Open plan living
• Formal areas are usually in the front of the home, with kitchens and common rooms towards the back
• Large kitchens
• Numerous windows
• Natural textures and sturdy materials
• Barn doors
• Carriage-style garage doors
• Wooden floors
• Gabled or A-shaped roof
• Board and batten sidings, or horizontal siding; typically white
• Metal roofing, typically darker in color
• Barn-style lighting↗ with cage.

While only one floor, Ranch-style architecture↗ was a natural shift from farmlands to the suburbs and similar to farmhouse-style architecture. They retained the porch, the simple structure, the open use of space, and the carriage garage doors. It's on par in popularity around the U.S.

Windows for Farmhouse Style Houses

Farmhouse style homes incorporate numerous long, vertical windows. Archetypal window styles include hung windows or casement windows.

• Double- or single hung windows open vertically with one or two moving parts. A window balance mechanism is what makes this window open smoothly. 
• Casement windows are hinged on the side and open outwards, these are an excellent choice for maximum ventilation. 

Colonial grid patterns are popular for farmhouse windows. The grid will often be on the top sash, but you can go with your preference since this style has become so versatile.

As for colors, do what suits your home. Some farmhouses↗ go with black window frames for an upscale modern look, but white, gray, or wood can also look fabulous. 

A Closer Look: Featured Farmhouse Style Property

A Closer Look, Featured Farmhouse Style Property

Search for #farmhousestyle↗ on Instagram, and you'll find a community of farmhouse style enthusiasts and their homes. With so many to chose from, it was challenging to select our top feature property. A favorite was a modern farmhouse in Massachusetts↗, with its board and batten sidings, metal roof, and front porch. The carriage-style farmhouse garage doors are also a typical characteristic often used in modern farmhouses to emulate a simpler time with horse-drawn carriages.  

Farmhouse Architecture: Our Final Thoughts

Build or renovate the farmhouse of your dreams. Don't be limited by location. Small and large modern farmhouse style homes are possible, and you don't need an expanse of farmlands or a cow to tend to before you can construct your dream home. 

If you need more help choosing windows take a look at the related resources below or download Andersen's Farmhouse Style design guide linked here↗.