To Grille or Not to Grille: A Window Replacement Question

Losing (or adding) window grilles isn’t exactly the end of the world as grilles are meant mostly for curb appeal. That said, certain minimalist styles can work well with grilles, and they’re also a great way to keep the windows from overwhelming the beholder by dividing the panes into “manageable” chunks.

Why It Works for Traditional Homes

Grilles, also known as grills, muntins or grids, were first used in the seventeenth century to address the logistics of ferrying glass to far-off areas. Glass is extremely fragile, and transporting it over great distances would often shatter the sheets. To that end, glassmakers elected to break a sheet of glass into several panes, bordered by metal or some other material, which would then be assembled on-site. The pattern that these borders created came to be known as grilles.

These days, glass can be easily made, transported and installed, making the original use of grilles outdated and unnecessary. Still, some replacement windows still use grilles to evoke Old World sensibilities.

All for Curb Appeal

With that out of the way, most installers suggest using grilles if they complement your home style. At Renewal by Andersen®, we generally recommend using the grid pattern that matches your traditional style. For example, our Prairie grille pattern should match Prairie homes, and Colonial grids work well with Colonial-style homes. You can, however, certainly experiment and mix-and-match.

As one of the most well-known window installers, Renewal by Andersen can also offer different grille design types. Our full divided light grilles mimic the traditional design of the window grilles while the between-the-glass types are permanently installed between the sheets of glass. We also offer interior wood grilles, which are removable grilles that snap onto the sash.

Renewal by Andersen of Wyoming isn’t just a window replacement expert; we also install patio doors. If you need further advice whether grilles can boost your curb appeal, call us today at (307) 650-4073, or fill out our contact form. We serve Laramie, Cheyenne and nearby areas.

Andy Stellpflug