Our new Andersen E Series black casement windows have been installed. Here are before and afters!
New Black Casement Windows
Windows have been a hot topic in our house since we began conversations about this renovation in 2021. Thomas is a big “window guy” and I thought the white vinyl windows we had were “just fine.”
Except for the upstairs primary suite where we had ONE window before.
The during:
The after!
Before:
White sliders. Fun fact: the one in the dormer was installed upside down!
During:
After!
I was wrong!
Really, I just didn’t want to spend the money (a BIG portion of our budget) replacing what I considered to be “just fine” windows. But now that I see and feel our new windows, I’m very glad we upgraded to the very finest windows.
The new casements
Aside from not loving cheap vinyl, Thomas is very big into the house’s envelope, energy efficiency, and draftiness. He also haaaaaaates sliders for some reason. The new windows are top of the line casements.
Thomas writes: “The cladding on the exterior is aluminum that is basically zero-maintenance and very durable. Wooden frames make for a very solid/functional window. And the glass is low E-4 glass, which reflects heat in the summer and helps keep heat inside in the winter.”
Can we talk about the color black!?
We made a bold choice going with the black, but we LOVE them! If we hate them in 10 years, we’ll just sell the house! Haha. But I still see black as a very timeless color even if the black windows trend starts to fade over time. It looks even sharper with the lighter insulation and drywall going in.
The Kitchen: Before + After
Primary Bath: Before + After
Window Installation
They have been chipping away at the windows starting with the ones that were open air and then doing the ones that had old windows in place. They just put the last few into the boys’ rooms last week.
Our Black Casement Window Materials
- Brand: Andersen
- Line: E-series
- Style: Casement
- Color: Black (both sides) – black inside and black outside
- Glass type: Low-E4
- Vendor: We ordered them through Better Living in Charlottesville
- Lead Time: 5 months (much longer than usual!)
Black Grilles
We went with black grilles, another somewhat controversial move. Yes, it does block the view a little, but the character that comes with grilles fits nicely with the traditional farmhouse look we’re going for. I love them!
The back kitchen wall:
The Side Porch Windows
When we debated what kind of windows to do where the old garage door was, I really wanted three in a row. (Actually I wanted an octagon or circle port-hole style, but Thomas said he “doesn’t do those,” haha.)
Before:
After:
The Hardie Plank Lap Siding will go all the way up and over and will be painted white!
Inside:
These windows will look into our pantry and mudroom on the other side and provide a way for us to see out to the driveway from the kitchen while still having functional rooms on the front of the kitchen and the view out of the back.
Looking into the pantry from the kitchen:
The Picture Window
In the dining room, the picture window was a beast to put in!
The Dormer Window
I was drying by one day and looked over to find them on the roof:
I COULDN’T WAIT TO TAKE OFF THE PROTECTIVE FILM!!!
Watch the removal video of the black window film here!
Are we painting the house?
We have been debating whether or not to paint the house white for months. Thomas and I both go back and forth! We both like the gray, which is Sherwin Williams Fawn Brindle. But we also both love white brick. I did a few Instagram polls and you guys are split 50/50 on white vs. gray! So that was not helpful – haha. It does seem that people I talk to in person are leaning gray, and of course keeping it gray is the easy (= cheaper) thing to do, so as of today that’s the plan! The siding will be white!
Basement Windows
We are not currently replacing the sliders in the basement, mostly because you can’t see them from the front of the house. We may 1) paint them black at some point, or 2) replace them. But for now they are staying white. Sorry backyard view!
Still needs one more new one installed on the left side there:
Before + Progress
Think we’re going with no shutters – thoughts?
Little buddy is learning on the job!
Pamela says
No shutters!!! And a White House + black windows is pretty sharp!
Kath Younger says
Agree : )
Jeanie says
No shutters. When shutters are properly hung they are supposed to look like they could be used. So they need to have the same width as half the window. Those skimpy shutters look too small.
Kath Younger says
That makes sense.
Sarah says
Do the windows have screens? it’s hard to tell! Thanks for sharing this journey with us – marrying Thomas was a smart move! 😉
Kath Younger says
Yes they do, but they are not installed yet : )
Marissa says
Just my two cents…I think the house would look fantastic painted a creamy-ish white with those black windows. Also, I would definitely do shutters! Sorry, not the cheapest suggestions, but I do LOVE a White House with black windows!
Kath Younger says
Appreciate the two cents!
Sarah says
Oh my heavens, spray foam insulation! You should be more excited about that, haha. I was wondering how they were going to air seal and insulate such a crazy cavity. Very nice! You’re going to love it.
Al says
Love the changes. My favorite houses these days are white brick with black windows!
Melanie says
I vote white!! Such a beautiful contrast to the black windows.
Tracy says
My vote is no shutters! It’s a very clean and updated look and makes those black windows really pop! The last step of our reno happens in June… installation of black windows 🙂
I also think white brick would look amazing but gray is also a good cost effective alternative. It’s really coming along!
Kath Younger says
Send pics of yours!!!
Kirsten says
It is looking so good Kath! I like no shutters and I think either gray or white for the house would look great. Maybe leave gray for now then if you don’t like it paint it later?
Emily Houghton says
No shutters, keep the gray and paint the front door black!