The Best Windows and Doors for Natural Light

Everyone deserves the positive feeling associated with a bright, naturally lit space. The right amount of natural light not only improves your mood but also makes spaces feel larger and reduces costly electricity use. Your windows and doors are your home’s gateways for that light.

It’s important to choose window and door designs that offer good natural light balance for your home. As the days get shorter and optimal natural light becomes more important, consider how different solutions can create a brighter space.

Top Window Styles for Maximizing Natural Light

Factors like shape, size and design can affect the natural light your windows allow in. If you want to maximize light in your space, consider a few of your best options.

Picture Windows: Unobstructed, Breathtaking Views

Picture windows are large, fixed-pane windows that don’t open and typically don’t feature grilles (the grid-like framing around individual glass panes). They provide a large, uninterrupted view that serves as the perfect backdrop and conversation point.

Picture windows allow substantial light into spaces, making them excellent choices for homes with shaded yards. They’re great for warming spaces naturally, but not ideal for air circulation. However, they can be paired with other designs, like double-hung windows, that are made to open and bring in fresh air.

Bay and Bow Windows: For Light and Dimension

Bay and bow windows project outward from the home in an arch-like shape. Bay windows are more sharply angled with fewer glass panels (often three), while bow windows are more curved and usually contain four to six panels.

These windows’ curved designs let light enter your home from multiple angles, keeping it bright as the sun moves during the day or changes position with the seasons. Your space will stay lit even if the sun isn’t shining directly into the center pane. You’ll also gain extra horizontal space for reading nooks, decorative shelves or plant stands. All these features add up to more curb appeal.

Casement Windows: Clear Views and Excellent Ventilation

Casement windows are hinged on the side. They swing outward to open instead of sliding up and down. They don’t have central meeting rails, which can block light and obstruct your view. The side-opening design allows breezes and cross ventilation, providing exceptional air circulation.

Garden Windows: Light From the Top and Sides

Garden windows project outward from your house in a cube or rectangular shape. Like bay and bow windows, they allow light in from multiple angles. They have a glass pane on top for more direct sun, too. This is why they’re often used to create mini-greenhouses indoors, making them perfect additions to your kitchen.

Door Solutions for Natural Light

Many home entry points can become dark and uninviting without the right lighting. There are ways to incorporate natural lighting solutions into your doors for a welcoming effect.

Entry Doors: Glass Additions With Privacy Protection

Without natural light around your entry door, you risk an inconvenient and potentially hazardous entryway. Consider a few entry door designs that can help.

• Built-in glass: Modern and traditional door designs can include built-in glass in various styles, like three-quarter, diamond-panel or oval, for excellent daytime light access. Add a porch light to create an ideal after-dark lighting aesthetic, too.
• Sidelites: If you prefer a solid front door or want more natural light alongside a built-in door window, consider adding a sidelite. This narrow glass pane can be placed on one or both sides of your door at half, three-quarter or full lengths.
• Transoms: Although similar to sidelites, transoms are placed over your door to allow additional light. Rectangle, square and half-moon transoms can complement your design style.

If you’re concerned about glass in or around your entry doors affecting your privacy, that’s easily fixed, too. Window World entry doors offer frosted and tempered glass options that keep things bright without making you feel exposed. 

French Doors and Sliding Patio Doors: Timeless Style, Extra Light

For secondary entryways, consider how double-door solutions like French doors, French rail doors and sliding patio doors can add additional light to your space.

• Sliding glass doors are essentially full walls of glass, providing the most natural light access of virtually any design style. They’re also free of large frames or glazing bars, providing unobstructed views of your property.
• French doors have a traditional double-door design and open on hinges. They typically feature individual glass panes and glazing bars. They allow in exceptional light, creating a backdrop for sunny yet cozy spaces.
• French rail doors are a hybrid of sliding and French doors. They slide to open but retain many traditional features of French doors, blending modern functionality and classic looks.

Other Factors to Enhance Natural Light

Alongside the physical design of your windows and doors, a few other factors can impact your space’s brightness.

• Colors: Choose lighter window or door frame colors (like white, beige, Sand Dune or Desert Clay) that reflect more light and can make the space feel larger and more open.
• Grids and grilles: Leaving grids or grilles off all or part of certain windows can maximize your line of sight and visible light.
• Clutter: Window and door spaces cluttered with furniture, mementoes or other objects can obstruct light. Stage items so that they don’t block light sources.
• Reflective items: Strategically place mirrors, prisms or glass items around (or across from) windows and doors to catch light and spread it throughout the room.

Your product’s energy efficiency features may also impact natural light flow. Most designs allow maximum light while repelling heat and harmful UV rays. That being said, different designs balance light and heat in different ways. Always compare a product’s energy efficiency ratings while shopping. Otherwise, you might wind up with a space that’s too bright or too dark.

Brighter Spaces Right Ahead

Window World’s premium replacement windows and doors are custom-made to make your home a perfectly lit space. Choose styles, colors and features that blend seamlessly with the rest of your home, and gain valuable energy efficiency that will keep your home comfortable, affordably.

Get in touch with us for a free estimate on products that will literally brighten your day.