Deciding on windows with muntins is usually a matter of taste, sometimes budget, but sometimes it is a requirement of top-down administrative decisions. However, regardless of what considerations we are guided by, it is worth being aware of the pros and cons of using such a construction element, as well as the type of window muntins. In addition to the specific technical solution, it is also worth taking care of the aesthetic side.
Windows with muntins will look very impressive in wooden houses, especially in old, renovated historic buildings. They will perfectly match the style of so-called “rural” villas or noble manor houses, kept in a more classical style. Muntins can look equally attractive in large windows with more unusual shapes – in the form of a large vertical rectangle or wide, with a rounded top. Importantly, the bars do not have to divide the window into equal squares. Sometimes, an interesting solution is to stick them at an angle, creating triangular fields (which looks great with classic rounded windows). However, you should not overdo the number of bars used.
In contemporary houses built according to modern design, elements that disrupt the window surface (including muntins) are not usually used. Although muntins are sometimes found in modern construction, the design is planned in such a way that the muntins are an integral part of the aesthetics of the house. However, if you want bright, spacious interiors, you should opt for large glazing without unnecessary additions. Read also: In the past, muntins were an integral part of the window construction and significantly strengthened it. Nowadays, the only advantage of windows with muntins is purely aesthetic. Muntins can give windows a unique look and emphasise the style of the house design. They can make both the façade and the interior look impressive. Apart from situations where the use of windows with muntins is a requirement of the conservator of monuments, in other cases it depends solely on the investor’s sense of aesthetics and taste, and as we know, there is no accounting for taste.
Advantages of windows with muntins
Disadvantages and limitations
In most modern designs, muntin bars are not used on windows due to current trends, which strive for the best possible integration of the interior space of the house with the exterior space, while maintaining the best thermal insulation properties of windows and balcony or terrace doors. Practical considerations include:
- limited access to light – this is the main disadvantage of windows with bars, as they let in less sunlight. Therefore, bars are not recommended, especially for small windows.
- higher price – the purchase price of a window with bars is much higher than a window without them. Installing bars in existing windows also involves significant material and installation costs.
- Cannot be removed – with the exception of bars that can be opened, all other bars are permanently installed and cannot be removed. This also makes it more difficult to install them precisely. Every mistake or imperfection increases the costs.
- difficulties in cleaning and maintenance – on the one hand, dividing the glass surface into smaller fragments results in an increase in the time needed to wash them. The muntin bars also need to be cleaned. This problem does not occur when using inner pane bars.
- worse thermal insulation properties – although they are not significantly worse than windows without bars, they must be taken into account.
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