Window Styles for French Eclectic Houses

If you have a French Eclectic home from the 20s, it may be time to update the windows. Choosing new windows for older architectural classics requires some thought as to what look you are trying to achieve. Do you want to maintain the architectural integrity of the home or do you prefer to modernize it? French Eclectic architecture is distinctive, and its remodeling needs should be done carefully. So too should a new build that exudes French charm. 

In this post, we'll discuss the French Eclectic style and window options. 

Use the links below to skip ahead:

• What is French Eclectic Style?
• Windows for French Eclectic Houses
• Featured Property: Turn of the Century French Eclectic 

What is French Eclectic Style?

After spending time in France during WW1, soldiers became accustomed to the French countryside with its farmhouses, small manor houses, and idyllic countryside cottages. It wasn't long before areas saw these French impressions in local American architecture. There are several good examples of French-inspired structures in the Pacific Northwest.

French Eclectic homes are sometimes confused for English Tudor architecture. Both styles have a similar approach to using varied materials for the facade and the use of half-timber. The difference can be seen in the doorways, with Tudor homes making use of round-arched entry porches and a dominant front-facing gable. 

Typical characteristics of French Eclectic homes include:

• Roofs - Tall, steeply pitched with flared up eaves; roof dormers that are arched, gabled, hipped, or circular. Roof materials are tile, slate, or shingle.
• Chimneys - Large yet straightforward, often with French-curved copper chimney caps.
• Exterior Materials -Brick, stucco, stone, or decorate half-timbering. 
• Main Doors - Commonly arched and could sometimes be surrounded by stone quins, pilasters, or other detailing. In towered homes, the door was often placed in the tower. 
• Additional Features - French doors with shutters, stone trimmings such as lintels, sills, and quoins. Rounded towers with conical roofs were sometimes added to this style of architecture.
• Form - There is no standard form, and French homes can be balanced, unbalanced, or towered. The asymmetrical shape is the most common. 
• Windows - Usually double-hung or casement. Double or triple groupings are common, as well as the use of leaded panes. 

Windows for French Eclectic Houses 

Window styles that are typical in French Eclectic homes are double-hung or casement windows. They can sometimes be placed in pairings for more expansive window space.

• Double-Hung windows have two operable parts and slide open in a groove, upwards and downwards. These sash windows are favored for their ventilation. Modern double-hung windows can tilt inward, which makes them very easy to clean.
• Casement windows are also known as crank windows. They are hinged on one side and open outward with the turn of a handle/crank.

French windows sometimes include shutters. You'll see that an arch on the window shape also adds to the French charm. When it comes to adding hardware finishes, black wrought iron, and antique brass handles will suit the French aesthetic. 

In this type of architecture, diamond or colonial grids are common. It's not unusual to have a mixture of grid patterns, so use your discretion to decide on what appeals to you around the home.

Featured Property

French Eclectic homes offer some creative licenses. The steeply pitched roof is the most common feature. The form is symmetrical, asymmetrical, or towered. Patrick Ahearn's French Eclectic project in Dover↗ considers the modern family needs. With its steep roof, shutters, and french doors, this property is charming and stands proudly in its surroundings. 

Double-hung windows with broad colonial grills were used in this modern build. 

French Eclectic Style Homes, The Charm

If you are building a French Eclectic home, make sure to do your research or consult with a design pro to get the best results. Regardless of your aesthetic goals, choosing replacement windows for your home means improving the home's energy efficiency. To learn more about windows and energy performance check out the related articles at the end of this post.