Well-dressed exterior windows add warmth and grandeur to a home.
If you're updating the curb appeal of your home, recycle the old wooden shutters into an artsy wall hanging, headboard or craft project - they can age the outside of a home, but rock as interior decor. However, once the shutters come down, the house's exterior might seem a bit bare. Put a little thought into what type of replacement feature might work best around your windows depending on your home's style. Does this Spark an idea?
Crown Molding
To add some pizzazz back onto your Victorian or English Tudor home's exterior facade, top the windows with a detailed wood or composite crown molding. A larger home should sport a more substantially sized molding for proper proportion. Choose a molding with an angled profile that rainwater will easily run off so as not to rot the decorative feature. Surround the other three sides of the windows with a matching trim and fill all gaps with caulking.
Trim
Get creative with trim. Window trimmings don't have to be bland; explore the idea of trim that is narrow on the sides and wider at the crest and bottom, or that has a top and bottom extending a couple of inches beyond the sides -- cut the lengthier ends at an angle for interest. No matter what the style of house, interesting window trim allows for a subtle, yet creative style statement.
Copper
For the contemporary or executive home, copper clad trim adds elegance. To avoid a "shutter" effect, cover the top or bottom piece with metal. If dressing the top, envision a hat-like shape for the trim. On the bottom, a boat or planter box contour might work well. Use treated plywood to form your stylish trim design and visit your local sheet metal shop to add the elegant jacket.
Stone
Stone and brick have a timeless quality. With a strong and gallant appearance, a stone framed window offers the look of a castle or fortress. This enduring choice is typically easy to work with and suits the stucco sided home. Some faux options come with a backer rod to keep water away from your windows. Fill any gaps with caulking.
Wrought Iron
The beauty of iron makes a powerful design statement on stucco or wood-sided homes. A tangle of decorative black metal surrounding your windows will make the urban chic home or rancher pop. Antique-white wrought iron in artistic swirls provides sweet charm when mounted around the windows of a cottage.
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