Black-Framed Windows — Faux Pas or Fabulous?
Find out if black frames would be a great fit for your home — or better to avoid
Joanna Tovia
5. juni 2016
The widespread love affair many of us have with industrial-inspired interiors has translated into a number of trends that can work in a variety of homes — industrial-style or not. One of the most alluring is black window frames and doors. They can work just as well in a contemporary home as on a modern addition, or sometimes even a century-old house in need of a cosmetic update. But are black window frames always a good idea? Let’s ask the experts.
Standing Out
In the right space, black-framed windows and doors can add serious drama and style. They can set the scene for elegant and traditional interiors, as Brendan Wong Design has created in this Sydney home, but they can work just as well as a backdrop to ultra-contemporary or industrial styles too.
In the right space, black-framed windows and doors can add serious drama and style. They can set the scene for elegant and traditional interiors, as Brendan Wong Design has created in this Sydney home, but they can work just as well as a backdrop to ultra-contemporary or industrial styles too.
“Black window frames are becoming more popular because they are what we call a ‘forgiving color,’ ” says architect Dominic Bagnato. “You can apply them to a building and just about every other color used adjacent to them can be sympathetic.… They are like a classic black suit. Everything looks great in black and you can style what goes with it accordingly.”
Blending In
“Contrary to what people think, black windows don’t stick out as much on a wall surface as many other colors do, and often look like a shadow line and disappear,” Bagnato says. “When you are in the home looking out the window, the black frame disappears and you simply see out the clear window.”
This disappearing act is also the reason black nets are used on tennis courts — the players’ focus can remain on the ball.
“Contrary to what people think, black windows don’t stick out as much on a wall surface as many other colors do, and often look like a shadow line and disappear,” Bagnato says. “When you are in the home looking out the window, the black frame disappears and you simply see out the clear window.”
This disappearing act is also the reason black nets are used on tennis courts — the players’ focus can remain on the ball.
Bagnato advises against using black if you want to highlight the windows as a feature of the house, because they will disappear. The attractive wood siding is allowed to be the star of this house, for example, thanks to the black-framed doors and windows. White frames would have competed for attention with the wood.
Bagnato opted for black window and door frames on this project — a conversion of an old church into a home fit for modern family living.
Take a tour of this home
Take a tour of this home
Black or White?
Black frames aren’t always the way to go, however. The Drafting Studio building designer Paul Caracoglia says black frames can look out of place in a light and airy space where white is the predominant color. White frames work best for the windows in this light-filled open-plan kitchen-dining area, for example, but black has been used effectively on the verriere separating the more traditional main house from the contemporary addition.
Black frames aren’t always the way to go, however. The Drafting Studio building designer Paul Caracoglia says black frames can look out of place in a light and airy space where white is the predominant color. White frames work best for the windows in this light-filled open-plan kitchen-dining area, for example, but black has been used effectively on the verriere separating the more traditional main house from the contemporary addition.
“Make sure black frames tie in as well from the inside as they do from the outside,” Caracoglia says.
See more of this house
See more of this house
As this photo shows, black frames can enhance the view out a window and draw the eye outside.
In a wooded, garden or ocean setting, “black blends into the view while white more frames the view,” Caracoglia says.
In a wooded, garden or ocean setting, “black blends into the view while white more frames the view,” Caracoglia says.
Beating the Heat
It pays to be aware of a potential downside to black window frames. “The black color will absorb more heat, which can be a good thing, depending on the area,“ Caracoglia says. But if your windows face the western sun or it gets particularly hot where you live, heat transfer can be a definite negative. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
If your black window frames are aluminum, Caracoglia suggests opting for thermally broken frames. They feature plastic separators to prevent heat from transferring between the internal and external frames. And that means a cooler home.
It pays to be aware of a potential downside to black window frames. “The black color will absorb more heat, which can be a good thing, depending on the area,“ Caracoglia says. But if your windows face the western sun or it gets particularly hot where you live, heat transfer can be a definite negative. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
If your black window frames are aluminum, Caracoglia suggests opting for thermally broken frames. They feature plastic separators to prevent heat from transferring between the internal and external frames. And that means a cooler home.
Instant Elegance
Aluminum is a budget-friendly window option for renovations and new builds, but choosing black over the other colors available is an easy way to make a home look higher-end.
Aluminum is a budget-friendly window option for renovations and new builds, but choosing black over the other colors available is an easy way to make a home look higher-end.
Although wood frames can be painted black, Bagnato rarely advises doing so. “Black aluminum windows will always look more expensive than their [wood] counterpart painted black,” he says.
And then there’s the other option: black steel frames, which can take a home even further upscale.
And then there’s the other option: black steel frames, which can take a home even further upscale.
The Beauty of Black Steel
Steel frames are more expensive than both wood and aluminum frames, but if you’re after an industrial or contemporary aesthetic — and your budget allows — blackened steel could be the way to go.
Steel-framed windows have an appealing “handmade” patina, an imperfect finish (as opposed to the smooth finish of aluminum) that delivers texture as well as visual appeal, particularly when blackened. The strength of steel means it can handle larger panes of glass, and slimline mullions are more easily achievable than with aluminum or wood.
Steel-framed windows were first used for industrial purposes in factories and then, from the early 20th century, in residential architecture. They fell out of favor once aluminum windows hit the scene and are only now enjoying a resurgence as the industrial trend has evolved into mainstream architecture.
Steel frames are more expensive than both wood and aluminum frames, but if you’re after an industrial or contemporary aesthetic — and your budget allows — blackened steel could be the way to go.
Steel-framed windows have an appealing “handmade” patina, an imperfect finish (as opposed to the smooth finish of aluminum) that delivers texture as well as visual appeal, particularly when blackened. The strength of steel means it can handle larger panes of glass, and slimline mullions are more easily achievable than with aluminum or wood.
Steel-framed windows were first used for industrial purposes in factories and then, from the early 20th century, in residential architecture. They fell out of favor once aluminum windows hit the scene and are only now enjoying a resurgence as the industrial trend has evolved into mainstream architecture.
Period-Appropriate
Black frames often look great on contemporary or modern homes, but Bagnato says he has also seen them used successfully on Victorian-era homes where “not only were the window frames painted black, but also the fascia and gutter” and wood trim. “This can work because the color black is not competing with any other color; it’s simply there to complement the red or brown brickwork.”
Bagnato is generally reluctant to use black frames on period homes if history says they weren’t black to begin with. “If you were adding a contemporary addition to the rear, use the black frames, but in the original part of the house use the appropriate period color.”
Caracoglia agrees. “If your house has a lot of character and charm, black frames can look like they don’t fit, like they don’t belong,” he says. “If it’s a contrasting addition, it can work, but I’m not usually a big fan of an addition that doesn’t fit with the rest of the house.”
Black frames often look great on contemporary or modern homes, but Bagnato says he has also seen them used successfully on Victorian-era homes where “not only were the window frames painted black, but also the fascia and gutter” and wood trim. “This can work because the color black is not competing with any other color; it’s simply there to complement the red or brown brickwork.”
Bagnato is generally reluctant to use black frames on period homes if history says they weren’t black to begin with. “If you were adding a contemporary addition to the rear, use the black frames, but in the original part of the house use the appropriate period color.”
Caracoglia agrees. “If your house has a lot of character and charm, black frames can look like they don’t fit, like they don’t belong,” he says. “If it’s a contrasting addition, it can work, but I’m not usually a big fan of an addition that doesn’t fit with the rest of the house.”
Gray and Other Shades
Caracoglia suggests looking at the colors in brickwork for inspiration when it comes to window frames. If the brick has gray tones or flecks in it, for example, gunmetal gray window frames can be the better choice over black. “It can bring out the colors in the brick,” he says.
Tell us: Are you tempted to use black window frames or do you have reservations? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
The Best Way to Get Your Windows Spotlessly Clean
How to Ditch the Drapes and Let Your Windows Shine
Caracoglia suggests looking at the colors in brickwork for inspiration when it comes to window frames. If the brick has gray tones or flecks in it, for example, gunmetal gray window frames can be the better choice over black. “It can bring out the colors in the brick,” he says.
Tell us: Are you tempted to use black window frames or do you have reservations? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
The Best Way to Get Your Windows Spotlessly Clean
How to Ditch the Drapes and Let Your Windows Shine
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Love love love. An absolute must though is that the panels are big enough to fit the Karcher window cleaner hahaha.
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