That's a good point about the glass finish, but I think there's another angle worth considering—energy efficiency. Contemporary windows often have slimmer frames and larger glass areas, which can actually boost natural lighting and passive solar heating. I've noticed in my own home that the extra sunlight from larger, modern-style windows helps keep rooms warmer in winter without cranking up the thermostat. Of course, you'd want to pair them with quality coatings or glazing to avoid overheating in summer, but that's pretty manageable these days.
Also, about smudges and scratches...honestly, after a while you stop noticing them as much. I was worried about fingerprints at first too, but now it's just part of life—quick wipe-down every now and then and you're good. Traditional windows definitely have their charm, but don't discount contemporary styles if you're looking to maximize natural light and energy savings.
Good insights on energy efficiency, hadn't thought about passive heating much. Curious though, have you noticed any difference in noise levels with the larger glass area? Wondering if contemporary styles handle outside sounds differently...
I've installed quite a few contemporary-style windows lately, and honestly, noise levels can vary quite a bit depending on the glass package rather than just the style itself. Last summer, I replaced a client's traditional picture window with a contemporary one—larger glass area, slimmer frames—and we didn't notice any significant increase in outside noise. But here's the thing: they opted for laminated glass, which makes a huge difference in sound dampening. On another job, someone went with standard double-pane glass, and they did mention hearing traffic a bit more clearly afterward. So, I'd say it's less about contemporary vs traditional and more about the glass options you choose. Have you looked into laminated or triple-pane glass yet? Might be worth considering if noise is a concern...
"Have you looked into laminated or triple-pane glass yet? Might be worth considering if noise is a concern..."
Good point about the glass options. When I was researching windows for my first place, I found that laminated glass really does make a noticeable difference in noise reduction. Triple-pane is great too, but from what I've seen, laminated tends to offer better sound dampening per dollar spent. I'd probably prioritize that over style alone if traffic noise is an issue...
- Laminated glass is definitely underrated for noise reduction, especially if you're near a busy street or something.
- Triple-pane is solid too, but honestly, I've seen some triple-pane installs that didn't quite live up to expectations for sound dampening.
- Curious though, have you considered how the contemporary vs traditional styles might affect the thickness or compatibility with laminated glass? Some slimmer frames might limit your options...
Good points, but honestly, frame style probably won't limit your glass options much. I've had contemporary frames with laminated glass installed—no issues. Just double-check with Simonton directly; sometimes sales reps exaggerate compatibility problems...
"sometimes sales reps exaggerate compatibility problems..."
Yeah, I've definitely run into that before. When we replaced our old windows a few years back, the rep made it sound like mixing styles was practically impossible. But when the installers showed up, they just shrugged and said, "Happens all the time." Go figure.
We ended up going contemporary in the living room and traditional upstairs—honestly can't tell much difference in terms of glass options or insulation quality. One thing I did notice though: cleaning contemporary frames seems easier because there are fewer grooves for dirt to hide in. Has anyone else found maintenance differences between Simonton's contemporary and traditional frames? Curious if it's just me...
I've seen similar things happen with my customers. Sales reps sometimes make it sound like mixing window styles is asking for trouble, but honestly, with the right installers, it's usually no big deal. One homeowner I worked with had traditional Simonton windows upstairs and contemporary downstairs, pretty much like your setup. She mentioned the same thing about cleaning—those sleek contemporary frames definitely trap less grime. Traditional frames look nice, but man, they love to collect dust and dirt in those little crevices...
Interesting point about the grime factor—never really thought about that before. I'm always looking at windows from an energy efficiency angle, and honestly, both contemporary and traditional Simonton styles tend to perform similarly if they're installed right. But now you've got me wondering... does the extra dust buildup on traditional frames actually affect their long-term efficiency? Like, could the dirt and debris eventually mess with the seals or insulation?
I helped a friend install contemporary Simontons last summer (well, mostly handed him tools and drank iced tea, but still counts), and I gotta say, those smooth frames were pretty slick. Easy to wipe down, too. But I also get why people love traditional frames—there's something cozy about that classic look. Guess it comes down to how much you enjoy cleaning windows vs. how much you value aesthetics. Tough call, lol.
Dirt and grime won't directly compromise seals or insulation, but buildup can trap moisture over time, potentially accelerating wear. Regular cleaning helps, but honestly...it's more about aesthetics and maintenance effort than efficiency. I'd personally lean contemporary—less hassle overall.