We had a similar experience when we renovated our 1930s bungalow. At first, I was dead set on keeping everything traditional—those multi-pane windows seemed like a must-have to preserve the charm. But after living with them for a while, I realized they were actually making the rooms feel darker and busier than I liked.
When we finally bit the bullet and swapped out the front windows for simpler, contemporary styles (Simonton too, actually), it was kind of eye-opening. Suddenly, the original woodwork around the windows and doors stood out in a way it never had before. It felt like we'd given the house room to breathe again. Funny how simplifying one thing can make everything else shine more clearly.
That said, I still kept traditional windows in our small reading nook at the back of the house—something about that cozy space just felt right with smaller panes and a more old-school vibe. So yeah, definitely depends on the room and what you're going for.
Sounds like you made a good call though. It's always nice when a design choice you're unsure about ends up working better than expected...makes all those renovation headaches worth it in the end.
We went through something similar with our old farmhouse. Initially, I was convinced traditional windows were the only way to go—until we installed a contemporary picture window in the dining room. It was like someone turned on a light switch...the whole space felt brighter and more inviting. Still kept traditional panes upstairs though; they just fit better there. Sounds like you found a nice balance too, especially with that cozy reading nook. Renovations are always full of surprises, aren't they?
Had a similar dilemma when we redid our living room windows. I was skeptical about contemporary styles at first—thought they'd clash with our older home's vibe—but honestly, the energy savings alone made it worth it. Sometimes practicality wins out over aesthetics...at least downstairs. Upstairs, traditional still rules for me.
"Sometimes practicality wins out over aesthetics...at least downstairs."
Totally agree with this. If you're leaning toward contemporary, look closely at the U-factor and SHGC ratings—Simonton's newer styles usually have better insulation specs. Might not match perfectly, but your energy bills will thank you later.
Went contemporary downstairs myself purely for insulation reasons—definitely saw the difference on my heating bill. But curious, anyone notice if the contemporary styles hold up better long-term, maintenance-wise? I'd hate to trade one headache for another...
"But curious, anyone notice if the contemporary styles hold up better long-term, maintenance-wise?"
Honestly, I haven't noticed contemporary holding up any better. Had a neighbor go contemporary—looked sleek at first, but after a few years, seals started giving him trouble. Maybe it's brand-specific rather than style...?
I've installed quite a few Simonton windows over the years, both contemporary and traditional styles. Honestly, from what I've seen, the style itself doesn't seem to be the main factor in durability or maintenance issues. Usually, it's more about the quality of materials and installation practices.
For instance, contemporary windows often have slimmer frames and larger glass areas, which can look fantastic—especially if you're going for that clean, minimalist aesthetic. But here's the thing: larger glass surfaces mean more exposure to temperature fluctuations and UV rays. Over time, this can put extra stress on seals and glazing. Traditional styles typically have thicker frames and sometimes smaller glass panes, which might offer a bit more structural support and insulation around the edges.
That said, Simonton generally has a solid reputation for quality seals and decent longevity regardless of style. If your neighbor had seal issues after just a few years, it could've been an installation hiccup or even a defective batch rather than something inherent to contemporary designs. I've seen similar issues pop up occasionally with traditional windows too—usually traced back to rushed installs or improper flashing.
One thing I'd suggest is checking out the warranty details closely. Simonton usually offers pretty good coverage on seal failures, but it's worth double-checking specifics for each style you're considering. Also, consider your local climate conditions—extreme heat or cold can accelerate seal wear regardless of window style.
Curious though...has anyone here had experience with Simonton's contemporary line specifically in harsher climates? Would be interesting to hear if they've held up differently compared to traditional ones under tougher conditions.
"Usually, it's more about the quality of materials and installation practices."
Totally agree with this part. I've had Simonton contemporary picture windows installed for about 6 years now, and I live in an area with pretty harsh winters. Honestly, they've held up fine—no seal issues or fogging yet. That said, I made sure the installation was done carefully (watched the crew like a hawk, lol).
I get the concern about larger glass areas and UV exposure though. My neighbor has traditional Simonton windows, and weirdly enough, he's had a couple seal failures already. Could've been a bad batch or rushed install, who knows...but it does make me think it's not strictly a style issue.
Definitely second your advice on checking warranty details closely. Simonton's customer service was pretty responsive when my neighbor had his issues, so that's reassuring at least.
Interesting points all around. I've had traditional Simonton picture windows for about 8 years now, and honestly, they've been pretty solid overall. I did have one window develop a seal issue after about 5 years, but Simonton replaced it without much hassle. Like you said, their customer service was pretty responsive, so that's a plus.
I do wonder though...could the difference in performance between contemporary and traditional styles have something to do with the glass size or maybe even the frame design? I mean, larger glass areas might flex or expand differently under temperature extremes, right? Just thinking out loud here.
Also agree that installation quality is huge. When we had ours put in, the crew seemed careful enough, but I wasn't exactly hovering over them (maybe I should've been more like you, haha). Still, only one issue in 8 years isn't too bad considering our summers get brutally hot and winters can be pretty rough too.
One thing I'd add—if you're worried about UV exposure and fading furniture or floors inside, maybe consider adding a low-E coating or some kind of UV protection film? We did that on our south-facing windows after noticing some fading on our hardwood floors. Made a noticeable difference without affecting visibility much at all.
Anyway, sounds like either style could work fine as long as you keep an eye on installation quality and warranty details. Good luck deciding—window shopping (literally) can be surprisingly stressful...who knew?
I had a similar dilemma last year when we replaced our old windows—ended up going with Simonton's contemporary style. Honestly, the larger glass area was a big selling point for us since we wanted to maximize natural light. I haven't noticed any issues yet, but it's only been about 14 months, so fingers crossed.
You mentioned UV protection, and that's actually something we overlooked initially. After about six months, my wife noticed the couch upholstery fading slightly near our big front window (faces west, gets crazy afternoon sun). We ended up adding a low-E coating afterward, and it really helped slow down the fading without making things look too dark or tinted inside.
As far as installation goes, totally agree it's key. We lucked out with a really meticulous installer who triple-checked everything—I felt kind of awkward hovering around him at first, but he didn't seem to mind me asking questions (probably used to anxious homeowners like me by now, haha). He explained that larger glass surfaces can indeed expand and contract differently depending on weather extremes, but said that proper framing and installation usually mitigate most of those issues.
Anyway, I think either style would probably serve you well as long as you get quality installation. And yeah, window shopping is surprisingly stressful...I remember feeling weirdly overwhelmed by all the little details and options. Good luck!