Key Design Considerations for Replacement Kitchen Windows

Every room in your home has unique requirements when it comes to windows. If you are looking to upgrade your kitchen’s appearance through a remodel, certain considerations must be taken when choosing replacement windows. Here’s an in-depth look at each one.

Natural Lighting

The kitchen is one of the areas of your home with completely different lighting requirements. Focus lighting, for instance, is necessary when preparing food and cooking meals. Even so, the entire space should be flooded with sunlight coming through windows to make it more spacious and have a more cheerful look. Consider large windows with low U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) values for efficient insulation and high visible transmittance (VT) values for increased natural light.

Ventilation

The kitchen is prone to increased levels of humidity and poor indoor air quality. Cooking releases moisture and grease, damaging wooden components and causing unsightly stains. Having a range hood helps, but natural ventilation is vital nonetheless. Large, operable windows are recommended for this area of your home—casement windows and bow or bay windows allow for maximum ventilation. Make sure the kitchen has two openings for the windows; one for pulling fresh air in and another for taking out stale air.

Building Codes

Window replacement projects still have to follow both local and international building codes. For instance, the windows’ operable area must be at least 4% of the kitchen’s total floor area. Apart from the size and accessibility of egress windows, there are minimum safe distances that must also be observed. Ideally, the typical distance from a window to an electric cooktop should be a minimum of 16 inches.

Renewal by Andersen® of Louisville/Lexington is the leading window company you can turn to if you need custom-made replacement windows for your kitchen. We offer extensive window customization options, including styles, colors, hardware finishes, and grille patterns, to help add to your kitchen’s overall aesthetic.

Call us at (502) 716-7264 or fill out our contact form to request a virtual consultation with us. We serve residents of Louisville, KY, and the surrounding communities.