Three black-frame double-hung windows with white casing

The windows

Three double-hung windows in a row, black frames inside and out, with grids that divide each sash into lites. They were installed during a room renovation, which is why the photos show a plywood floor and a ladder: windows go in before drywall and flooring, not after.

Why black windows work

Black window frames are the biggest change in residential windows in a decade, and they are not just a trend. A black frame disappears against the view outside, so the window reads as a hole in the wall rather than a white rectangle. With white casing around it, the contrast makes the wall feel more finished than a plain white window ever does.

Two cautions we give every owner:

• Black frames show dust and pollen more than white ones. They want a wipe-down each spring.
• On a south or west wall in full sun, dark vinyl frames get hot. Fiberglass or composite frames handle it better. We match the frame material to the wall.

The installation

1. Openings framed square. New windows in a renovated wall get new framing, with the header sized for the opening.
2. Set, shimmed, checked. Each window is shimmed plumb and level and checked by opening and closing both sashes before it is fastened.
3. Insulated and sealed. Low-expansion foam in the gap around the frame, a sill pan underneath, exterior flashing tape to the housewrap.
4. Cased in white. Flat casing, a stool and an apron, painted white, which frames the black and ties the windows to the trim in the rest of the house.

Why the labels are still on

The labels on the glass carry the energy ratings and the serial numbers. We leave them until the final walkthrough so the owner can see what was installed and the inspector can read them. They peel off clean.

Grids or no grids

The grids in these windows sit between the glass panes, so they never need cleaning around. They suit an older or traditional house; on a very modern house we usually leave the glass clear. The owner's call, and we show samples of both.

Questions we get about black windows

Are black windows more expensive? Usually a little, for the exterior color. Black inside and out costs more than black outside and white inside. We price both.

Will they fade? Good vinyl and fiberglass frames use through-color or a bonded finish and carry a fade warranty. Cheap painted frames do fade. We only install windows with a color warranty.

Can I mix black and white windows on one house? Yes, and it is common: black on the front and sides, white in the back where nobody sees them. It saves money without changing the look from the street.

Timeline

Windows installed and cased in a day; the room continued after. Photos from September 2022.

*The town of this project will be added once we confirm it with the homeowner.*