The 3 Best Windows for Beach Houses

When you own a beautiful beach house, you know the importance of stellar, spacious windows from day one so you can enjoy a beautiful oceanic sunrise or sunset. After all, without good beach house windows, you won’t enjoy the bright sunshine of each day, let alone be able to open up the house and bring some of that fresh sea air inside to revitalize the mind and body.

But sooner or later, storm clouds will form in the sky, and your windows need to be up to snuff to prevent major damage and flooding. Fortunately, the best windows for beach houses offer safety alongside other key qualities. Let’s take a closer look.

Major things to look for in beach house windows

When it comes to beach house windows, you need to make sure each window has a few important attributes.

Impact resistance

Firstly, excellent windows for your coastal home will have high impact resistance ratings. “Impact” windows in North Carolina are those that meet the building and construction specifications of the North Carolina State Building Code, which requires glass to be a certain thickness, glazing to be of a certain composition, and more.

Impact windows are constructed with special tempered and fortified glass, plus thick frames made of vinyl, aluminum, faux wood, or fiberglass. Beach house impact windows don’t normally come with true wood frames, as real wood can degrade quickly when exposed to salty sea air. Crucially, impact windowpanes don’t splinter or shatter as easily as other window types, so they’re safer options for beach houses in Port City and beyond.

The easiest way to make sure your windows are tough enough to withstand hurricane-level winds is to work with a local window supplier like Window World of Port City. Window World’s official impact windows are “up to code” and are plenty resilient to keep your family in your home safe.

Energy efficiency

But it’s also smart to look for energy-efficient beach house windows. Energy-efficient windows – identified by having “Low-E” coatings – are excellent picks for homeowners because:

• They reduce your energy bill since they let less sunlight in and less home heat out. By doing this, they also lower your carbon footprint.
• They offer enhanced noise insulation, so they keep your home quiet when the windows are shut.
• They protect your furniture and carpet from UV rays, which can cause fabric colors to fade over time.

Good news! Many of the best windows for beachside or coastal homes are both impact resistant and energy efficient, especially when you work with local window experts.

Aesthetic appeal

You can’t forget the aesthetic appeal of a given set of windows, of course! If your home is positioned right on the coast with a view of the waves, you want to be able to see outside.

The best beach house windows for coastal homeowners usually offer durability, energy efficiency, and visibility, all in the same package. You'll also find that many good beach home windows are available with different frame materials and colors, as well as different shapes – it’s certainly possible to replace your current windows with new ones that perfectly fit your home’s architectural style and color scheme.

Throw in some beach house window treatments, and your new windows will look like they’ve been part of your home from the very beginning.

The best beach house window types

If you’re wondering which windows usually fit the bill described above, rest assured you have several options. Any or all these window types could be just what you’re looking for, depending on how many windows you want to replace.

1. Single-hung windows

Single-hung windows have a lower operable sash and a fixed window sash above. They’re easy to open and close, and you can always lock them securely with simple yet effective latches when a storm approaches. These beach house windows are popular options for bedrooms, bathrooms, and more. Impact sliding windows combine operability with high wind resistance – great for homes exposed to strong seaside winds.

2. Sliding windows

Then there are sliding windows, which can easily meet your need for fresh ocean breezes now and again. Many sliding windows are spacious with large glass surface areas, so they let in plenty of natural light while still holding up against crashing waves and hurricane winds alike. You might find sliding windows are good choices for bedrooms, kitchens, or dining rooms.

3. Casement & awning windows

If you’re looking for more specialized options, you might prefer impact casement and awning windows. Both of these window types open with mechanical hinges, enabling you to enjoy the sea air, but they move a little differently. Casement windows have side-mounted hinges, and their panels swing outward to the side, while awning windows have top-mounted hinges, so their glass panels open up and out.

In either case, you’ll find replacement casement and awning windows are ideal for maximizing airflow throughout your beach house and offering enough natural light to ensure your property feels open, natural, and well-lit all day long. Many coastal homeowners prefer these windows in their kitchens and dining rooms.

Other beach house window options

While these three are the prime types of windows for beach homes, other window types – like bay and bow windows, picture windows, and windows in architectural shapes – might also work for your home depending on its shape, style, and your home's exact location.

Just keep in mind that the larger your windows are, the more expensive they are to install with impact-resistant glass. For example, a wide picture window will be a pricier upgrade compared to a more compact single-hung window or set of smaller windows.

Need help choosing & installing beach house windows?

If you’re still stuck finding the best coastal windows, remember that you don’t need to tackle the search alone. The knowledgeable experts at Window World of the Port City are the perfect people to call, and here’s why:

• They know all about what you need in terms of impact-resistant glass and energy efficiency.
• They offer several types of windows that are good for beach homes.
• They’re ready and able to handle installation, too!

Why wait? Give your beach home the renovation you’ve always wanted, and contact Window World of the Port City today!