Why are window designs inconsistent in houses? (muntins, windows, stone)

[Andy1369]

I noticed that suburban tract homes tend to have the front windows be those kind of windows that have white/black panes in them - but looking at those houses on Zillow, the back/sides of the houses have windows that are blank (as in, no panes inside).

This post will have two photos as an example. One is the front of the house, with windows that obviously have 'panes' in them, and another of a room inside that same house with no 'panes' inside the window, for a room that is facing either the side or back of the house.

I grew up in a house that have all windows be the same - panes inside the windows. So, what gives with the inconsistent designs of the windows in many houses?

Thanks!

[randomparent]

No clue. The windows in my house are consistent, with the exception of the slider to the backyard, which is undivided. I suppose the issue could be cost. That was probably the case for the interior doors in my house. Downstairs are solid-core Colonial style doors while upstairs are hollow-core flat doors.

[headingtoDenver]

I think it comes down to developers and what they can get on sale at the time the plans are developed. My current house (2006) has windows that are all the same style and construction.

I also had an 80s home and there were no two windows the same size. I swear they just put in whatever they had left over in some warehouse.

[AminWi]

I believe it is a cost issue. It is slightly more expensive for the windows with grilles. In the same way, many suburban homes will have some brick or stone detailing (and sometimes even a full facade) in the front of the house, but none on the sides or back.

[elnina]

Cost. Lots of people (when they remodel) do nice fronts, and don't really care about the back. When money is tight, they will only do what is visible from the curb.
Most builders do the same - when you look at the houses, you will notice that the front is almost always finished much nicer than the back. It's called a curb "appearance"

[JR_C]

Just FYI, the bars that divide a single pane of glass into smaller rectangles are called muntins.


In most new windows, they are fake, so I'd rather they weren't there at all.

[Aredhel]

Pure and simple - curb appeal. The general public only sees the front of the house, so the less-decorative (and therefore less expensive) windows are used on the back and sides, while the front is "dressed up" with fancier windows.

[K'ledgeBldr]

It's both cost AND appeal-

Developers will set standards/covenents for builders to follow; like windows with grilles/mutins/divided lites- whatever you want to call them. But the standard usually covers the front only (and sides if house is on a corner).

So, consequently builders won't bother with "divided" windows for the rest of the house- saving a few dollars for other amenities.

The other thing- the interior window pic was of a slider window- window manufacturers usually don't do "divided sliders"- it would just look a little weird!

[Andy1369]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

The other thing- the interior window pic was of a slider window- window manufacturers usually don't do "divided sliders"- it would just look a little weird!

Really? I'm a bit unclear in what you mean; I've seen plenty of slider windows with mutins/griddles in them. Is this what you were referring to? link: Lori Gilder

[luv4horses]

Well, I have an idea. The front muntins look great from the outside, while the open sash for the back gives a clear unobstructed view of the back yard. Nobody cares much about looking out the front windows, they are mostly for light, and new houses do not always have a beautiful landscape or view to the front anyway, whereas the back yard may have gardens or children to watch over, and the back windows are larger because there is less of a privacy issue. Thus the front is for curb appeal from the street while the back if for the owners to enjoy from the indoor vantage point.