33 Chic French Window Ideas With Pros And Cons

chic french window ideas with pros and cons cover

What are French windows? French windows are traditionally long and narrow and feature two panels that open outwards or inwards. Unlike casement windows, there’s no fixed post between the two panes when open which creates a spacious opening. They look very elegant and timeless and will fit many spaces but before you decide on them, let’s check out all the pros and cons.

Pros

French windows allow plenty of natural light into the property room when closed. Plus, more than other types of window when open thanks to there being no central diving point. Depending on where they’re installed, it’s possible for a French window to also act as a door (they’re still a window though). A French window opens out nice and wide to create a large space to keep your property well ventilated.

You get some flexibility with French windows as you can choose to have the panes hinged so that they open either inwards or outwards. When closed, French windows will help prevent any heat from escaping. They’ll do the same when it comes to blocking outdoor noise from making its way into the home.

A reinforced frame design makes French windows very secure. You can even add to this security with double or triple glazing. Another benefit of there being no vertical crossbar is that they can be used as a wide emergency exit. Modern French windows are made from PVC or aluminium, both of which require little maintenance.

a beautiful living room with neutrals and dark touches, with double height French windows and round ones, with lots of greenery

a beautiful living room with neutrals and dark touches, with double height French windows and round ones, with lots of greenery

a big white French window is an ideal fit for a Provence-styled kitchen done in neutrals, it brings a lot of natural light and cool views

a big white French window is an ideal fit for a Provence-styled kitchen done in neutrals, it brings a lot of natural light and cool views

a chic bedroom in white and grey, with a black canopy bed and black French windows, neutral textiles and black lamps

a chic bedroom in white and grey, with a black canopy bed and black French windows, neutral textiles and black lamps

a chic black French window will bring light in and will make your space more refined, black touches create a dramatic feel

a chic black French window will bring light in and will make your space more refined, black touches create a dramatic feel

a chic neutral dining room with French windows, a trestle wooden table, woven chairs, a chic chandelier and neutral curtains is amazing

a chic neutral dining room with French windows, a trestle wooden table, woven chairs, a chic chandelier and neutral curtains is amazing

a cozy and welcoming neutral farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, French windows, brass pendant lamps

a cozy and welcoming neutral farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, French windows, brass pendant lamps

a cozy dining space with large French windows, a woven floating seating, a wooden round rable, a pendant lamp is amazing

a cozy dining space with large French windows, a woven floating seating, a wooden round rable, a pendant lamp is amazing

a cozy farmhouse kitchen with a dining space, French windows, neutral cabinetry, a butcherblock table and black chairs, a black pendant lamp

a cozy farmhouse kitchen with a dining space, French windows, neutral cabinetry, a butcherblock table and black chairs, a black pendant lamp

a French farmhouse living room in neutrals with a large arched French window, neutral furniture, a low coffee table and greenery

a French farmhouse living room in neutrals with a large arched French window, neutral furniture, a low coffee table and greenery

a French farmhouse open layout with lots of French windows and doors that will it with natural light and add chic

a French farmhouse open layout with lots of French windows and doors that will it with natural light and add chic

a large French window with a built-in daybed and shelves, with sconces and a refined side table make up a gorgeous nook

a large French window with a built-in daybed and shelves, with sconces and a refined side table make up a gorgeous nook

a large French window with a cozy windowsill sofa styled with lots of pillows that is a lovely alternative to a usual sofa in the living room

a large French window with a cozy windowsill sofa styled with lots of pillows that is a lovely alternative to a usual sofa in the living room

Cons

French windows are so long and resemble doors, it can be a challenge finding an appropriate place to have them installed. And if your property does have an ideal location then you may want to consider French doors so that you have a spacious walkway to the outside.

You also need to bear in mind that they swing open – either outwards or inwards. So ample space will be needed to allow them to open fully, that’s important to keep in mind.

French windows usually cost a bit more than usual ones due to their refined design and more materials required for them. Now as you can consider all the pros and cons of French windows, would you order such windows for your home?

a lovely dining room with an oversized French window, a round table and rounded chairs, a pendant lamp and printed curtains

a lovely dining room with an oversized French window, a round table and rounded chairs, a pendant lamp and printed curtains

a modern farmhouse dining space with large French windows, a corner seating, a round table, woven chairs and neutral and printed pillows

a modern farmhouse dining space with large French windows, a corner seating, a round table, woven chairs and neutral and printed pillows

a modern farmhouse living room in neutrals, with black framed French windows, a built-in fireplace, neutral furniture and a wooden console table

a modern farmhouse living room in neutrals, with black framed French windows, a built-in fireplace, neutral furniture and a wooden console table

a neutral kitchen with grey stone countertops and black painted double-height French windows is a lovely and cool space

a neutral kitchen with grey stone countertops and black painted double-height French windows is a lovely and cool space

a pretty and welcoming neutral living room with tall French windows, refined vintage furniture, a glass coffee table and printed pillows

a pretty and welcoming neutral living room with tall French windows, refined vintage furniture, a glass coffee table and printed pillows

a grey-white kitchen design

a grey-white kitchen design

a refined neutral kitchen with grey cabinetry, white stone countertops, an arched French window, chic fixtures and lamps and decorative bowls on the wall

a refined neutral kitchen with grey cabinetry, white stone countertops, an arched French window, chic fixtures and lamps and decorative bowls on the wall

a refined sitting space with large French windows, a round table, neutral vintage chairs, potted greenery and a table lamp is chic

a refined sitting space with large French windows, a round table, neutral vintage chairs, potted greenery and a table lamp is chic

a refined vintage bathroom with a tall French arched window, a tub with paneling, an upholstered ottoman and a leather chair

a refined vintage bathroom with a tall French arched window, a tub with paneling, an upholstered ottoman and a leather chair

a refined white bathroom with a marble floor, an alcove with large French windows, a refined bathtub, a chair and a chic chandelier

a refined white bathroom with a marble floor, an alcove with large French windows, a refined bathtub, a chair and a chic chandelier

a rustic vintage dining space with wooden beams, a black buffet, a wooden trestle table, grey chairs and pendant lamps

a rustic vintage dining space with wooden beams, a black buffet, a wooden trestle table, grey chairs and pendant lamps

a shabby chic dining space with large French windows, a shelf with bottles, blue and white vintage furniture and a large chandelier

a shabby chic dining space with large French windows, a shelf with bottles, blue and white vintage furniture and a large chandelier

a sophisticated neutral living room with round and French windows, neutral furniture, floor lamps, a piano and a black console table

a sophisticated neutral living room with round and French windows, neutral furniture, floor lamps, a piano and a black console table

a statement and dramatic living room with French windows, neutral and black furniture, a chandelier and a black dresser is amazing

a statement and dramatic living room with French windows, neutral and black furniture, a chandelier and a black dresser is amazing

a stylish and elegant kitchen in white and black, with black painted French windows, black table lamps, a dark kitchen island and potted plants

a stylish and elegant kitchen in white and black, with black painted French windows, black table lamps, a dark kitchen island and potted plants

a stylish modern black kitchen with a large skylight and French windows with black frames, a black hood and a parquet floor

a stylish modern black kitchen with a large skylight and French windows with black frames, a black hood and a parquet floor

a vintage-inspired rustic sunroom with French windows and whole walls, a glass slated roof, potted blooms and a tree and colorful touches

a vintage-inspired rustic sunroom with French windows and whole walls, a glass slated roof, potted blooms and a tree and colorful touches

a welcoming nook - French windows and a windowsill daybed plus a dark stained coffee table for placing books and drinks

a welcoming nook - French windows and a windowsill daybed plus a dark stained coffee table for placing books and drinks

a welcoming reading nook with a large French window, a tan chair and a footrest, some lamps and books is a cool space to have a rest

a welcoming reading nook with a large French window, a tan chair and a footrest, some lamps and books is a cool space to have a rest

an airy and neutral bedroom with French windows, wooden beams, neutral furniture, pale pink curtains is ethereal

an airy and neutral bedroom with French windows, wooden beams, neutral furniture, pale pink curtains is ethereal

several black windows, a built-in seating in the niche, a large table, a faceted pendant lamp and vintage black chairs

several black windows, a built-in seating in the niche, a large table, a faceted pendant lamp and vintage black chairs