The Allure of Black-Framed Windows – Faux Pas or Fabulous?
Are black frames a good fit for the windows and doors of your next project, or are they a mistake waiting to happen?
The widespread love affair many of us have had with industrial-inspired interiors has translated into a number of trends that can work in a variety of homes – industrial-style or not – and one of the most alluring of these is black window frames and doors. They can work just as well in a contemporary home as they can on a modern extension, or sometimes even a century-old house in need of a cosmetic upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. But are black window frames always a good idea? Let’s ask the experts.
“Black window frames are becoming more popular because they are what we call a ‘forgiving colour’,” says architect Dominic Bagnato. “You can apply them to a building and just about every other colour used adjacent to them can be sympathetic… they are like a classic black suit – everything looks great in black and you can style what goes with it accordingly.”
Blending in
“Contrary to what people think, black windows don’t stick out as much on a wall surface as many other colours do, and often look like a shadow line and disappear,” says Bagnato. “When you are in the home looking out the window, the black frame disappears and you simply see out the clear window.”
This disappearing act is also the reason black nets are used on tennis courts – the players’ focus can remain on the ball.
“Contrary to what people think, black windows don’t stick out as much on a wall surface as many other colours do, and often look like a shadow line and disappear,” says Bagnato. “When you are in the home looking out the window, the black frame disappears and you simply see out the clear window.”
This disappearing act is also the reason black nets are used on tennis courts – the players’ focus can remain on the ball.
Bagnato advises against using black if you want to highlight the windows as a feature of the house, because they will disappear. The attractive timber cladding is allowed to be the star of this house, for example, thanks to the black-framed doors and windows. White frames would have competed with the timber for pride of place.
Bagnato opted for black window and door frames on this project – the conversion of an old church into a home fit for modern family living.
Take a tour around this home
Take a tour around this home
Is it always so black and white?
Black frames aren’t always the way to go, however. The Drafting Studio building designer Paul Caracoglia says black frames can look out of place in a light and airy space where white is the predominant colour. White frames work best for the windows in this light-filled open-plan kitchen/dining area, for example, but black has been used effectively on the threshold separating the more traditional main house from the contemporary addition.
Black frames aren’t always the way to go, however. The Drafting Studio building designer Paul Caracoglia says black frames can look out of place in a light and airy space where white is the predominant colour. White frames work best for the windows in this light-filled open-plan kitchen/dining area, for example, but black has been used effectively on the threshold separating the more traditional main house from the contemporary addition.
“Make sure black frames tie in as well from the inside as they do from the outside,” says Caracoglia.
As this photo shows, black frames can enhance the view out a window and draw the eye outside.
In a bushland, garden or ocean setting, “black blends into the view while white frames the view,” says Caracoglia.
In a bushland, garden or ocean setting, “black blends into the view while white frames the view,” says Caracoglia.
Beating the heat
It pays to be aware of a potential downside to black window frames. “The black colour will absorb more heat, which can be a good thing, depending on the area,” says Caracoglia. But if your windows face the western sun or it gets particularly hot where you live, heat transfer can be a definite negative. Fortunately, there is a solution.
If your black window frames are aluminium, Caracoglia suggests opting for thermally broken frames – they feature plastic separators to prevent heat from transferring between the internal and external frames. And that means a cooler home.
It pays to be aware of a potential downside to black window frames. “The black colour will absorb more heat, which can be a good thing, depending on the area,” says Caracoglia. But if your windows face the western sun or it gets particularly hot where you live, heat transfer can be a definite negative. Fortunately, there is a solution.
If your black window frames are aluminium, Caracoglia suggests opting for thermally broken frames – they feature plastic separators to prevent heat from transferring between the internal and external frames. And that means a cooler home.
Instant elegance
Aluminium is a budget-friendly window option for renovations and new builds, but choosing black over the other colours available is an easy way to make a home look more ‘expensive’.
Windows of Opportunity: Your Guide to High-Performance Glazing
Aluminium is a budget-friendly window option for renovations and new builds, but choosing black over the other colours available is an easy way to make a home look more ‘expensive’.
Windows of Opportunity: Your Guide to High-Performance Glazing
Although timber frames can be painted black, Bagnato rarely advises doing so.
“Black aluminium windows will always look more expensive than their timber counterpart painted black,” he says. And then there’s the other option, black steel frames, which can take a home even further upmarket.
“Black aluminium windows will always look more expensive than their timber counterpart painted black,” he says. And then there’s the other option, black steel frames, which can take a home even further upmarket.
The beauty of black steel
Steel frames are more expensive than both timber and aluminium frames, but if you’re after an industrial or contemporary aesthetic – and your budget allows – blackened steel could be the way to go.
Steel-framed windows have an appealing ‘handmade’ patina, an imperfect finish (as opposed to the smooth finish of aluminium) that delivers texture as well as visual appeal, particularly when blackened. The strength of steel means it can cope with larger panes of glass, and slimline mullions are more easily achievable than with aluminium or timber.
Steel-framed windows were first used for industrial purposes in factories and then, from the early 20th century, in residential architecture. They fell out of favour once aluminium windows hit the scene and are only now enjoying a resurgence in popularity as the industrial-style home trend evolves into mainstream architecture.
Steel frames are more expensive than both timber and aluminium frames, but if you’re after an industrial or contemporary aesthetic – and your budget allows – blackened steel could be the way to go.
Steel-framed windows have an appealing ‘handmade’ patina, an imperfect finish (as opposed to the smooth finish of aluminium) that delivers texture as well as visual appeal, particularly when blackened. The strength of steel means it can cope with larger panes of glass, and slimline mullions are more easily achievable than with aluminium or timber.
Steel-framed windows were first used for industrial purposes in factories and then, from the early 20th century, in residential architecture. They fell out of favour once aluminium windows hit the scene and are only now enjoying a resurgence in popularity as the industrial-style home trend evolves into mainstream architecture.
Suiting the style
Black frames often look great on contemporary or modern homes, but Bagnato says he has also seen them used successfully on Victorian-period homes where “not only were the window frames are painted black, but also the fascia and gutter and all other timber trimmings,” he says. “This can work because the colour black is not competing with any other colour; it’s simply there to complement the red or brown brickwork.”
However, Bagnato is generally reluctant to use black frames on period homes if history says they were not black to begin with. “If you were adding a contemporary addition to the rear, use black frames; but in the original part of the house, use the appropriate period colour,” he says.
Caracoglia agrees. “If your house has a lot of character and charm, black frames can look like they don’t fit, like they don’t belong,” he says. “If it’s a contrasting addition, it can work, but I’m not usually a big fan of an addition that doesn’t fit with the rest of the house.”
Black frames often look great on contemporary or modern homes, but Bagnato says he has also seen them used successfully on Victorian-period homes where “not only were the window frames are painted black, but also the fascia and gutter and all other timber trimmings,” he says. “This can work because the colour black is not competing with any other colour; it’s simply there to complement the red or brown brickwork.”
However, Bagnato is generally reluctant to use black frames on period homes if history says they were not black to begin with. “If you were adding a contemporary addition to the rear, use black frames; but in the original part of the house, use the appropriate period colour,” he says.
Caracoglia agrees. “If your house has a lot of character and charm, black frames can look like they don’t fit, like they don’t belong,” he says. “If it’s a contrasting addition, it can work, but I’m not usually a big fan of an addition that doesn’t fit with the rest of the house.”
Shades of grey
Caracoglia suggests looking at the colours in brickwork for inspiration when it comes to window frames. If the brick has grey tones or flecks in it, for example, gunmetal grey window frames – rather than black – can be a better choice. “It can bring out the colours in the brick,” he says.
Your say
Are you tempted to use black window frames or do you have reservations? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like and save this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
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Caracoglia suggests looking at the colours in brickwork for inspiration when it comes to window frames. If the brick has grey tones or flecks in it, for example, gunmetal grey window frames – rather than black – can be a better choice. “It can bring out the colours in the brick,” he says.
Your say
Are you tempted to use black window frames or do you have reservations? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like and save this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Renovating on a Budget: How to Get More From Your Windows for Less
Windows That Expose Your Bathroom to Light Without Exposing You
How Low Can You Go? Windows That Let in the Light at Floor Height
In the right space, black-framed windows and doors can add serious drama and style. They can set the scene for elegant and traditional interiors, as Brendan Wong Design has created in this Sydney home, but they can work just as well as a backdrop to ultra-contemporary or industrial styles too.
Find an interior designer on Houzz near you for customised advice on choosing the right window frames and doors