Higher windows or lower? (Pics)

17 years ago

The cabinets are ordered and will be ready in about 2 weeks or so and we have the windows ready to install right after it all gets demo'd. I thought I had this simple aspect figured out, but now I'm seeing windows installed higher up from the counter, say 6"-8". Wondering about form vs. function, I guess.

Our existing windows are level with the counters (with a slight Silestone sill,) But I'm thinking that having them rasied might be better particularly on the left 34" window, because that's a west facing wall and gets hot for setting food out, say for a buffet.

Raised....

Or lowered...

(These are not the final cabinets, but the only 2 I have where there is a difference in the window height. There will also be some type of valance - wood hopefully, but I wanted to wait until the windows were in to decide on that one.)

Just wondering what advantage one might have over the other, welcoming all thoughts!

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Comments (5)

Jodi_SoCal
17 years ago
Depends on how tall you are I guess. At 5'1" I would prefer a lower window, especially the one by the sink.

Jodi-
plllog
17 years ago
My windows are raised. They're fine. One is southern. My new windows will be counter height (continuous, no sill). What I'm losing is the ability to prop cutting boards to dry behind the faucet.

I think the best way to figure out your westering sun issue is to make a cardboard backsplash the height you're thinking of for under the sill, and prop it in place. See how much shadow you get when the sun is coming straight in the window and if it's actually a big enough difference to protect the food.

The sun changes angle and sunset time all through the year, however, and it might be easier to control this with a good window shade.

For aesthetics, I worry more about the height of the top of the windows than the bottom. Given that you already have the windows, I'd go with that...
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socalusa
Original Author
17 years ago
jodi_in_so_calif - I'm 5'4, so not a bunch taller than you (I still consider myself slightly vertically challenged. lol) I think I'll still be able to reach to open/close the window if it's higher. I like the look of both.

plllog - Well, we do have a Bali pull down shade on the existing window AND an umbrella set outside the window for protection against our hot August So Cal sun.

I did have a beautiful plum tree that shaded that side of the house, but had to remove it because it had insect issues. The tree we planted 3 years ago has yet to live up to MY eventual potential of some nice shade and it may take 5 more years before that occurs. I think the idea of holding up cardboard to check the shade is a great idea.

P. S. I'd rather have had taller windows, but DH likes a valance of some type. As it is, the window to the left of the corner cabs has been reordered as it has to be smaller to accommodate me insisting on having a left cabinet on the the corner cab.

Sometimes we just have to pick our battles, I guess...;-)
palimpsest
17 years ago
How does it look on the OUTside of the house. On many houses, not all, that should take precedence.
socalusa
Original Author
17 years ago
Actually the west facing window is on the back yard side of the house and the sink window is on the north looking out to the back yard & pool. The only thing that would enter into it would be that DH is building a bar/cabinet under the sink window. (I already got nixed on a pass through window, so I don't think that 6" or so would affect it that much.)

Thanks - a different perspective that I hadn't considered.