Five Design Elements for Every FarmhousePossibilities for Windows and Doors

Farmhouse: Comfortably Rugged and ChicAlthough it’s been hundreds of years since the first farmhouses appeared

in America, the defining elements of the style still hold true in the modern

incarnations. Farmhouses aren’t just for farms anymore either. You’ll find

them in both rural and urban areas. To talk about Farmhouse style isn’t

so much about the architecture but rather the details. From shiplap to

painted brick, there’s an opportunity for anyone to create their Farmhouse

dream home.

In this idea inspired ebook, we’ll be talking about the role of windows and

doors in Farmhouse design, focusing on these five elements:

• Colonial grille windows paired with Farmhouse hallmarks

• Barn doors

• Mahogany finishes

• Entry door details: double, glass and sidelites

• Wood windows and transoms

Colonial Grilles Complement Farmhouse DetailsGr i l l e s add charac ter to w indows. A t rad i t iona l

Co lonia l gr i l l e has three co lumns and at leas t four

rows. What makes i t Co lonia l i s that each square

c reated by the hor izonta l and ver t i ca l l ines i s equa l .

A ha l f Co lonia l gr i l l e would only have the gr i l l e at the

top of the w indow.

On the ex ter io r, many farmhouses complement these

gr i l l ed w indows wi th shut ter s . Shut ter s may have a

rus t i c look wi th a dark wood f in i sh and var iat ions on

cross ra i l s o r c ros s bar s . These t ypes of shut ter s rea l l y

pop on pa inted br i ck , another Farmhouse ha l lmark.

On the interior, a beautiful shiplap wall is the perfect place

for a Colonial grille window. Shiplap isn’t new; it’s actually

quite old. But it has become very popular in modern

farmhouses. Shiplap is wooden boards often with a rabbet,

or groove, cut into the top and bottom. This allows for a

tight fit and is what gives shiplap its unique appearance.

Shiplap, once used in building sheds or barns, is now a

sought-after interior finish. These stacked strips of white

wood can be found in living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms

and most any room in the house. The shiplap may cover the

entire room or just a feature wall. A feature wall of shiplap

with a Colonial grille window is a brilliant way to express

the Farmhouse aesthetic.

Another s tandard of a Farmhouse k i tchen i s the

Farmhouse s ink. The Farmhouse s ink f i r s t came to

be in a t ime when there was no running water.

I t s deep des ign a l lows i t to ho ld subs tant ia l

amount s of water brought in f rom wel l s or other

natura l water sources . The depth of the s ink i s

s t i l l a par t of the modern Farmhouse s ink. I t s i t s

much deeper than a t yp ica l undermount s ink.

Cab inet s and counter tops don’t cover the bas in;

i t ’s exposed. The s ink jut s out s l ight l y more than

i t s sur round cab inet s . Th is genes i s of th i s

ins ta l la t ion was to reduce water over f low f rom

damaging cab inet s . Farmhouse s ink s can be

made f rom f i rec lay, porce la in, s ta in les s s tee l

and copper.

So, what ’s the per fec t complement to a

Farmhouse s ink? A Co lonia l gr i l l e double -hung

window of cour se. With the modern convenience

of d i shwasher s , you don’t s tand at the s ink

as much as your ances tor s d id. There i s s t i l l

something serene and beaut i fu l about a v iew

f rom the k i tchen s ink.

Barn doors have made their way from

the barn to s tatement p ieces in many

homes . Barn door s of fer both s t y le

and func t ion. For s t y le, you can go

tradit ional with a knot t y p ine or other

wood, featur ing a “Z-Bar.” You can a lso

t r y something a l i t t le more modern but

s t i l l Farmhouse approved with white

weathered door s . G las s inset s in a

Colonia l pat tern are another s t y le to

consider. This prov ides pr ivacy whi le

door to s l ide out f rom the door way.

Because they are so ver sat i l e, they are

a smar t a l te rnat i ve to pocket door s ,

which requi re interna l wal l space.

Double barn door s make i t easy to

d iv ide b igger spaces . They work wel l

fo r a d i v i s ion bet ween a d in ing or

l i v ing room. Barn door s can eas i l y f i t

any space and prov ide the look and

func t ion you des i re.

a lso giv ing you a s ight l ine into the other

room and al lowing l ight to f low through.

You can use s ingle or double barn doors

to create the look you des ire. A s ingle

barn door is a wonder ful way to add a

door to a bathroom in a t ight spot. Use

one as a pantr y door, which w i l l pa i r

wonder fu l l y w i th that Farmhouse s ink.

The only space requi rement for a barn

door is hav ing enough wal l area for the

Barn Doors Deliver Style and Function

A mahogany finish replicates the mahogany tree. It is straight-

grained with reddish-brown coloring. The mahogany finish is

seen throughout farmhouses. It could be used on the hardwood

flooring or in wood furniture like a table or cabinet. You’ll also

love the look of mahogany on interior doors.

To have a mahogany finish, you don’t need to use the real thing,

which is often cost prohibitive. Choose a prefinished interior

door that uses a finishing process that looks real and rich. When

comparing finishing processes, research the technique to ensure

it is durable and represents the most authentic grain patterns.

The Farmhouse Finish: Mahogany

Mahogany is also a great stain for an exterior door. Again,

you don’t have to use real wood. Try a fiberglass door that

effortlessly replicates the grain and color of mahogany.

Real wood doors are stunning, but fiberglass gives you

additional options.

Try mahogany staining on wood windows as well.

Mahogany staining on the interior trim and moulding of

your wood windows will be a great complement to any

other mahogany coloring you have in the room.

To capture the Farmhouse look, start

with the front door. It’s how you

welcome your guests in and sets

the tone for the style of your home.

There are several front door options

for farmhouses. The Dutch door is

a favorite with its two independent

sections and is quintessential

Farmhouse. Weathered white, pops

of blue and rustic touches keep Dutch

doors a Farmhouse staple.

The Farmhouse Entrance

Beyond the Dutch door, there are other

opt ions . Many Farmhouse ent r y door s

are double door s . These may be fu l l

l i te, w i th g las s f rom top to bot tom, or

have smal l inset s of g las s . I f g las s i s at

the top, ra i sed pane l ing can accent the

bot tom. An arched top for double door s

i s another deta i l that adds charac ter and

depth. Double ent r y door s can fo l low

a few d i f ferent co lor ings: mahogany

f in i shes , l ight wood or pa inted.

A surpr i s ing co lor l ike red or ye l low i s

bo ld yet because of the s t y le not brash.

I f us ing a wood f in i sh, match i t to the

co lor of your shut ter s .

S ide l i tes on both s ides of an ent r y door

are a l so seen on farmhouses . A t yp ica l

des ign may inc lude a Co lonia l gr i l l e

pat tern on the center door, which i s

mimicked on the s ide l i tes . Transoms are

common above the door and i t s s ide l i tes

to c reate a s t r ik ing and exquis i te ent r y

to your home.

Farmhouse Wood Windows: Real Beauty, Real DurabilityHundreds of year s ago in farmhouses bui l t by hand, they

a l l had wood windows. Wood was , of cour se, p lent i fu l and

a natura l opt ion for w indows. Whi le v iny l has become the

lead ing mater ia l for w indows, wood i sn’ t forgot ten. And i t

shouldn’ t be in any new or renovated farmhouse.

Can wood s tand up to the e lement s? Th is i s of ten a concern

of any homeowner. Wood w indows a re an inves tment , one

that anyone needs to know w i l l l a s t . The w indow indus t r y

has become great innovato r s on t ak ing the bes t a t t r ibu te s

of wood and mak ing them bet te r. Wood, t yp i ca l l y p ine, can

be t reated to make i t more durab le. The t reatment p roces s

can a l l ow wood to re s i s t ro t and mo is tu re i s sues wh i l e a l so

repe l l ing te rmi te s . Jus t be ca re fu l ; not a l l wood t reatment s

are the same. Research how the wood i s t reated, and choose

one t reated to the core. You should a l so check the war rant y

of these produc t s .

Once you know you have a mater ia l you can t rus t , c reate

cus tomized Farmhouse w indows. Or ig ina l l y, Farmhouse

w indows were nar row. Depending on the space you have,

you may e lec t to ins ta l l four nar row windows ver sus three

w ide ones . Add t ransoms above for even more l ight .

These ta l l w indows immediate l y s igna l Farmhouse s t y le.

A lso, cons ider nar row casement w indows in a set . Casement

w indows can swing out , which prov ides a i r f low and a

charming aes thet ic . Imagine casement w indows above your

Farmhouse s ink!

With a t reated wood window, you wi l l en joy the beaut y of

rea l wood and the qua l i t y and durab i l i t y you expec t .

Still Humble and Timeless

Farmhouse style has expanded from its humble roots.

But hasn’t strayed far. The original aspects of farmhouses are

timeless, that’s why they are still loved. From barn doors to

narrow windows, Farmhouse style reflects both the rural and

modern life. Whimsical details and rustic accents abound in

Farmhouse style and give you a world of possibilities.

Windows and doors are unique elements in a home, as they are

seen from the interior and exterior. The details and opportunities

on both sides can help you create your farmhouse.

This eBook was created by your fr iends at JELD -WEN as a guide to help homeowners, bui lders , contrac tors , architec t s and other profess ionals incorporate Farrmhouse s t y le into

homes. I f you’d l ike to learn more about us, v is i t us at je ld -wen.com. You can also fo l low us on socia l media for des ign t ips, produc t informat ion and much more!

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