Done with Drapes: 4 Ways to Do Away with Window Treatments

It’s a common misconception that a window always needs treatments to look beautiful. By treatments, we mean drapes, curtains, shades, and any other accessory. The truth is, there are many ways to get units that are lovely enough on their own. Consider these tips from your experts in window replacement in Salem, OR.

1. Colored Framing

Color us surprised! Darker sashes are all the rage these days. Set against light-colored walls, they create enough contrast and interest. Adding anything else would be too much and would take away from the minimalistic aesthetics.

Tip: Renewal by Andersen® offers replacement units that come in a plethora of stylish colors, even deeper shades you’d be hard-pressed to find from other window companies. For interiors, we recommend Sandtone, Terratone®, as well as natural finishes like Pine, Oak, and Maple.

2. Unique Shape

Frame your views in an interesting manner! Picking out a unique shape lets you get away with using no treatments at all. Double-hung units look best tall and narrow, while non-operable picture windows are stunning in over-sized circles and polygons.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with geometry! Renewal by Andersen’s specialty windows can be custom-built into thirteen different shapes. Among our favorites are the Peak Pentagon that would great in the living room, and the Circle Top™ style that you can install treatment-less over entry doors.

3. Glass Pattern

Decorative glass creates eye-catching design accents without going overboard with the embellishment. Textured and frosted glass gives you privacy without compromising natural lighting. Tinted glass helps keep the glare from the sun away from your interiors.

Tip: Renewal by Andersen carries different glass packages, all of which are beautiful and functional. Their High-Performance™ line of Low-E4® glass options features energy-efficient coatings that block off harmful rays and fend off excessive heat. They come in four impressive patterns: Obscure, Reed, Cascade, and Fern.

4. Grille Option

Adding personality to your windows is easy. If your units have a wide glass, consider using grilles (or grids) to divide the area into smaller sections. The resulting “divided light” look is a classic stunner. It prevents overexposure to the sun without the need for blinds or drapery.

Tip: Match the grille pattern with the style of your home. For example, Prairie houses often feature rows of casement windows. These units look great with aptly named Prairie-style grids. In this pattern, two vertical and two horizontal bars meet a few inches above the corners of the glass area. The center is unembellished. It’s interesting, but still simple – perfect for the humble Prairie home.

You don’t have to cover up your windows to make them look beautiful. Renewal by Andersen of Portland lets you customize your windows down to the very last detail. From our superior roster of Portland, OR, replacement windows comes a wide array of frame colors, glass styles, grid patterns, and unique shapes to show off your taste.

Go ahead and give us a call at for more information. Let our specialists teach you how to pick windows that shine on their own!