N. WINDOWS
FCHOA Purchaser's Handbook - Revision Date: 2021-01-10
1. Applications not integral to the window detract from the integrity of good design and are thus not recommended. Respect the true tradition of the architectural styles of the windows used. Limit the architectural style of windows to one type when possible. Avoid, for example, combining contemporary sliding glass doors with Colonial windows. Sliding glass doors are permitted, providing that the door panels resemble French style doors with glazing muntins. Stiles shall be minimum 5" nominal width or shall be specifically approved by the ARC for manufacturer and model to be installed. The use of a half-round or an elliptical window should be a special feature and be usually limited to one aspect of the home, such as the front entry or a prominent gable. Window features should not compete with each other. Use of ornate windows should conform to the architectural style. Trendy or “flashy” combinations of multiple windows and artificial applications to windows detract from the integrity of good design and therefore are not normally permitted.
2. All curtains, draperies, window shades, window blinds, and window hangings shall present a neutral palette when viewed from the outside of the building.
3. Window openings and heights should relate to other design features of the house. Avoid the unplanned look of smaller bathroom transoms or kitchen windows in visual conflict with windows of major scale. A transom style window, on a flat wall without a window or false shutter (limited to a house with shutters) below it, to bring in light above a shower, closet, or stairway, for example, is not permitted. Window openings are normally held high at a minimum of approximately 7 feet 8 inches above the floor. Window head heights shall be noted on all four architectural elevations. Consider the grade of the garage floor and the garage ceiling height in planning the garage window placements. Normally, garage window height should be in line with the adjacent windows on the house.
4. Shutters are normally used on board siding for single windows. Brick homes may consider the use of large brick window molding and not use shutters. If exterior shutters are used, they should be of proper size and scale for the windows. For example, half shutters on twin double hung windows are not appropriate. Shutters on twin double hung windows are not recommended, but the use of full sized, hinged double shutters will be considered.
5. Wood/vinyl clad double hung windows, fixed panels, and French doors are appropriate to the styles of architecture approved in Ford’s Colony. Muntins (grills) are required on all windows and glass doors and should have a minimum width of 3/4-inch. Casement windows are not appropriate to the accepted styles and are only permitted in very limited use. Casement windows may be approved on single story sun porches and for small windows above a kitchen sink or bathroom tub. Vinyl/metal clad windows may be used, but an applied trim may have to be added to make the window appear more like a traditional wood window. Vinyl/metal clad windows must include 2 - 1/4-inch-wide brick molding or other approved traditional trim as part of the window trim or other trim as required by the ARC.
6. Where exposed to exterior view, window sash and muntins shall be painted white or off-white. It is highly recommended that the window trim also be painted the corresponding white or off-white. It is the intent to feature the double hung and true divided light aspects of traditional architecture. Blending the window features to a color other than white is not appropriate, unless a true or simulated divided light window with muntins on the exterior of the glass is used, as approved by the ARC.
7. Glass block is not appropriate on the exterior. Frosted (obscure) glass and faceted glass windows may be permitted in limited use.
8. Windows should be used to break up a large mass of brick or board siding, including on the side and rear elevations. Normally the ARC will require window openings within a 14’ span. In some cases, windows may be simulated on the exterior without disrupting interior wall space, by using shutters (closed) with full window framing details exposed to the exterior. Large scale landscaping may be considered in lieu of simulated shuttered windows on first floor or basement exposures.
9. Simplicity and balance should guide window design and location.
10. Box and Bay window projections are permitted, but must be designed to be well proportioned and appropriate for the style of architecture. Projections at the window sill height for small windows shall be supported by wood brackets. If the floor joist level projects out into the bay/box, the base shall be supported down to grade in brick unless covered by a porch or deck with lattice screening below. A projection at the second-floor level may be required to finish down to grade.
Window Relationship to Cornice: Window trim between the top of the window and frieze board should not exceed 8”.
11. Octagonal room projections are unique features found in Early Classical Revival (Jeffersonian) architecture. These elements were relatively uncommon in historic examples and therefore should be limited and used with discretion in Ford’s Colony. The octagonal room projections should not be confused with turrets and decorative octagonal shapes popularized in much later Gothic Revival and Victorian styles of architecture. When used, it is important to conform to classical proportions and detailing:
Size: The octagonal projections shall be one story, between 12 feet and 16 feet in width. Smaller projections should be designed as angled bay windows, larger projections as gables or other traditionally shaped wings.
Window Openings: The window width shall be 2’-8” to 3’-0”, and shall fill one-half of the wall width. The overall window height (including half-round window) shall be at least 6’-0”. Windows shall be trimmed in brick or other approved trim detail.
Window Relationship to Cornice: Window trim between the top of the window and frieze board should not exceed 8”.
Roof Height: Bearing of rafters above octagonal rooms shall be designed so the finished cornice is no greater than 18” above the main cornice on the first floor. Alignment with the first-floor cornice is preferred.
12. Normally, first floor windows shall have minimum window sash dimensions of 2’-8” by 5’-6”. Window height and proportion is a very important architectural aspect. A typical dormer window or second story window is 2’8” by 5’2”, however, smaller windows may be appropriate is some applications.
13. Skylights and solatubes are not permitted on front elevations. Skylights and tubular daylighting devices (such as Solatubes) are not encouraged where dormer windows or other more traditionally appropriate design elements are architecturally feasible. If permitted, skylights/solatubes will be limited in size, number, shape, and location on the roofs. Usually, vertical stacking of skylights/solatubes on a roof will not be permitted. Skylights shall not exceed 2’ x 4’ in size and must be flat to the roof. Bubble shapes are not permitted. Skylights on a roof pitch of less than 4/12 may require a commercial grade specification and installation to remain flat to the roof pitch. The number of skylights on the same roof is normally limited to two or a spacing of six feet apart.
14. Large dormer windows and twin windows are not normally permitted on the front elevation. Dormer windows are normally 2’8” x 5’2”. See the Dormer Detail Exhibit. Architectural elements, designed to bring light in above a front entry for example, need to respect the traditional architecture of the design period.
15. Retractable awnings will normally be approved over areas to the rear of the home such as a patio or in a recessed area. Placing an awning over double hung windows, bay projections or front stoops is not appropriate for the exterior of the home. The ARC suggests installing low-E windows or internal shutters or blinds to reduce sun exposure. When the awnings are not in use they must be retracted.