Decorating windows outside the house: elements, materials and 14 design options

A modern trend in architecture has become the decoration of windows of brick houses with facade decor. Today it is most often made from polystyrene foam. The Russian market offers a huge selection of such decorative elements. (photos of completed work can be viewed in our portfolio)

Used to frame doors, arches, corners, slopes, window openings, columns and walls, they are able to revive the former luster of ancient buildings and make the new building brighter, more beautiful and memorable. A house decorated with such stucco looks very impressive and rich.

Thanks to the large selection of different products on the market, you can always choose a decor that matches the required architectural style, and the compatibility of various elements with each other makes it possible to create a truly unique window framing option.

Frame No. 1 Example of house facades

Frame No. 2 Example of house facades

Frame No. 3 Example of house facades

Frame No. 4 Example of house facades

Frame No. 5 Example of house facades

Frame No. 6 Example of house facades

Frame No. 7 Example of house facades

Frame No. 8 Example of house facades

Window decoration on the facade of the house

Even though glass was invented several thousand years ago, glass windows only appeared in the Middle Ages. Before this, the walls of houses were built without window openings, but with large doors to the courtyard so that light could penetrate into the home. The first glass was used in Rome at the beginning of the Middle Ages. Of course, they had little resemblance to modern ones.

Around this time, people came to frame holes on the walls of buildings. First of all, this was necessary to strengthen the house itself and protect the glass from physical influences. For this purpose, the window opening was marked with a peculiar letter P. This was a kind of progenitor of the modern platband. Time has changed, new solutions, ideas, approaches have appeared... The Renaissance made a significant contribution to modern decorations on houses: the applied function of protecting windows from the outside has faded into the background. The facades are dominated by complex architectural solutions. The appearance of the windows themselves and all the elements that relate to them turn into full-fledged works of art!

Over time, this has become more and more modernized and continues to this day. Decorations on the facade in the 21st century are a separate architectural trend. Both raw materials for manufacturing and visual forms have appeared over the centuries!

Types of openings

The passages between rooms are traditionally framed with a door structure: a frame with a leaf. She has several tasks:

• separates one space from another;
• performs the function of noise and heat insulation.

Varieties of open transitions between zones are popular. They are used to decorate the entrance to the living room, dining room, hall, loggia.

Interior openings initially have the shape of a rectangle. If desired, it can be changed to a more interesting one, in harmony with the design idea:

• Square;
• Oval;
• Asymmetric;
• Trapezoidal;
• Arched.

Stucco processing is suitable for all types of spans. With its help it is easy to add aristocracy and sophistication to the decoration. Remember the monumental buildings of Ancient Rome and Greece, where stucco molding above the door crowned the entrances to the halls. In those days, sandrik, a decoration located above the opening, performed a protective function, protecting it from rain getting inside. Now its use is for decorative purposes.

Designers recommend using arched structures in narrow and long rooms to visually add volume. The corridors of small apartments can be “expanded” with an arch leading to other rooms. A wide passage with a vault will add intimacy to the spacious apartments of a private house.

Columns, caryatids, and atlases are used to decorate arches in a luxurious, majestic interior. If the space is decorated in the spirit of classicism or minimalism, more restrained solutions are suitable.

Entrance lobbies in private houses are also framed with plaster models. The front entrance decorated in this way looks solemn and reminiscent of merchant houses of the late 19th - early 20th centuries. To implement the idea, the following types of facade profiles are used:

• Column - a cylindrical pillar;
• Pilaster is a vertical projection that imitates a column;
• Arch - a ceiling that has two supports and a vaulted structure;
• Molding—an overhead convex panel;
• Cornice - protrusion;
• Bas-reliefs are three-dimensional images of various images: animals, birds, plants, battle scenes.

Materials for finishing windows outside

When choosing a material for façade window decoration, it is important to consider many factors: from the external appearance of the building (the decorative frame must fit into the overall exterior), to the quality of the materials, their density and weather conditions (not all of them withstand constant rain or snow well). First and foremost, the exterior decoration is decorative, but over time you don’t want it to fade, fall off, or become overgrown with mold.

We've taken a broad sampling of what's used for these purposes today, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Wooden decor

Most often, facade finishing with wood can be found directly on wooden houses. For this, durable oak or beech wood is used, and the products themselves are covered with patterned carvings. Although today it is almost archaic.

Advantages of wooden finishing on the facade:

• Attractiveness. Wood can have finer carvings compared to other materials. In addition, the natural texture of the wood is added;
• Environmental friendliness;
• Heat retention and sound insulation;
• Cold resistance;
• Easy to repair. You can even do it yourself.

But there is also a downside: the tree requires high-quality care and favorable weather. Otherwise it may swell and become damp. In addition, unlike other raw materials, mold, mildew, or even insects may appear on wood. Modern technologies make it possible to use special wood-protective impregnation and coating, but this does not save overall, but only slightly extends the service life of such a frame.

Plaster decor

A proven material for exterior solutions, which was used centuries ago, has not lost its relevance. In a way it's a classic.

Gypsum is quite malleable: it can be used to make almost any custom shape. It is easy to process, easy to cast, and the decorative elements made of gypsum themselves are lightweight, which simplifies their placement on the facade. However, such lightness also has a negative side: the material is not friendly to wet weather, easily absorbs water and can become damp.

This is an absolute classic, but not the most advantageous solution for placing it on a house in the weather that prevails in our latitudes. Either you will have to constantly dismantle the damp decor and install a new one, or leave the plaster decoration only for the interior and choose more moisture-resistant raw materials.

Decorative finishing made of polystyrene foam and polyurethane

Expanded polystyrene, also known as polystyrene, is a modern polymer product similar to polystyrene foam. One of its main advantages is its accessibility. Making an external foam frame does not require a lot of time.

Another advantage of the material is its lightness. It is enough to coat the product with a special adhesive composition and it can be attached to the facade. Without self-tapping screws, screws or special fasteners. Polyurethane, which is similar in consistency, has the same properties. It is just as lightweight, easy to install and, unlike stone decor, allows for noticeable detailing.

Unfortunately, foam and polyurethane are even more picky about weather conditions than plaster. Strong humidity and exposure to ultraviolet rays negatively affect the products and, ultimately, the decor becomes covered with mold, mildew and begins to crumble.

At the same time, polystyrene foam has a low cost. Again: at this price, it is quite legitimate from time to time to completely dismantle the decor placed on the facade and buy a new one. If you don’t want such a hassle and don’t live in a favorable climate, you should choose something more durable.

Artificial stone frame

When comparing materials in detail, artificial stone turns out to be the most competitive. It has all the characteristics of durability, monolithic and attractive in appearance.

This material is a composite product, middle-class polymer concrete, which is based on sand of various fractions and a resin of synthetic origin that binds it. Even at the production stage, various coloring components are added to it, which make it possible to create the desired shade, color, or even an imitation of a specific breed. Even to the touch, archstone is indistinguishable from natural!

Advantages of the material:

• Compared to natural, artificial has less weight;
• It is also easy to install, as is the case with plaster or foam;
• Unlike the above, this material is more durable and is not afraid of moisture. For production, special anti-frost additives are used, which allow polymer concrete to withstand all temperature records;
• Ease of processing. Unlike products made from natural stone, products made from architectural stone do not require fine work and are more affordable at the manufacturing stage;
• Price. While externally identical to natural stone, the price of polymer concrete is significantly lower.

Artificial stone is the absolute favorite of most buyers, thanks to the ideal balance between price, quality and durability. That's why they choose him.

Decoration of window and door openings with stucco

Chic, shine, beauty - these words from the famous Soviet film come to mind when you find yourself in a room decorated with stucco. We are used to seeing plaster decor on the ceiling or walls. What about this option - stucco around windows and doors?
This design solution will transform your home or office, making it more luxurious and respectable. Window and door bays occupy a considerable volume of the room. They try to make the frame invisible so as not to “eat up” the space. The slopes are sheathed with flat wooden or plastic panels to match the color of the window frames or wall decoration. This technique is suitable for owners of small apartments. But if the dimensions allow or there is a desire to make the interior more interesting and “richer,” add windows and doors with stucco molding to it. Where such a solution would be appropriate, and how to apply it correctly, you will learn further.

Buy decor for exterior window decoration

The choice of suitable decoration from all the existing variety is primarily based on the appearance of the house itself, its style and exterior solutions. There are no right or wrong options here: any combinations and selected sets are just a matter of taste.

The question of choosing material for façade framing is much more clear. Among all the stones used today, the leading position in terms of price/quality ratio is occupied by artificial stone. It is durable, weather resistant, relatively easy to attach, highly detailed, and affordable.

On the catalog page you can see the full range of window decoration options available for ordering. If you have any questions or would like to place an order for facade stucco molding, contact us in any way convenient for you or request a call back in a special form on the website.

Decorating aisles

When finishing openings, it is important to observe moderation and avoid overload. And also do not forget that the dimensions of the parts must be proportional to the volume of the room. A large number of large figures will make a small room heavier.

A single ensemble is formed by arranging several elements. This makes it possible to create a unique design. Individual details are selected to fit the overall image of the project. Fragments can overlap with other interior accessories - repeat patterns on wallpaper, textiles, furniture, the outlines of vases, figurines.

Specialized stores offer various options for ready-made decor:

• Sandriki;
• Cornices;
• Moldings;
• Columns;
• Cuts;
• Friezes.

It is difficult to navigate among such diversity. If you don’t trust your taste and sense of proportion, leave the task to professionals. There are two options: hire a designer or use the services of specialists from the store where you are going to purchase the products. Their advice will help you make a choice.

Decoration of door panels

An entrance or interior door is an important aspect of home security and the comfort of residents, as well as a decorative attribute of the interior content. Various textures, colors, and styles are used in the design. Canvas with stucco decoration looks elegant and expensive. A wooden or metal profile is taken as a basis, and decorative details are applied to it. They are not left unprocessed, but disguised as a base material. In this way, the effect of wood carving or forging is achieved.

Depending on the design of the room, the molded parts look like:

• Geometric shapes in a minimalist and classic design;
• Ornate patterns and artistic compositions in the Empire and Baroque styles.

How to choose decor and not make a mistake

Window framing plays a key role in the design of a home and attracts most of the attention. It gives the facade a complete look, but one incorrectly selected detail will catch your eye and ruin the whole impression. Window decor is usually selected simultaneously with the rest of the façade decor. Without a design project with its 3D visualizations and façade layouts, this is quite difficult to do.

A situation is possible in which a significant amount is invested in the exterior, but the result turns out to be far from the desired one. To eliminate errors, the external design is chosen taking into account the following tips:

• Take into account the style of the house. To understand which products will look organic on the facade, it is useful to find similar options on the Internet. You can also take a photo of the house and draw several framing options. This can be done by hand (in pencil on a printout) or in an application.
• When choosing details, remember harmony. The impression largely depends on the distribution and balance of the elements used. For example, you should not leave the facade empty with fully decorated window openings.

Decor for every taste

• A house is usually viewed from afar, so when choosing, you should avoid small details. They look large in your hands, but most likely they will get lost against the background of the wall.
• Modern options for façade finishing are varied in materials of manufacture. Plastic varieties are easy to install on your own; stone decoration will require the involvement of specialists.
• If you plan to decorate windows with heavy material, it would be useful to calculate the weight of such decor. Sometimes the additional load causes the wall to deform.

Without professional knowledge, it is difficult to balance the sizes of individual parts. When looking at the facade, such an imbalance is felt as a defect that is difficult to explain in words. The architect has a variety of techniques at his disposal (for example, the use of the golden ratio). They help you choose the perfect design, as well as disguise imperfections.

If you choose the design yourself, try to abandon some of the details that you initially outlined and take a closer look at the result. In the matter of decorative saturation of the facade, the principle “less is better” works like nowhere else.

Variety of decorative styles

Design

Front windows.
Windows for a private home Types of design of window casings are shown in the photo. Overhead trims (item 1) are attached to the wall; plug-in or box-shaped (item 2) - to the slopes of the window opening (this is better) or in the window frame (worse). Overhead trims are placed on windows flush with the wall; insert - on windows in niches.

Window frame designs

Based on the capabilities of insulation and protection of the window insulation, the platbands are divided into a frame (item 3) and a portal, item. 5. The portal frame is often complemented by a visor. The frame frame practically does not protect the window insulation/seal from getting wet and is placed on windows from the inside or on windows facing under a canopy, for example, onto a veranda.

General information

The construction industry is developing very rapidly, and the market for construction and finishing materials is regularly replenished with new high-tech materials, which allow expanding the field of activity of designers and architects.

New and modern finishing materials make it possible to make the framing of your home's windows stylish, original, attractive and durable. For decorative window framing, materials such as brick, natural stone, gypsum, polyurethane panels, wood and other materials can be successfully used. Most often you can see the framing of openings on the facade with brick and wood.

The choice of material directly depends on the goals that the home owner achieves. In addition, it should be remembered that framing with brick, wood, polyurethane slabs and other materials allows you to create an original style of window framing.

Features of application

Despite the prevailing opinion that plastic products are intended only for plastic windows, today they are successfully used in the installation of wooden and aluminum window structures.

For wooden windows, products are produced that quite accurately imitate the structure of various types of wood, and for windows made of aluminum profiles, the linings are additionally painted or laminated in various shades of metallic color. In addition, today various overlay elements with a relief, patterned surface are produced, somewhat reminiscent of the carved decorations of village huts.

Plastic platbands are an ideal solution for façade cladding of a house with siding. Here you can select decorative elements that match the main color scheme or contrast with the color of the siding.

However, the very concept of “plastic platband” is by no means ambiguous. This term refers to various groups of products made from polymer materials, differing in the type of plastic, manufacturing technology and installation method.

Curtain design options for low windows

When it is low, you need to visually add height to it. Required to divert attention from the large distance between the ceiling and the opening. To raise it, it is recommended to follow a number of rules.

1. Install the curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible. Curtains will cover the lack of proportionality.
2. Use curtains with eyelets. Attaching them will help to form folds on top that visually lift the opening.
3. Make a ceiling cornice. It will cover a huge empty space.

If after this the space remains visible, use lambrequins to hide this area.

See alsoHow to create an original aquarium design?

Recommendations for choosing curtains and curtains

1. To create coziness, use pastel shades, beige or peach. Especially if the room is on the north side. If you want to add coolness to the space, gray, blue and others are suitable.
2. If the windows are on the sunny side, hang models that have reflective impregnation.
3. Choose products for the summer period from chintz, satin or veneer. For the winter version, they are sewn from velvet, tapestry, velor, etc.

Window decoration

Beautiful window decor

Types of bricks

For the arrangement of windows, the same types of bricks are used as for cladding the walls.

The most common varieties:

1. Hyper pressed rounded. It is made from dolomite, limestone, marble, stone chips and waste from crushed stone production. The mixture of initial components is moistened and pressed under ultra-high pressure, after which the particles combine and form a solid and durable material. In terms of performance characteristics, it is close to natural stone. Price – 20-30 rub.
2. Shaped single hollow. Ceramic brick, a characteristic feature of which is the presence of one rounded cut. This makes it an excellent option for window coverings. Products differ in the shape of the voids: they can be round, square, closed on one side. Price – 28-25 rubles.
3. Clinker relief. It differs from ceramic products in a more complex production process and a relatively high price, but it also surpasses them in performance characteristics. It is made from a special type of clay fired at a temperature of 1200 degrees. Facing options have a relief surface. Price – 30-40 rubles.
4. Glazed. It is characterized by a wide variety of decorative solutions, since the glazed surface can imitate wood, stone and even leather. It also increases the resistance of the material to moisture and wind. But due to the complex production technology, such products are among the most expensive, their price is in the range of 200-400 rubles per piece.
5. Sand-lime brick. The cheapest option, made from lime with the addition of sand and other materials. The price of the product is 10-20 rubles, but sand-lime brick has significant disadvantages: low strength, a small variety of decorative solutions.