Decorative Window Bars and Grilles
The windows in our homes are designed to allow natural light to shine in, and help ventilate our interiors. But what options do we have when it comes to decorating them? Believe it or not, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from. So, today, we’re going to take a look at some of the different types of decorative window bars and grilles, and the designs you’ll find on the market.
The art of designing and creating decorative window bars has a rich and interesting history. From stately palaces to cathedrals, master craftsmen have dedicated their lives to this particular branch of the applied arts. They’re a fantastic way to decorate the exteriors of our homes, without losing any of their functionality.
Today, modern lifestyles, city life, and new architectural designs tend to focus more on the structure of a building, rather than its aesthetics. As a result, grilles are rarely used, with designers typically opting for shutters instead. Therefore, it’s important to take a look at the different options on the market, so you can get an idea of what’s out there.
Modern window bars
As we mentioned earlier, window grilles come in a wide range of different varieties. Blacksmiths play an important role in the development of these grilles, creating designs that range from the practical to the complex and the truly ornate.
City and urban housing blocks tend to opt for the simplest designs, with a good range of basic, practical window bars widely available on the commercial market. You’ll generally find the most sophisticated designs in private houses, where homeowners don’t mind investing a little more in these decorative elements.
When it comes to the aesthetics of our homes, the inside is just as important as the outside.
3 types of window bars
When it comes to choosing the bars for your windows, it’s important to be aware of the different options on the market. Large commercial DIY stores will generally offer a set range of standard formats. However, some will also have a team of specialists who can study which window bars will best suit your home.
1. The most common option for contemporary constructions is the modern-style grille. Simple and practical, they don’t have much in the way of decoration or ornamentation and are arranged with standard horizontal or vertical bars. The material is generally smooth and plain and designed to fit the size of the existing window frame.
2. Another option is to choose models similar to modern-style window bars, but which feature some simple knotwork or other forms of ornamentation that give the grille a more decorative function. T hey’re not overly showy or ostentatious, but do have more of an aesthetic appeal.
3. In this third type, the great artistry and skill of the blacksmith become more apparent. They can work the iron into a wide array of geometric, floral, or abstract shapes, bringing great energy and vitality into their designs. They can also shape the bars into intricate curves and spirals.
Window bars – fixed or hinged
Once you’ve decided on the design, you should be aware that there are two possible formats: fixed or hinged. The option you choose will largely depend on how you want to use them.
Fixed grilles are firmly attached to the surface of walls or window frames, and are completely immobile. They’re a popular choice for first-floor apartments and chalets and are particularly useful for windows that aren’t used often, such as those in bathrooms, kitchens, or storage rooms.
Alternatively, you can also find hinged grilles, which allow you to open them whenever you want. They typically feature a secure lock, to ensure that they fulfill the same security function as fixed bars. If you want your room to feel brighter you can simply push them open.
Window grilles – aesthetics
Alongside the more common options listed above, you can also find several more interesting designs. If you want to break with the monotony of vertical and horizontal lines, why not go for a design where the bars are arranged diagonally?
Another option is to choose mesh-style window bars, featuring curved, intertwining lines that come together to form a sort of net design. With their intricate shapes, these are a beautiful and attractive option.
Finally, we should also mention some of the more complex designs. In these cases, the blacksmith has usually had more freedom to let their creative juices flow and produce a more sophisticated and artistic result.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Reyneri di Lagnasco, C. Amedeo:Decoración en hierro, De Vecchi, 2008.