Window Replacement Project Featuring Expansive Picture and Arch Windows

This Chesterfield replacement project focused less on changing the structure of the home and more on changing how the home felt from the inside. The homeowners wanted larger, cleaner views of their wooded backyard while also updating the appearance of the interior trim and improving overall energy performance. 

Many of the original windows used drywall returns with minimal detailing. During the replacement, the project transitioned to full interior trim, creating more definition around each opening and giving the rooms a more finished architectural appearance. The difference is especially noticeable in the kitchen and great room, where the new trim package visually frames the landscape outside rather than blending into the wall surface. 

The Pella team recommended wood windows and patio doors throughout the home, including double-hung windows, casement windows, picture windows and hinged patio doors. Most units were specified with Sound Transmission Glass (STC) to help reduce exterior noise while maintaining natural light throughout the home.

One of the most dramatic updates in the home came from replacing segmented window combinations with large picture windows. In the kitchen, a new oversized picture window replaced a divided opening, immediately opening the sightline to the backyard and bringing in noticeably more daylight. The surrounding double-hung windows helped maintain ventilation while the large center glass prioritized uninterrupted views. 

The great room presented a different challenge. The existing wall included multiple tall openings and custom arch-top windows positioned above the fireplace. The replacement design preserved the original proportions of the architecture while simplifying the visual clutter with grille-free glass and consistent white interior finishes. 

The upper window assembly included custom arched windows with partial arch units on each side and a large center arch-top picture window. The result kept the scale of the original architecture while creating a cleaner and more contemporary appearance from both inside and outside the home. 

Because of the size and placement of these windows, installation required heavy lift equipment to safely position the glass units. That approach allowed the installation team to maneuver oversized windows into elevated openings more efficiently while reducing disruption to the surrounding finishes.

The replacement windows throughout the home were specified with Low-E SunDefense™ insulating glass with argon gas fills. This type of glazing helps reduce solar heat gain while still allowing natural light into the home, which was particularly important for the large expanses of glass used in the great room and kitchen. 

Several of the picture windows also included dual-tempered glass due to their size and placement. Tempered glass is often required in larger openings and areas closer to the floor because it is designed to break into smaller, less sharp pieces if damaged. 

The homeowners also chose grille-free glass across the project. Removing grille patterns allowed the wooded backyard to become more visually prominent and contributed to the updated aesthetic they wanted throughout the home.

The project also included multiple hinged patio doors. The doors featured matte black hardware, multipoint locking systems and Low-E insulating glass designed to coordinate with the rest of the replacement package. Multipoint locks help create a tighter seal along the frame, which can improve both operation and energy performance over time. 

Several patio doors also included between-the-glass blinds, allowing the homeowners to maintain privacy and light control without adding additional window coverings in high-use spaces.

This project used a full-frame wood window replacement approach rather than inserting new units into the existing frames. The process included complete removal of the original sash and frames, new jamb extensions, new interior trim and exterior coil wrapping where needed. 

That decision mattered for this home because it allowed the new windows to completely redefine the finished opening instead of simply replacing the glass portion of the unit. The new trim package became a major part of the visual transformation, particularly around the oversized picture windows and custom arch-top units.