How to choose windows for a Spanish-style home

Some common indicators of a Spanish-style house are light-colored stucco or adobe exteriors, large arched openings, and low-pitched red tile roofs. They’re traditionally known for smooth facades without a lot of intricate decoration. Instead, iron balconies, dark wood accents, and beautiful arched windows and doors are their ornamentation.   

If you associate this look with warmer climates, such as Florida, California, or New Mexico, it’s likely because the home style originated in these areas while they were under Spanish rule. However, nowadays you can find homes with Spanish influences practically anywhere in the country. 

It’s important to note that Spanish-style is an overarching term that encompasses a few variations of the home style. Don’t be thrown off if you hear it called Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival, or Mediterranean style. It’s a style with many names!   

Looking to create the most faithful interpretation? Find detailed window and door specifications for Spanish Colonial Revival style and Mission Revival style in our Home Style Library. 

Windows on Spanish-style homes typically add a nice touch of contrast against the light stucco. Casement windows are the most popular choice for Spanish-style homes, particularly French casement windows, which are two casement windows joined together with hinges on the outside and a push-out opening.

Double-hung windows are another popular choice for the home style, and single-hung windows, as a nearly identical variation, also work well — especially when you don’t need a movable top sash. Learn the difference between single-hung and double-hung windows.  

TIP: Find French casement windows available through our E-Series product line. 

Grilles 

For the French casement window, the grilles are often horizontal and divide the glass into rectangular panes. If choosing a double-hung option, square grilles on the upper sash would be a fitting choice.     

Colors 

The most faithful interpretations favor dark brown or other earthy tones, as the dark window frames and trim create a pleasing contrast with the light exterior walls and blend with the tile roofs. However, it is also common to see colors like turquoise, or olive green incorporated into Spanish-style architecture, so don’t hesitate to use a fun color to brighten up your facade.   

TIP: Our E-Series product line offers more than 50 colors standard, making it easy to customize windows to match your preferred color palette.     

Accent windows 

Accent windows are a great area to get creative and let personality shine with your Spanish-style design. Arched windows are quintessential accents for Spanish-style homes and casement and double-hung windows are both popular choices. However, almost any circular shape you can think of can also be an accent window for these homes, including ovals, half circles, and even quatrefoils — a shape resembling a four-leaf clover.    

TIP: Our specialty windows allow you to order unique shapes like these without having to place a custom order.  

If you’re tackling designing a modern Spanish-style home, the right windows will be essential to the overall look. Modern Spanish homes merge the warm traditional feel of the style with the bold and simple components of contemporary architecture. 

• Less is more: Grilles on contemporary Spanish homes are typically a square pattern and very thin. It is also quite common to forego the grilles and opt for a sleek, unobstructed look. 
• Go big: Window walls and floor-to-ceiling windows with their expansive glass add a modern edge to any home. Nod to tradition by adding an arch to your big windows. 
• Keep it simple: If you're struggling to decide on a color for your windows, go with black. Black windows are the favorite choice for most modern windows for good reason and fit great with contemporary Spanish style homes. 

TIP: Look to our 100 Series windows for excellent quality and affordability in your search for modern Spanish-style windows. 

Spanish-style doors are often stunning focal points of the homes with plenty of room for personalization. They are traditionally made of dark wood that matches the windows and contrasts with the light walls. 

Contemporary Spanish-style designs might favor more glass with frames following the classic color themes—warm dark colors as well as various contrasting shades of blue, green, and red. Archtops are seen across many Spanish-style doorways. Sometimes, additional glass is added in the form of transoms (windows above the door) or sidelights (windows next to the door) to increase natural light in the entryway and add another eye-catching element to the design.   

TIP: The 400 Series product line is a great option for architectural authenticity and preserving the Spanish-style aesthetic.

The most classic entry doors for Spanish-style homes are plank doors, which are crafted from vertical planks of wood nailed together. Plank doors for this home style typically have arches and heavy iron hinges and hardware. 

For auxiliary doors on the home, narrow French doors with rectangular grilles are often used, and patio doors can be embellished with half-circle transoms. In more contemporary Spanish-style models, you will likely see large gliding or hinged patio doors that create ideal indoor/outdoor living situations.  

TIP: Due to the climates they’re typically in, Spanish-style homes often feature outdoor living. Bring your dream courtyard to life with our Folding Outswing Door.