In a lot of Milwaukee kitchens, the window above the sink is the one you look through most. In a Bay View bungalow or an older Wauwatosa colonial, it is often an original double-hung that sticks, sits behind a tall faucet and stays shut from October to May. When it is time to replace it, a few choices make a big difference in how the kitchen works every day.
Why the sink window is different
Three things set this window apart from the rest of the house:
- The reach. You are leaning across about two feet of countertop and a sink basin to open it.
- The moisture. It takes steam from cooking, splashes from the faucet and, in a Milwaukee winter, plenty of condensation on cold mornings.
- The view. It frames the backyard, the alley or the house next door, and you see it every time you do the dishes.
Casement windows: the most common pick
Casement windows hinge on the side and open outward with a crank, so you can open the sash fully without lifting anything over the faucet. They also give you top-to-bottom ventilation. On a muggy July evening, a casement angled toward the breeze can help pull air through the kitchen.
The easy reach is the real advantage. The U.S. Access Board’s guide to operable parts says good controls work with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. Those standards apply to public buildings, but they make a handy test for a sink window at home.
Awning windows: fresh air in a spring shower
Awning windows hinge at the top and open from the bottom, so the sash sheds rain while it is open. That makes them a smart fit for Milwaukee’s rainy spring, when you still want to vent a hot kitchen. Renewal by Andersen awning windows use folding hardware, and an awning can also be stacked below a picture window for a taller wall of glass.
Sliding windows: wide openings in ranch homes
Many postwar ranch homes in Brookfield, Greenfield and Oak Creek have a wide, short window over the sink. A sliding window fits that shape well. Sliding a sash sideways across the counter is easier than lifting one, and the sashes lift out so you can clean the outside glass from inside.
What about double-hung?
A double-hung window still makes sense when the sink sits off to the side, the reach is short, or you want the kitchen to match the rest of an older home. Renewal by Andersen double-hung windows are designed for one-handed operation, which helps when you do need to reach.
Sizing and placement
- Mind the faucet. Most designers keep the bottom of the window a few inches above the backsplash, so a tall or pull-down faucet can move freely and the sash can open.
- Center it on the sink. If the sink is off-center on the wall, the window should still line up with the basin.
- Go wider with a combination. For a long sink wall, a center picture window flanked by two casements gives you a big view and airflow on both sides.
If you are working with a kitchen designer, they will likely plan around the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s planning guidelines, so share your window plans early.
Finish details that tie the kitchen together
The sink window sits right next to your faucet and cabinet pulls, so finishes matter. Renewal by Andersen’s Estate hardware comes in finishes like brushed chrome, satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and antique brass. Frames come in rich matte colors inside and out, or with a real wood interior you can stain or paint to match your cabinets. For a farmhouse look, you can add a farmhouse grille pattern, and grilles set between the panes keep the inside glass flat and easy to wipe.
Steam, splashes and cold glass
According to the EPA’s mold and moisture guidance, cooking and washing dishes both raise indoor humidity. The EPA recommends a range hood vented outdoors and indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent. On a cold morning, extra moisture shows up first on the glass above the sink.
Warmer glass helps. Wisconsin sits in ENERGY STAR’s Northern climate zone, which has the program’s strictest window criteria. Renewal by Andersen’s glass options include High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun glass with HeatLock technology, which reflects escaping heat back into the room. For more on fogged glass, read why there is condensation on your windows.
Daily splashes are hard on painted wood sills. Fibrex material never needs painting, so the frame next to your faucet keeps its finish without scraping or touch-ups.
Common questions
What type of window is best above a kitchen sink?
Casement and awning windows are the most popular because their cranks are easy to reach across a counter. Sliding windows are a good fit for wide, short openings.
How high should a window be above a kitchen sink?
Most designers leave a few inches between the top of the backsplash and the bottom of the window, so the faucet has room and the sash opens without hitting anything.
Can I replace just the window above my sink?
Yes. Each Renewal by Andersen window is made to fit your opening, so you can start with the kitchen. Our post on whether to replace one window or all of them walks through the trade-offs.
Find the right window for your kitchen
Try styles and colors on our visualizer, then schedule an in-home consultation with Renewal by Andersen of Milwaukee. We serve homeowners in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Mequon, Racine, Kenosha, West Bend and the surrounding counties, and our showroom is at 1741 Dolphin Dr. in Waukesha.
