Criss cross window or clear glazing for mock Tudor house?

[CocoCom]

Hi everyone, I’m upgrading my windows from single to double glazing and considering removing the black lead criss-cross pattern. I prefer a clear view from inside, but I’m unsure if it would suit my Tudor-style house. It’s not required by regulations in my area—I’ve checked.

Would love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you.

Would really need to see a photo - if you can.

You could consider leaded lights at the front and clear at the back.

@CocoCom

Small panes like this?

A few images here to give an idea.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles please see the picture below, my windows have black lead lines like this.

@beetr00 Thanks for the suggestions. Do you think the criss cross make the houses look better? I personally prefer a neat look of clear glass, but I fear I may kill the aesthetic of the house due to my wrong opinion.

Clear glass. Anything else will merely be a pastiche - and will look it.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles Sorry, I'm not sure why the photos didn't come up. Basically my house has brick on the ground floor and white wall with black timbers on the first floor. The windows have slim black/grey lead lines as you mentioned. I have all clear glass door toward the back garden. I am thinking of changing the windows at the front toward the street to be clear glass too. Not sure if it is a bad idea.

@CocoCom

I think leaded windows do look nice but... they do generally reduce the amount of light entering a room.

The clear glass examples, on the second site I posted, look perfectly acceptable, imho. 🙂

Are your neighbours houses in a similar style? Can you have a nosy at what they have done and see what you like?

I can’t stand leaded double glazed windows. Like pp said, they do cut out a lot of light. DM just had hers replaced (not mock Tudor house though) and the difference in light coming in is amazing.
I’d go for clear. It looks far better on the images I’ve quickly googled.

The criss-cross ones are very 1980s.

Maybe your images were too big, @CocoCom

Is it an Arts and Crafts house? When was your house built?

I have googled "arts and crafts" houses and find my house look similar, just at smaller scale of 4 bedrooms. It was built in 1930. It has quite an authentic traditional look, which I really like. I don't know why I just so dislike the criss cross part.

We’ve recently replaced our leaded windows for clear glass and don’t regret it for a second. We can actually see our stunning garden so clearly. The brightness of our north facing living room has greatly improved.

Leaded light windows are beautiful. I think when they are replaced with just plain glass it can cheapen the look of the house

Well - mock Tudor is a pastiche.

@CocoCom I would do criss cross or casement as per @beetr00.

Indeed, it doesn't need to look more so

Leaded windows also date, and not in historical way. They date in the same way interiors trends do.

Clear panes also allow for a open outlook & more light.

I hate leaded windows on modern houses.

@CocoCom We he’s rectangular leads. Very slim and double glazed. They do let in lots of light are a good compromise. We are not Tudor but the house is 1930s in places so we kept all the windows the same to make it harmonious. Would this work?

I think if you go for clear glass your house will look very generic just like the millions of 1930’s houses across the country, your house is mock Tudor and a design style of it’s time, I think it’s a real shame to take out a character feature, the rectangular leaded lights above are lovely.

I came on to say Clear, but having seen those rectangular ones they look lovely! Not diamond pane ones though. They look good nowhere except actual Tudor Manor Houses (to me anyway-I’m prepared to accept I’m not the world authority on windows).

Can you not keep the windows? You could be devaluing the house. Secondary glazing can be added for warmth.

Thank you, everyone, for your advice.
It seems many people agree with me about disliking the criss-cross, but many others also encouraged me to honor the traditional beauty.
I’ll have to let my architect decide. Knowing architects’ style, I suppose that will mean keeping the tradition.

No.

@CocoCom Knowing architects’ style, I suppose that will mean keeping the tradition.

Have you already chosen your architect?

Another option could be to have the leaded windows in the top windows only. I’ve seen this look lovely.