Black window frames inside - any regrets?!

[FacelikeaBagofHammers]

Hi,

I know this is done to death (probably by me tbh) but I've to order my windows in January for a new build and am panicking!!

It's not just the cost and stress of getting it right, it's the pressure of choosing a colour I'm going to be happy looking at for 30 years.

Anyway, am contemplating black for the inside (more than likely the outside too).

Has anyone here done this and regretted it?

Why are you thinking of black? Have you seen it elsewhere and liked the colour?

They are quite fashionable and they do look fab. However they might date. I'd always go for something more classic less trendy personally.

On a very large window in a very large room - probably ok. On a normal window in a small or average room - no. Putting the source of natural light inside a dark frame will give a feeling of gloom on a dull day. Of which the UK has plenty! Dark frames will also make the windows seem smaller.

If you want to try alternative colours, do it on something that can be changed easily, such as window ledges and reveals.

On balance, I'd go for white inside.

The whole idea is that black is classic, as opposed to a grey or something. I got the idea from chatting to an interior designer who was trying her best to convince me. And now I can get it out of my head!

I don't like wood, and I'm not gone on white tbh. Most of our windows will be large picture windows which will go to ceiling height so they would suit a darker colour if I had the balls!

there is a beautiful house near me that has just been redone with black and I think it ruins the house. I'd go with white.

Is that inside or outside aldi?

I don't like it personally.

I see a lot of window replacement work through my job and you would not believe the difference ripping out dark frames and installing white makes to the light and space in a room.

I do quite like the look of the dark frames on the outside of a house but inside would be an expensive mistake I think. I wouldn't buy a house with black window frames inside, either so that something to think about unless you're never going to sell.

Thanks all. I'm more confused than ever now :(

Not actually having a house to look at yet makes it even harder.

Both Face. I have only seen inside on the sales particulars but it just looked a bit dark.

We have black metal windows in all of our (mainly floor to ceiling) windows. It doesn’t make it dark but it’s a very open plan house, quite high ceilings, light walls and we’re in Australia where there’s a lot of sun (and rain in the winter, to be fair). I think if the house is generally modern and light it could work.

If you google images 'black window frames' you'll see that the vast majority are in white houses or in spacious, minimalist white rooms. They are very much a feature that draw the eye. If that's your design choice, then, yes, it would work beautifully.

But the moment other colours are added, or any clutter, or a small room, then IMO they become dominating and oppressive.

The thickness of the frames matters, too. Particularly in relation to the other proportions. Thin frames are light, elegant and graphic. Thick frames - ewww bury me now!

If you like bold, modern design then go for it.

I would find them to shouty - yes, the scheme in the picture you posted looks nice but if you have any pictures on the wall or a cute ornament on the mantelpiece, the windows will take attention away. I don't know about you, but when I looked at the picture posted, almost all I saw were the windows and barely even noticed the interior.

They date terribly. Look at all the houses that had the hideous dark brown ones put in- they look dreadful now and make houses harder to sell.

You will notice in photos, where they look good are on huge windows. They are rarely shown on small windows and almost never with curtains- because they look pretty awful. Be really careful, it is an expensive decision to make a mistake.

Look great here but who lives like this?

I like them. Many many years ago I painted my wooden single glazed frames black and really liked how it looked. It was like a frame around the view.

FacelikeaBagofHammers

"The whole idea is that blackisclassic, as opposed to a grey or something. I got the idea from chatting to an interior designer who was trying her best to convince me."

... black is so classic... that it is very unusual (end sarcastic mode )

I think it will date quickly, and as others said works really well with only limited colours and decor.
Finally, how long are you intending to stay... as it is omething that may not appeal to future buyers.

Do you think the black effect would be much different to the anthracite grey that's been popular lately?

I think that either black or anthracite can work in the right property. Especially if you’ve got windows and views that you want to draw attention to and otherwise the house will be quite sparsely decorated. However, either looks a little naff on, say, a 30’s house.

White stands out too much imo and can be distracting when looking out especially if there are mullions or thicker frame. Also at night they are very obvious where a darker colour would blend into the glass.

I am so torn now. I don't even know at this stage what a 'safe' colour is for me as I dont want any regrets either way. BTW selling is not an issue (hopefully!), we are building our family home on a family plot.

Cheers for all the advice so far.

The black windows are just too dominating, that's literally the first thing you see! Fine if you're always going to have a monochrome colour scheme but I would have thought it would be hard to introduce any colour?

We have black inside and out and I love it! Our house is contemporary but far from minimal.