Do the Windows In Your Minneapolis Home Bring Nature Into Your Life?

There is a term that is becoming very popular in home design and decor – biophilia. ‘Bio’ means life, and ‘philia’ relates to love.   It’s literally ‘love of life.’ The basic concept behind design rooted in biophilia is the connection between our daily lives and the living things around us, i.e. nature.  You see it in the trends over the past few years that blurs the distinction between indoor and outdoor living.  The rising popularity of outdoor kitchens is just one example.  And here in the Twin Cities where we have so much natural beauty around is, it just follows that we would enjoy bringing nature into our home lives.

But what does biophilia mean for windows in your home?  Think in terms of what can bring nature indoors, or at least give the feeling of being outdoors.  Now that we’re spending even more time than usual in our houses, this is particularly important. Being around nature, even just observing it, can elevate your mood and relax you.  Studies show that people who are surrounded by natural elements are more productive.  And if the right windows in your home can bring in more natural light, that’s an extra plus.

Here are some ideas for incorporating biophilic design with replacement windows:

• Maximize the glass in areas that get great views of natural scenes.  Does your home overlook a wooded area, or perhaps you’ve got a beautifully landscaped yard?  Certain window frames such as the fiberglass ones created by Marvin are thinner and take up less space in a window opening.
• Add a greenhouse or garden window that permits you to grow more plants.  Or perhaps a bay or bow window that creates a shelf for your plants.
• Consider adding a Mon-Ray ‘glasswall’ porch enclosure that allows you to enjoy your outdoor views at any time of the year.
• If you’re replacing windows anyway, think about enlarging your window openings and go for floor-to-ceiling windows.  Or in some spaces, the right window just might be sliding patio doors.  The photo shown here (courtesy of Marvin) demonstrates this. You can also see how the view outdoors predominates in this living room area.
• Incorporating natural materials (or those that have a natural look) is another way to introduce biophilia into your home.  Some replacement window manufacturers offer real-wood interiors with maintenance-free exterior cladding.  Or you might opt for wood-look frames in fiberglass or vinyl.  That way you get a natural look without all the upkeep required.

Here at Window Outfitters, we’d like to help you love being in your home and enjoy the feeling it creates when you’re there.  The right windows can play a very important role.  For a free quote on replacing the windows your home with those that might be more nature-friendly, please contact us.  We are a licensed Minnesota replacement window company serving the greater Minneapolis metro area.

 

 

 

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.