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7 Unique Home Styles in Louisville, KY + Their Window Types
Published on
September 7, 2023
Renewal by Andersen is a branch of the well-known Andersen Corporation, focused on window and door replacement projects. Renewal by Andersen serves nearly 100 markets across the United States. In Kentucky, Renewal by Andersen serves major cities such as Louisville, Lexington, and Owensboro.
Having been founded in the 1770’s, with direct access to the Ohio River, Louisville emerged as a major transportation and shipping hub. In fact, in 1850, Louisville was reported as the 10th largest city in the United States, and was home to a diverse population. Due to this, Louisville became a city with a wide-range of home styles and architecture, showcasing a variety of window types as well.
Many remnants of Louisville’s historic past survive into the present day. Those ‘remnants’ oftentimes take the form of residencies or buildings, many of which remain in use. Due to the high demand of custom replacement windows, Renewal by Andersen offers a historical solutions service, particularly relevant to the older cities in Kentucky that we serve such as Louisville.
Some of Louisville’s unique historical buildings include the old Sears building and the businesses featured on Whiskey Row. However, upon exploring The Derby City, one will find there’s no shortage of storied structures from its past.
At Renewal by Andersen, we’re proud to be able to appease the replacement needs of just about any Louisville home or business–regardless of style–with our customization capabilities and historical solutions. Below are some of the unique architectural styles that one will find in Louisville.
Note: If you’re a local, you’ll now know what to call these different styles of homes.
Victorian architecture is a style that was prevalent during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It This style originated in the British Empire and is characterized by ornate detailing, asymmetrical facades, steeply pitched roofs, and decorative woodwork. Victorian homes often include bay windows, turrets, and wrap-around porches. They are far from being cookie-cutter houses.
In Louisville, Victorian architecture can be found in the Old Louisville neighborhood, which has one of the largest collections of Victorian-style homes in the country. When driving down 4th or 2nd streets, you easily spot this style of home. One notable example in Old Louisville is the Pink Palace in St. James Court. Aside from its pink exterior, the home stands out with a dominant turret that commands your attention.
Victorian homes may feature tall, narrow windows in addition to bay windows. These windows often have intricate designs or stained glass. It is also common to find double-hung windows with a single pane of glass in each sash. The doors of Victorian homes match the grandeur of the style with solid wooden doors, stained glass inserts, and ornate detailing.
The shotgun house is a narrow, rectangular domestic residence, usually no more than about 12 feet wide, with rooms arranged one behind the other and doors at each end of the house. Another obvious characteristic of shotgun homes are them being one story, and extending backwards rather than upwards. This unique style gained popularity in the southern United States during the 19th century.
That includes Louisville, where the shotgun style can specifically be found in neighborhoods like Portland, Germantown, and Butchertown. Other American cities hosting large concentrations of shotgun houses are St. Louis, New Orleans, and Houston. If you’re a Louisville local, chances are you don’t even realize how many shotgun homes the city contains. Next time you’re in the aforementioned neighborhoods, take a look around.
Windows in shotgun houses are typically tall and narrow, often with wooden sash. The front door, directly aligned with the back door, allows for air to flow freely through the home – a design choice that was particularly beneficial in the pre-air conditioning era.
This is the only Louisville home style making the list that doesn’t originate too far in the past. In fact, Contemporary architecture is a broad term that encompasses a range of styles developed in more recent times. These homes can be characterized by clean lines, large windows, open spaces, and an overall modern look. However, those characteristics don’t apply to all contemporary styles and–once more–there are varying styles considered to be contemporary.
In Louisville, contemporary homes are especially prevalent in neighborhoods like NuLu and parts of the East End. These homes may embody styles such as:
Large, expansive windows, often floor-to-ceiling, are generally a hallmark of contemporary architecture. They not only allow an abundance of natural light but also blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Sliding or pivot doors, often in glass, add to the open feel of the design.
The Craftsman style emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution. It emphasizes handcrafted details, exposed rafter tails, and a mix of materials. Deep eaves, large front porches, and multi-pane windows are common features.
In Louisville, Craftsman homes are sprinkled throughout the city, but become particularly abundant in the Highlands and Bonnycastle neighborhoods.
Craftsman homes often have double-hung windows with a multi-pane design on the upper sash. The front doors of Craftsman homes are usually solid wood with a window insert, often with stained or leaded glass.
Inspired by medieval English architecture, Tudor Revival homes became popular in the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These homes feature steeply pitched roofs, half-timbering, and tall, narrow windows with multi-pane glazing. The half-timbering (see below) is what really makes this style of home standout, usually seen on the gable of these homes.
Neighborhoods like Cherokee Gardens and Audubon Park boast beautiful Tudor Revival homes, for example.
The windows in these homes are often casement style, made up of multiple small panes. Windows in Tudor homes often compliment the unique doors featured in this home’s style. Doors in Tudor homes are typically made of solid wood, with arched tops and intricate hardware.
Cape Cod architecture originates from New England in the 17th century. These homes are characterized by steep roofs, symmetrical designs, and dormer windows. They are often clad in wood siding. As opposed to some of the other styles listed, Cape Cod homes maintain a pretty simple layout but can vary from one another.
Although Louisvillians may associate St. Matthews with shopping or nightlife, it may also be synonymous with the Cape Cod style of home. Simply take a detour into any of the neighborhoods off of Breckenridge or Chenoweth lanes and this becomes clear. The Cape Cod style is also popular around George Rodgers Clark Park.
Windows in Cape Cod homes are usually double-hung with wooden sashes. Windows are also featured in the entry door layout of these homes. Traditionally, an entry door features two windows to one side, or a third window on the other side of the door. The third window option is typically seen in modern day Cape Cod homes.
Originating in the 1920s, the Ranch style home became incredibly popular post-World War II, especially during the 1950s and '60s. It's characterized by its single-story design, long horizontal layout, and open floor plans. The integration of the garage into the home's design and large windows are also typical of this style.
The style isn’t necessarily unique, and it’s far from being specific to Louisville. However, it’s still a style that’s common to see in Louisville homes and many suburban neighborhoods.
Ranch style homes often feature large picture windows in the living areas, providing ample natural light. Not unlike the large windows in these homes, sliding glass doors leading to back patios or yards are also common, allowing for easy indoor-outdoor living. Patio doors may also feature side windows, or French Doors with large window inserts.
Dutch Revival, also known as Dutch Colonial, is a style inspired by homes in the early American settlements of the New Netherlands, particularly in parts of New York and New Jersey. This style is easily recognized by its broad gambrel roof, which is reminiscent of a barn roof. The symmetrical facade and the use of brick or shingle siding are other hallmarks.
In Louisville, there are some Dutch Revival homes in Audubon Park.
Windows in Dutch Revival homes are often double-hung with multiple panes, giving them a traditional and elegant appearance. The doors in these homes frequently feature a solid construction, often adorned with decorative glass elements or upper window panels.
Renewal by Andersen specializes in replacement windows and doors. We’re able to replace both doors and windows across a wide range of home or architectural styles, including historical homes in the area. Our custom window replacement options allow homeowners to select styles which maintain the architectural integrity of the home, with the energy-efficiency of modern technology.
Our windows also come with an industry-leading 20 year warranty to help your historical home stay cozy in the years to come.
"Our home is from 1890 and we greatly feared internal damage. There was none! The quote was exactly as specified, the quality is exceptional, and the look of the new windows changes our whole house. We love them!"
-Gene Louisville, KY
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