Mullioned windows are attached to multiple windows that are divided by stone mullions. Mullion is the vertical member in between two window panels, while transom is the horizontal element used to hold multiple windows together. Mullioned windows are considered an important characteristic of Gothic architecture. These allow for larger areas of stained glass, which was especially popular during this era due to advances in metallurgy and the availability of highly-skilled craftsmen who could create colorful patterns and designs on large pieces of glass.
Today Mullioned Windows can be seen throughout many parts of Europe, especially in the famous Gothic cathedrals that have been standing for centuries. You may have noticed Mullioned Windows when visiting Cathedrals such as Notre Dame in Paris which has beautiful stained glass windows, or the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims. Mullioned Windows are one of the many distinctive elements that make Gothic architecture so popular today.
10 Stunning Mullioned Windows to Inspire Your Home Renovation
Mullioned windows can be an attractive feature to any home renovation. Mullioned windows are essentially large, glass-paneled divides between internal and external walls that can allow natural light into a space and give the illusion of greater size. Mullions (the dividers) are often paired with transoms (the horizontal dividers) to further enhance their appearance. To help you get started with your own project, here are 10 stunning mullioned windows to inspire your home renovation:
1. Mullioned Windows in Victorian Building Design
The exterior features here include stone window surrounds that have elaborate carvings on each side. These arches go all the way up the building’s four stories, creating several pairs of double-hung sash windows.
2. Mullioned Windows in an Edwardian Building Design
This is the exterior of a three-story Edwardian building with a grand entrance featuring several pairs of tall, arched windows. These types of mullions are typical of the early 20th Century Arts and Crafts style, providing a welcoming aesthetic for passersby.
3. Mullioned Windows in a Georgian Building Design
The classical architectural style employed here creates a symmetrical feel with five sash window pairs divided by heavy stone mullions that also serve as structural elements on either side. The facade’s central feature is a large wooden door with multiple square panels. Metal grills separates them. Many buildings from this era have been restored to resemble their former glory when they were built during the 18th and 19th centuries.
4. Mullioned Windows in a Modern Building Design
These large, arched windows stand out with their standing seam metal roofs and stone exterior walls. Mullions on lower levels of the building are glass and wood and not as bulky as those on the upper floors. Mullioned glass has been used to create even more dimension on the appearance of this structure by incorporating several styles into one example that is modern but also shows some classical features, such as round-top transoms above some of the mullioned panels.
5. Mullioned Windows Mimic French Doors
This home has two doors divided by a large window with heavy mullions, creating an illusion of outside doors leading onto a patio or deck area. Mullioned glass creates the appearance of separate panes that are divided into smaller units, while larger units are created by placing mullions between each panel.
6. Mullioned Windows in an Urban Apartment Building Design
This structure has four floors with six sets of large sash window pairs divided by heavy stone mullions on each level. Some windows have transoms above, creating a vertical effect thanks to the height of the building and its location in a downtown area. Mullioned windows tend to look more attractive when they are used along with multiple other features. Such as balconies, shutters, turrets or decorative sandstone moldings.
7. Mullioned Windows in an Industrial Building Design
These grand industrial-style windows contribute to this factory’s façade. By creating an airy effect that reflects the inside’s many large rooms. Mullioned windows are perfect for industrial buildings, which tend to have large open interior spaces rather than small partitions between rooms. Mullion panes are often set into metal frames with grills at the edges. But they can also be made of wood or other materials such as custom-made steel bars formed into shapes like those on this building.
8. Mullioned Windows in a Seaside Building Design
The blue and white stripes added above each mullion pair draw attention to these tall, arched windows. These provide several panes of divided glass as well as plenty of light. Thanks to their south-facing orientation and optimal height from street level below them. Mullion windows are particularly popular for seaside homes. That often open onto large verandas and decks that feature panoramic views of the ocean.
9. Mullioned Windows in a Victorian Building Design
This three-story structure has several pairs of tall arched windows with multiple panes of divided glass. Mullions provide additional support on these narrow. Window openings by connecting to masonry walls on either side of each set of sash windows. Mullion windows were common during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. When many buildings featured this type of design element that creates an elegant look despite its functional purpose.
10. Mullioned Windows Create Height
Another example of a mullion used to create vertical height comes from this building’s four sets of tall, narrow windows. Mullions are placed between each panel in a design that is both modern and classic looking. Mullion windows are often designed to be visually attractive when they are used on homes, apartment buildings or other types of structures.
Today Mullioned Windows serve architectural purposes but were originally created for religious reasons in medieval Europe. Churches adopted these types of windows in order to let in more light. As well as decorate them with beautiful works of art that told stories from the bible. These were also used in cloisters, the passageways that surround a courtyard or garden. They were usually attached to monasteries or cathedrals where monks and priests would meditate and study holy texts.
These mullions acted as a barrier between the world outside and the sacred ground within. Allowing light from the monastery to come in but not revealing what was going on inside of it. Mullioned windows have been used in cathedrals ever since these beautiful structures were built more than 1,000 years ago.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to add beauty and character to your home, mullioned windows are a great way to go. These stunning creations have been around for centuries in Europe but the style has survived the test of time because it is simply timeless. They’re perfect anywhere that needs an extra dose of elegance. Whether you want them for their aesthetic value or purely practical purposes like creating more natural light inside, mullioned windows will make any space feel bigger while still preserving its original charm! We hope these 10 beautiful examples inspire you when deciding how best to renovate your own home with this type of window design.
