When we envision coastal homes, thoughts of sun-drenched rooms, breezy porches and golden-hour ocean views often come to mind. The key to creating these cozy, comfortable spaces is their windows and doors. Each is carefully chosen not only for its architectural style and appeal, but also for its resilience to harsh seaside conditions.
Coastal architecture responds to both its natural and built surroundings. The sweeping seaside shores, towering rocky cliffs, historic lighthouses, bustling ports and sailing docks all influence the residential designs of these settings. Houses may sprawl low along the banks or follow the steep terraces of high ground. Whether traditional or contemporary in style, these homes tend to respect an architectural legacy of handcrafted wood, metal and stone building materials. Each structure seems to have a sense of permanence and purpose that transcends time. The windows and doors on these homes are more than decorative; they must withstand wind, water, salt, sand and sun.
Let’s explore some signature coastal architecture styles and how windows and doors enhance their aesthetic, views, functionality and longevity, inspiring beautiful, comfortable spaces in any setting from mountain retreats to city homes.
Four classic coastal styles include Cape Cod, beach cottage, Mediterranean and coastal contemporary. Additionally, there are homes that intentionally blend two or more styles and other homes that take an organic path developed through generations.
Cape Cod
Originating from New England’s windswept shores, Cape Cod homes are typically smaller, symmetrical and historic, with wood siding, stone foundations and steep-pitched roofs. A defining feature is a central front door framed by double-hung windows on either side, often with divided lites reminiscent of an era when glass sizes were limited. Dormer windows also are common, bringing light into upper stories while maintaining a compact footprint. Wooden shutters, whether functional or decorative, add to the traditional coastal charm.
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Beach Cottage
Though similar in size to Cape Cod homes, beach cottages present a more relaxed, less consistent style. Creating bright, open interiors, beach houses emphasize larger windows — including picture windows, casement or awning windows and French doors — to maximize natural light and breezes. Screen doors and wide porches often frame the entry, encouraging an easy flow between indoors and outdoors. Side entrances may incorporate the dual functionality of Dutch door designs. Wide profile, wood interior framing and trim profiles may be paired with aluminum-clad wood exteriors for reduced maintenance. Shutters also can be functional or decorative. Exterior palettes include white or pastel colors, which reflect sunlight and blend with sandy landscapes.
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Mediterranean
Inspired by Greek and Roman coastal villas, Mediterranean-style homes are larger and more formal. Typically, these homes feature a stretching structural footprint articulated by stucco exteriors, terracotta-style roofs, and arched window and door openings. Whether tall, narrow, spanning multiple levels or short, wide and punctuating a single story, the custom windows and doors have an Old World feel. Frames usually are of hardy wood species, anodized metal to resemble aged bronze or black steel, or painted white to seamlessly blend with stucco. Courtyard-facing French doors, balcony doors and ornamental grilles are hallmarks of this style, blending elegance with durability against humid, salty air.
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Coastal Contemporary
Expansive and open, coastal contemporary houses are designed to focus on views and natural light. Characterized by linear forms and streamlined layouts, these homes feature floor-to-ceiling windows, multi-panel sliding doors and glass walls that dissolve the barrier between indoor and outdoor living. Framing is minimalist, and often precisely produced in aluminum or composite materials. These homes commonly combine operable clerestory windows with extra-wide sliding door systems and extra-tall swinging custom doors for a modernized choice of fresh air and panoramic views.
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Other Styles
- Key West – Known for wraparound porches with French doors, this Florida staple style features tall, operable windows with louvered shutters designed for challenging, hot, humid climates.
- Nantucket – This style emphasizes natural wood shingles, wide multi-pane windows and grand entry doors, blending rustic charm with maritime influence.
- Lowcountry (Southern Coastal) – Featuring tall, operable windows, double-height porches and transom windows above doors, this style prioritizes cross-ventilation in humid environments.
With guidance from design professionals and custom window and door manufacturers, combining multiple styles can still present a cohesive appearance. Some homeowners prefer their front to have a formal, traditional feel that transitions into a casual, contemporary style in the back. Some prefer to differentiate styles to define separate experiences within a home – such as a Mediterranean style kitchen, dining and patio area and a Cape Cod style for the bedrooms and family room spaces. Others opt for an eclectic feel that some call “coastal grandma style,” reflecting nostalgic peacefulness of summers spent with family at the beach.
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A defining element of coastal home design is its deep respect for the surrounding views of oceanic horizons, dramatic cliffs or tranquil harbors. Windows and doors are essential for capturing these vistas, and coastal styles offer a wide range of design strategies to do so. These same strategies can also elevate homes in other settings, from forested retreats to urban rooftops.
To fully embrace coastal scenery, oversized windows and doors open interiors up to expansive views. Large direct set windows with fixed, non-operable panes can create a seamless wall of glass, ideal for unobstructed views. Maximizing glass and minimizing structural interruptions, floor-to-ceiling windows and grand multi-slide doors reduce visible framing, letting the view dominate the space. Corner windows also can eliminate structural posts at a 90-degree intersection, offering clear, wide-angle views.
Not every view needs to be panoramic. Smaller, purposely placed windows can highlight specific landscape features or bring light into unexpected places. Porthole or round windows add nautical character framing focused views, such as a garden, a treetop or a sliver of the sea. Geometric windows – arched, trapezoidal or triangular – can create artistic focal points, connecting architecture to nature in subtle ways.
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Color palettes also play a notable role in complementing views rather than competing with them.
- Whites, creams and soft neutrals create a calm, airy feeling that reflects natural light.
- Blues, grays and sea tones mirror the colors of the sky and water, helping interiors feel connected to the environment.
- Matte and non-reflective finishes on window frames and doors help avoid glare and visual distraction.
To help protect a home’s beauty and performance, a wide range of glass choices are available, including low-e (low emissivity) coatings to control energy transfer and block UV rays. Low-e coatings add value by helping keep people comfortable indoors and reducing the need for heat and air conditioning, despite the weather outside. They also help limit the fading of furniture, furnishings and artwork, while avoiding unwanted tinted glass colors and preserving clean views.
Many of these design choices and options also can be applied to other architectural styles and geographical settings. While these design choices are inspired by life on the water, they are equally powerful in other landscapes. Mountain homes can use large windows and minimized frames to showcase peaks and forests. Urban homes benefit from strategic window placement to capture light and select city views, especially where privacy is a concern. Lakeside and riverfront properties can borrow from coastal techniques to connect interiors with restorative waterscapes.
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Ultimately, coastal reverence for views is a universal design philosophy — creating spaces that feel open, connected to nature and filled with light, wherever they are located.
While picturesque, coastal sites are inherently set in challenging climates. These homes constantly contend with salt air, intense sunlight, high humidity, and the threat of strong winds and storms. Choosing the right materials for windows and doors is essential to ensure the aesthetic beauty is matched by long-term performance and resilience.
Coastal air, rich in salt, can quickly corrode untreated metals and degrade finishes. To maintain both appearance and function, exterior aluminum framing painted finishes and glass coatings are important considerations.
- High-performance 70% fluoropolymer architectural painted coatings for aluminum exteriors provide exceptional resistance to corrosion and color fading, even in direct salt spray environments.
- Neat+™ coating technology on glass helps shed water and resist dirt and salt buildup, reducing maintenance while keeping views clear.
- Low-e coatings can be specified and finetuned for each elevation of a home for solar exposure, further managing unwanted heat gain without reliance on physical exterior shades and interior window treatments.
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Coastal homes often are situated in high-wind zones, where impact-resistant windows and doors are required. Fortunately, modern technology allows homeowners to enjoy this protection without sacrificing architectural integrity.
- Impact-certified windows and doors can be designed with slim profiles, large expanses of glass and high-end finishes, so they look just as beautiful as standard units.
- Visible brackets, rods or bulky reinforcements are passé. Today's impact-certified window and door manufacturers offer systems with clean lines and unobtrusive hardware, preserving a refined appearance.
- Even historical and traditional details, such as divided lites, arched tops or decorative grilles, can be faithfully replicated by impact-rated window manufacturers, making them suitable for Cape Cod, Mediterranean and other classically styled coastal homes.
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While these material choices are essential for coastal homes, they also offer valuable benefits in other environments:
- Mountain homes exposed to strong UV light and snow can benefit from durable coatings and easy-to-clean glass.
- Urban buildings near industrial areas or busy roads can take advantage of corrosion-resistant frames and low-maintenance glass to combat pollution and grime.
- Storm-prone inland areas may also require impact-certified windows and doors for added safety, all while maintaining design flexibility.
Coastal projects serve as great role models for maximizing views and carefully selecting artful vistas, but home styles typically associated with the coast aren’t exclusive to these biomes. Residences with Cape Cod and Mediterranean designs can be found throughout North America and beyond. Borrowing from these styles may inspire a fresh look with a singular identity, adding standout character and unique detail for nearly every possible panorama.
Regardless of where we live and what we see on our horizon, our views are of personal value to every one of us. They nurture our connection to the outdoors and our communities, while giving us access to daylight and fresh air. These qualities contribute to improving our mood, health, motivation, creativity and more.
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Custom window and door manufacturers can support your vision from coast to coast. Beautiful windows and doors are available to meet every climate, any style and each homeowner’s personalized expression. Specialized exterior finishes, glass coatings and impact products are just a few examples of how coastal projects exemplify versatility.
Coastal styles are diverse, but together they speak to the ingenuity of window and door design across the ages and across geographies. By celebrating all views and preparing for many different conditions, coastal style windows and doors offer a universal source of inspiration.