Tips

How to pick out home office windows

Most of us spend most of our days working, and the space we do it in affects how we feel and function, so picking out windows for an office shouldn’t be an afterthought. We’ll explain what to consider.

A desk that floats in front of a monumental picture window that begins at the floor and affords views of the forest outside.

A desk that floats in front of a monumental picture window that begins at the floor and affords views of the forest outside.

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Is your home office beautifully appointed for the purpose, or is it a corner of your kitchen? Either way, there's one essential it must have — good natural light! Natural light doesn’t just make the space more pleasant, natural light has been shown to boost mood and energy.¹ Who doesn’t need that to get through the week? To help you plan windows for your home office, we’ve got some tips that are relevant no matter how grand or humble your space might be.

What are the best windows for a home office?

As working from home is a more recent phenomenon, home offices haven’t been built into the homes that most of us live in. Thus, you could argue that it’s the least standard room in the house. In fact, “room” could be a generous term in some cases, as it tends to be carved out of any extra space available — a spare bedroom, an attic, a corner of the kitchen, or even a closet. For this reason, the best windows for a home office really depend on the space itself.

But if you want the short answer, it’s this: The best windows for a home office will be those that make it easier to work by maximizing natural light and comfort (not too hot or too cold) without interfering with computer work. We’ll explain how to pick out windows that can do all this and more.

A kitchen/office with cherry cabinetry, white quartz countertops, and large casement windows that flood the space with natural light.

A kitchen/office with cherry cabinetry, white quartz countertops, and large casement windows that flood the space with natural light.

Beginning the windows at counter height helps maximize the natural light in this kitchen/office. It’s not necessarily standard to have a home office, so getting creative with the space you’ve got is the name of the game. And natural light is our number one requirement for an office.

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How can you maximize natural light without interfering with computer work?

The balance you’re trying to strike is allowing in that feel-good natural light without creating a blinding glare on your computer screen or positioning yourself, so the sun is directly in your eyes. Sometimes you can get around this by positioning your desk at a right angle to the window. Sometimes you can get around it by positioning windows on a wall where the light will be filtered — such as the north wall. And sometimes window coverings are the answer — especially when the alternative is no window.

A home office with blue painted cabinetry, a white oak work surface, and casement corner windows that make the space airy and bright.

A home office with blue painted cabinetry, a white oak work surface, and casement corner windows that make the space airy and bright.

Two casement windows create a corner window effect in this bright and cheerful home office.

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How can windows create a space that’s conducive to focused work?

If you live near an airport, a highway, or a railroad track, you might be thinking about how to muffle outside noise so you can create a peaceful workspace. There are certain window selections that can help. They work by increasing the thickness of your window glass, which inhibits sound’s ability to travel. Here are three options to know about:

Dual- and triple-pane glass includes two and three panes of glass respectively with air spaces in between. Both will muffle sound (and boost energy efficiency). Dual-pane glass is standard with our windows and triple-pane glass is an option through the E-Series and A-Series product lines.
Laminated glass is a non-standard glass option that includes a layer of clear vinyl, which makes it thicker and more rigid. This option is available with a wide variety of our products.
STC upgrades include glass panes of varied thicknesses, which are very effective at dampening sound. Find this option available through our 100 Series and E-Series product lines.

A desk that floats in front of a monumental picture window that begins at the floor and affords views of the forest outside.

A desk that floats in front of a monumental picture window that begins at the floor and affords views of the forest outside.

This cleverly designed office space perched at the end of a hallway reclaims space that would otherwise be underutilized while also bringing in lots of light through the wall-sized E-Series Picture Window. E-Series windows are available with various options that can help reduce noise, like an STC upgrade or triple-pane glass.

Products Shown

E-Series Picture Window

Products used in this image

E-Series Picture Window

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How can windows make your home office more comfortable?

If you work from home, there’s no room, besides the bedroom, where you’ll spend more time. So, there’s a strong argument to be made for energy-efficient windows that will help increase your comfort level by keeping temperature levels where you want them. Energy efficiency can be improved in various ways, including by selecting a more efficient type or style of window, such as a casement. A low-emissivity glass coating suitable to your climate can also help. And upgrading to triple-pane glass can also increase efficiency.

In addition to improving comfort, there are financial incentives to choosing efficient windows, such as lower energy bills. In some cases, utility rebates and tax incentives might be available as well. Find out more about how to pick out energy-efficient windows.

A lofted home office space with a large-scale picture window with a plant-filled bench underneath that’s furnished with desk and loveseat.

A lofted home office space with a large-scale picture window with a plant-filled bench underneath that’s furnished with desk and loveseat.

To maximize the natural light in this lofted office space, DIYer Mandi Gubler chose an A-Series Specialty Window whose shape mirrors the roofline. But letting in the light without letting in too much heat was also a concern in this desert home, so she selected a low-emissivity glass coating that helps shield the home from too much of the sun’s heat.

Products Shown

A-Series Specialty Window

Products used in this image

A-Series Specialty Window

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Will your home office always be an office?

You might currently be officing out of your home’s “bonus space,” but that space might not always be available — maybe your family is growing, and your office will someday become a nursery. Why does thinking about the room’s potential future purpose matter when it comes to window selection? For one, egress requirements often mean bedrooms need a window large enough to allow for emergency escape. Adding a window that meets this requirement can help a room qualify as a bedroom, and suddenly your two-bedroom home is a three bedroom. This could also increase resale value later.

No room for an office? How about an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

What do you do when you’re locked into your current home but there’s no room for an office? How about a standalone office in the backyard? Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are standalone structures that share a lot with an existing single-family home and serve all sorts of purposes — for example housing aging parents or young adult children. They generally have the basics needed for living — kitchen, bathroom, living, and sleeping spaces. As municipalities across the country have made them more allowable through easing zoning restrictions, they’ve increased in popularity. An ADU can be a versatile approach to meeting your need for a home office.

When selecting windows for an office ADU, keep in mind the fact that you’ll need a door. Selecting the right door might allow you to meet multiple needs with a single product, as opposed to multiple products. For example, adding a third panel to a standard sliding glass door or opting for an extra tall door might allow you to maximize natural light without the need for additional windows. Any of these options could allow you to streamline the products needed, potentially saving you money.

Home office window FAQs

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What about the rest of the house?

We've got tips to help you select the best windows for every room.

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¹The effects of exposure to natural light in the workplace on the health and productivity of office workers: a systematic review protocol. Accessed November 2024.

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Office

Sound control

Energy efficiency

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