07/03/2026
📖 French Country Architecture: 3 Hidden Rules of Window Frame Design
One of our colleagues came across this while reading a French architecture book, and we couldn’t wait to share it. It turns out that when a building is simple, window frame design becomes even more important.
As the French say:
“The simpler the house, the more important the design of its windows and joinery.”
Here are three subtle principles often found in French country architecture:
1️⃣ Square-based grids
Each window is usually one or two grids wide.
The grids are square, or just slightly taller than they are wide — by only 1–2 cm.
2️⃣ A strong sense of framing
The central mullion (le montant du centre) is about 11–12 cm wide.
The horizontal glazing bars (le petit bois) are around 4–4.5 cm.
Balanced proportions are key — avoid bars that are too thin or removed entirely.
3️⃣ Thickness over width
Increase the depth of the window frame,
reduce the visible width of the wood or profile,
so the window feels lighter and allows more natural light in.
These principles are often overlooked in modern window design, which is why some country-style homes feel slightly “off” — even if you can’t quite explain why.
Respect to the French for uncovering such quietly powerful design details. 🇫🇷🏡
