This is a compilation of information on these design elements to be informative to the ACC specialists approving applications for these elements. This works in concert with the other materials and Residential Improvement Guidelines.
ANY EXTERIOR CHANGE IS SUBJECT TO ACC APPROVAL, regardless of the below.
ACC approves rectangular wood, composite or vinyl windows with white, rectangular grids. Also bay windows and picture windows. The brick mold must be white or approved trim color.
Brick Mold (also known as trim or casing) – Windows require brick mold, which is a type of exterior wooden trim that’s used to finish and seal the openings of doors and windows. It’s commonly applied to the connection point between the window frame and the exterior surface of the house (also between the door frame and the wall stud). Our RIGs require that all windows have brick mold with a maximum width of 3.5 inches. The corners must be mitred or flush, with all 4 sides of the window being the same width. If not mitred, the jambs must meet the header and footer and the edges must be finished and sealed (no cuts showing).
Grids –The front and sides elevation must have grids in the windows. The rear elevation does not require grids; however, the ACC does not approve gridded and grid-less windows on the same elevation. All the windows on an elevation must be the same, gridded or grid-less, excluding picture or bay windows.
Half-gridded Windows – The ACC does not allow half-gridded windows.
Size of Lites – The current trend is to have larger lites in gridded windows. The ACC does approve windows with larger lites; but only if all of the gridded windows are being replaced. The ACC does not approve the combination of the older, smaller lites mixed with newer windows with larger lites.
Slider Windows – Large horizontal gridded or grid-less slider windows are not approved. In the case of a basement egress window, it is below ground and required by code so is approved.
Octagon windows are nice recommendation in the bathroom areas.
(Revised October 2024)