In January 2024 black windows, hardware and lighting became the builder default and now in 2026, I’m hearing everywhere that with many builders, black windows are the ONLY option:
Recently an eDesign client building a moody rustic exterior in the mountains submitted in her questionnaire that the builder was offering only black windows. My team went back to her to suggest that she ask her builder what it would look like to have other colour options (bronze specifically).
Since she agreed with me that the black windows going up everywhere in her area looked harsh and trendy, she persisted with her builder and finally was able to access bronze windows. But it was an upgrade. One my client was happy to pay for.
So yes, it’s official, in 2026 black windows are the builder default.
Please make sure this doesn’t happen to you 💛
Avoid making expensive decisions out of context
The only way to be in charge of the outcome of your project is to have a clear plan.
Window frame colour is one of the first decisions you’ll be asked for. And if you don’t have your exterior colours and finishes completely nailed down, the interaction will go something like this:
Builder: We are putting in the order for your windows
You: ok
(You now have black windows).
Or like this:
Builder: We are putting in the order for your windows, the options are black or white. You want the current black look right?
You: Ummm, we aren’t sure yet. But I guess black looks current and most people are choosing black these days?
Builder: Yep. Great, we’ll get them ordered.
(Bam! Black windows on your whole house).
Then in the interim months, once you’ve done some thinking about what you want your exterior to look like, you start to realize black windows don’t suit the direction at all. But it’s too late. You’re stuck with an irreversible, expensive, trendy mistake.
I’ve spent decades teaching that choosing permanent finishes from a timeless perspective is the only way to have a home you’ll love forever. But to do that you need to have a solid plan created with that end clearly in mind. So before you sign that window order, here is what you need to know about the exterior black window trend.
From Hot to Predictable
When they arrived on the scene at the start of the modern farmhouse trend, after decades of drab brown and then grey exteriors, the high-contrast look of black windows on a white house quickly became the hottest new thing. So so high contrast and striking, they looked “sexy”, bold and new!
But all trends eventually die because they get overdone and the consumer craves something new. If every new house was red because red was trending the same thing would be happening.
The “Black Hole” Syndrome
The other thing to consider is that windows without white or cream mullions naturally look like dark holes in the facade during the day and at night from the inside.
When you add heavy black frames, they often lose all their architectural detail and simply look like soulless black holes from the street. The pretty photos you see on Pinterest? They are almost always taken at dusk with every interior light turned on to make the windows glow (below). In the bright daylight, that effect disappears, and your curb appeal goes with it.
A More Timeless Dark Alternative: Bronze
If your house truly needs dark windows to look right, skip the harsh black. Consider bronze instead. This is what I recommended for my client that was creating a rustic home but was clear she didn’t want trendy black windows. Anodized dark brown or bronze frames offer a classic, softer look that is somewhat less stark and much less trendy. Softer charcoal is also pretty like this house below.
Interior Windows
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know my opinion is that your interior windows should definitely be white to create the versatile canvas your decorating needs. You don’t want to be stuck decorating around harsh black rectangles in every room long after the black and white trend has gone.
Stop Guessing. Start Comparing.
So as I said, it comes down to having a well considered plan laying out exactly what you want before your builder starts asking you for big expensive decisions. Again, windows are one of the very first choices you’ll be called to make. Building a home requires hundreds of high-stakes decisions, and the order of those choices determines if your house looks timeless or like a 2026 time capsule. Guessing leads to expensive mistakes you have to live with forever.
And if you already have black windows on your exterior, don’t worry, there are some very good strategies to update the look. We often help clients with this issue in my remote consultations.
My eDesign New Build Package with the All Inclusive Exterior Add On provides you with a complete colour and finish schedule—from windows and roofing to flooring, paint and cabinetry—so your home feels cohesive and intentional from day one.
Shop my New Build eDesign Packages here.
And if you want to be the expert of your own home, The Killam Colour Starter Kit gives you the all the essential tools you need to get every colour selection just right, no second guessing.
Are you currently planning a new build or renovation and have questions about my packages? Email my team here.
How is your builder reacting to your requests for something other than black windows? If you have black windows and are dismayed at how black they look during the day, my exterior masterclass has the solution. You can access it here.
Related Posts
What if Red was the Trending Exterior Colour?
I used electrical tape to cover the trim on internal windows as a low peril way to test the black look. It’s definitely not for me and made the room much darker.
Don’t they make windows that are bronze on the outside and white on the inside?
You can get windows with a color on the outside and white on the inside. I did that with a previous house where white on the outside would not have looked good with the stone. The window frames were brown on the outside and white on the inside.
Curious as to your thoughts on black porch posts and railings. I live in an HOA townhouse. We will be replacing front porch posts and railings. Most of the homeowners want black. There is NO black on our homes anywhere other than those with a black front door. The homes are a taupe brown siding with brown roofs and tan trim. I keep reminding others that there is NOTHING that a black front porch will relate to and it may look like a dark depressive hole on our already dreary looking exteriors. It is an uphill battle as they see the trend and think it will look rich. I have used your comment that “black can be bossy”. While it can be beautiful in the right setting, on our homes I think it would look hideous. I suggested we hire you to specify what would enhance our curb appeal and they looked at me like I was from another planet. I am concerned this horrible change will be ram rodded through. I have shown them photos of poorly done black porches, colored in our actual homes with black porches and they just don’t get or see it. Thanks for letting me vent, it felt good. If you or any readers have suggestions, I am all ears.
The point you’re trying to make with your neighbours, that the black won’t relate to anything else on the houses, is (or ought to be) a compelling argument. Have you tried showing different options with AI-generated photos? Maybe you can bring them around that way. Good luck!
Wrought iron railings generally look best in black but I would have to see a photo in order to give you the best advice, email my team at [email protected] with photos. Thanks, Maria
Bronze? I don’t consider that timeless. It locks you into a particular color scheme and IMO will look dated in a few years’ time. Stick to white!
I have a new build and my husband is our Contractor and before I knew it, he had ordered our windows, but THANKFULLY he ordered black on the outside and WHITE on the INSIDE!! Whew they are grand and beautiful! His words were; “Happy Wife-Happy Life”!!!
Smart! Maria
I did black exterior casement windows (white on inside) but had them all framed separately to avoid the thick black mullions. They have rather thin black frames and are all trimmed in white, so hoping to have a touch of contrast but minimize the black hole effect. Still in construction so hoping it works as planned.
We live in rural Nova Scotia on the ocean, in an area where the vernacular is either cedar cottage or two-storey wood siding in soft or bright colours. A charming young couple has bought the lot next to us, and are currently having a custom house built. It is an urban-style box with a sloping roof – and the windows, siding, roof and front door are all black. To say that it doesn’t fit into the vernacular of the neighbourhood is a massive understatement. I just said to my husband the other day that it’s a look that is already either out or on its way out, and it simply won’t age well.
We are investing in some trees to put in between our properties….
Yikes. I’ve seen some of those all-black houses, and it’s a trend I can’t understand.
I am forever grateful to for Maria’s expert advice on black windows. While building my Spanish inspired home, I considered bronze interior and exterior windows. The bronze interior windows would’ve surely limited other interior design selections. I am sure it would’ve cost thousands to replace the interior bronze windows once I realized my mistake. After reading Maria’s previous post on this subject, I installed bronze windows on the exterior only and an off white for the interior windows. I couldn’t be happier.
Yay your house is beautiful Bronwyn! Maria
I definitely want wood trim on the interior of my home. Ideally I’d want wood windows. If not wood, I’d prefer the look of bronze windows with the wood trim as opposed to white windows. Any guidance on interior window choice with wood interior trim? Rustic style home.
What would you recommend for windows without mullions? I’ve read your posts about the perils of all-black windows before, but after seeing lots of mullion-less white windows that don’t relate to anything else on the exterior either, I’m not sure what to do…
Windows without muntins (most people incorrectly call them mullions) give traditional homes a vacant, soulless look. I know it’s really popular right now (don’t kid yourself, it’s because it’s CHEAP and saves builders a boatload of money). At the very least, choose muntins on the windows that face the road for curb appeal.