Attachment 3 - Sections 3.7 and 4.8.4, Residential Design GuidelinesResidential Design Guidelines30
Town of Los Gatos
BUILDING DESIGN3
3.7 WINDOWS
3.7.1 Arrange windows in patterns and groupings consistent
with the architectural style and surrounding
neighborhood
•Many architectural styles have individual windows that are
grouped into patterns of two, three or more windows. Be
conscious of this fact, and organize the windows to comple-
ment the style.
3.7.2 M atch window types and proportions to the
architectural style and to the surrounding
neighborhood
•Select window types to complement the style of the house.
Each architectural style generally has one or two window
types that are traditional to the style. Double hung windows,
for example, are common features of Victorian and Crafts-
man Styles while casement windows are seen frequently in
Mission and Spanish Eclectic styles.
•Most architectural styles feature windows that have either
vertical or square proportions. Avoid horizontal window
proportions unless the style (e.g., Modern or Ranch Style)
is clearly supportive of that shape. Horizontal groupings
of vertical and square windows are one means of providing
visual balance to a facade design.
•Limit the number of different window types and propor-
tions to enhance the visual unity of the house design.
•For second floor additions to existing homes, match the
windows on the original first floor.
•Match the size and shape of window shutters to the shape
and size of the windows. Shutters that are large enough to
cover the windows, if closed, should be the goal. Hinges
on shutters to allow their closure are desirable. Avoid very
narrow shutters that are clearly not wide enough to cover
the window opening.
3.7.3 Match window materials to the architectural style
and to the surrounding neighborhood
•Wood windows are common in Los Gatos. Wood is still
the desired choice for styles that traditionally used wood.
However, today there are some window materials, such as
vinyl clad wood windows that are not noticeably different
from wood at a short distance. They may be used if their
visual appearance matches wood.
•Generally, avoid metal windows. They may be considered
acceptable for a Modern Style house, but would be strongly
discouraged for all other styles.
Group windows in a manner that is traditional
for the architectural style
Most architectural styles have
vertically proportioned windows
Windows with some depth from
the frame to the glass are desirable
ATTACHMENT 3
Residential Design Guidelines 31
Town of Los Gatos
BUILDING DESIGN3
3.7.4 Design the windows with attention to matching the
traditional details of the architectural style
• Most architectural styles - except Mission, Spanish Eclectic
or Modern - should have wood trim around the windows.
The trim width should be matched to the style, but in gen-
eral, should not be less than 3 1/2 inches wide. Head trim
depth should be equal to or wider than the jamb casing, but
not less than one-sixth of the opening width.
• Projecting window sills and heads are strongly encouraged
unless the architectural style would not normally have those
features.
• Wood trim is also encouraged on stucco houses unless the
window frames are recessed at least 6 inches from the out-
side face of the wall. The use of stucco covered foam trim
is strongly discouraged.
• Divided lights (i.e., larger window panes broken up into
smaller pieces) are common in many home styles found in
Los Gatos. Use either vertical or square proportions for the
smaller window elements. Be consistent in the proportions
(i.e., the ratio of the horizontal to the vertical dimension)
of the smaller panes. Do not use snap in flat grids to simu-
late divided lights. Use either true divided lights or one of
the newer window systems that have dimensional muntins
on both the exterior and interior of the glass along with a
spacer muntin between the panes of glass. Use consistently
for windows on all sides of the house.
3.7.5 Special window shapes and styles should be used
sparingly
• Avoid Estate Home Style windows (e.g., tall arched windows)
in neighborhoods where the homes are more modest and
informal in character.
• Bay windows should be designed with a base element to the
ground or with supporting brackets at the base. Sloped roofs
should be used and covered with a material that matches
the roof material or with metal. Avoid using wall materials
between the individual windows of the bay window unless
the window is large. Generally, bay windows look best when
the windows are close together and separated by wood jambs
that match wood sills and heads as shown in the example
to the right.
Most architectural styles will be
complemented by wood trim at
the jambs, heads and sills
Use bay windows sparingly and
detail them as an integral part of
the design
Avoid Estate Style windows like this
on smaller scale homes
Residential Design Guidelines48
Town of Los Gatos
HISTORIC RESOURCES4
• New materials should identically match original materials
in shape, size, dimension, texture and pattern. Metal used
as flashing, screening, gutters, and utility services and other
traditional elements are acceptable.
• Composite, synthetic, metal, vinyl, plastic or fabricated/
imitation wood products, painted brick or imitation used
brick will generally not be approved. However, some ex-
ceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis when the
decision making body determines that the replacement is
consistent with the appearance of the original material, and
that a lay person would be unlikely to discern the difference.
The burden of proof will reside with the applicant. Mate-
rial samples, photographs and specific locations where the
material may be seen in use will all assist in the evaluation
of alternative materials.
• The decision making body may approve an acceptable alter-
native to the original building material if use of the original
material is not feasible due to unreasonable cost and com-
mercial availability, or health and safety considerations.
4.8.3 Doors
• Original doors should be retained and restored.
• New replacement doors for Victorians should not be flush,
but of raised or flat panel design.
• Front doors generally should be painted, not stained.
Not applicable to Mission Revival/Mediterranean style structures.
• Screened doors should be real wood framed of simple de-
sign unless patterns can be shown to fit the existing style.
4.8.4 Windows and Glass in doors
• Original windows, glass and window decorations should be
retained and restored.
• Replacement of only the deteriorated portions of the win-
dows is recommended rather than the replacement of the
entire window.
• New or replacement windows should be wood-sashed and
muntined if applicable.
• Sills, lintels, frames, sashes, muntins, and all decorations
should be identically replaced.
• All elements of new windows should be identical in size,
shape, proportion, and dimensions as the original windows
of the building, or consistent with traditional sizes, propor-
tions and dimensions of buildings of the same architectural
style, design and era.
• Windows should be constructed of real glass, and window
Simulated divided lite windows
may be considered on a case-by-
case basis
True divided lite windows are encouraged
when appropriate to the original structure
Original doors and windows should be
retained and repaired
Residential Design Guidelines 49
Town of Los Gatos
HISTORIC RESOURCES4
frames should be constructed of real wood - not vinyl,
metal or plastic. Wood sashes may be vinyl or metal clad if
the window frame and dressing is designed consistent with
the historic context of the building.
• All lites (panes of glass) should be true divided lite, not
artificial or snap-in grids. Simulated Divided Lite windows
are permitted when the details of the window provide
projecting muntin elements on the exterior and interior of
the window along with a spacer muntin between the panes
of glass (See example to the left).
• New arched, angled, and/or octagonal windows are discour-
aged.
• Large expanses of blank exterior walls without windows
are discouraged.
4.8.5 Bay Windows
• Size, shape, proportion, dimension, type of foundation, and,
roof material and style of bay windows, whether restored
or of new construction, should be identical to the original
or existing bay windows of the structure.
• New bay windows may be added to the building in loca-
tions where no bay windows previously existed. These new
bay windows should be identical to and replicate the style,
design, size, shape and proportion, type of foundation and
roof of other bay windows existing on structure. If there are
no existing bay windows on the structure, new bay windows
should be built in the same size, shape, dimension, propor-
tions, material and type of foundation and roof typical of
the architectural style. Metal frame kitchen garden windows
are prohibited.
• Generally, traditional architectural styles will require either a
foundation to the ground or substantial supporting brackets
below a bay window. Floating windows without support, as
shown for the bow bay window example to the right, are
rarely appropriate.
• New bay windows are permitted only when the applicant
proves to the Deciding Body that they are consistent with
existing style, design and character of the structure.
4.8.6 Chimneys
• Wood-framed chimneys are prohibited unless their exteri-
ors are covered with brick or river rock veneers. Masonry
veneers may be used. However, they should be detailed
exactly as the solid construction that they are emulating.
• Stucco Mission Revival or Mediterranean style houses may
have stucco covered chimneys.
Match bay windows to the architectural style
of the house
Some window styles, such as this bow bay
window, would have very limited applicability
for use on a historic resource structure
Wood clad chimneys are prohibited
Masonry and stucco chimneys are
preferred