The key to selecting the perfect window and door style is to examine the architecture of your home. Replacement windows and doors should complement the architecture and, ideally, blend in seamlessly.

If you have an 80-year-old Prairie style home, then windows with divided light patterns that mimic the Prairie style would be a good fit. If your house has a bold contemporary design, then look for large, open windows with minimal details.

While older windows come with lots of maintenance, there are plenty of products on the market that can mimic the classic, old look while keeping maintenance requirements to a minimum.

Windows with aluminum cladding, for example, offer protection from the elements without the extra work of painting and scraping. They are made by many companies, in colors ranging from white to gray, brown and dark green.

There also are several companies that will vary the style and placement of the window mullions to create a specified design.

Windows also come in a variety of shapes, including:

• Rectangles
• Squares
• Circles
• Octagons

While most of your windows should be the same shape, consider spicing up one section of your home by adding a circular window in a bathroom or an octagon in the family room.

As you shop for replacement windows, consider:

• Existing windows and doors - the size, shape, presence of detailing. You want new windows and doors to blend as closely as possible with these existing elements.
• Colors - if your existing windows are white vinyl, stick with the same look unless you plan to replace them all, which can become an expensive home improvement project. If your other windows are painted wood, then splurge on wood if possible. With interior doors, use the same door on all closets, bedrooms, laundry rooms, etc.
• Size - keep new windows proportional to others and to the lines and style of the house.

Interior doors also should coordinate with the home's architecture and help create a cohesive design scheme. In a traditional house, raised panel doors with four or six panels typically work well, for example.

When replacing a sliding glass door to a patio, look for a style that coordinates with other exterior doors and with doors on the first floor. The glass might be divided into 12 sections by wood mullions that mimic that found on the windows, for example.