Panorama window (glazing)

Recently, picture windows have become an architectural trend. In residential complexes, they are considered an asset, so developers often began to use this element in the design of buildings and when selling apartments they advertise a wonderful panorama and plenty of sunlight in the living rooms. Such glazing cannot be found in the economy segment, it is rightly considered a sign of wealth. For many buyers of residential real estate, the presence of such glazing in a country house or apartment can be a decisive criterion in the decision.

Such glazing has many advantages and at the same time several disadvantages. It is impossible to make an informed decision as to whether you need blind picture windows. In this article you will find a complete overview of this piece of architecture so that your decision is informed and objective.

What are panoramic windows?

With this type of glazing, windows replace most of the wall or even the entire wall. At the junction of two walls there are bay windows and corner constructions.

This glazing variant is also called French because it was first used in the French province of Provence. Large windows look very stylish and elegant, create a special atmosphere in the room, a feeling of space and provide a great view. Even a small room stops looking cramped. A lot of sunlight penetrates the room, which is very important for city dwellers.

In the design of suburban real estate, panoramic glazing is often used for glazing a terrace, winter garden or porch. In urban areas, such windows are most often installed on the upper floors of buildings.

Installation of large structures is a complex and expensive process available only to professionals, especially if such glazing is to be installed in an already built building. This often requires the approval of special government agencies and in some cases is not technically possible, for example when the building has the architectural merit of the city.

When is panoramic glazing used?

Already in the name of this type of glazing, its main purpose is established - a beautiful panorama outside the window. Initially, the French put such windows in rooms overlooking a cozy courtyard or a beautiful park. The basic idea is to create a feeling of oneness with nature, a beautiful environment, because the modern rhythm of life leaves little time for leisurely walks in the park or a picnic. So if you want to install floor-to-ceiling glazing, make sure that it creates a pleasant view of the city or a beautiful landscape. A dreary landscape, a destroyed building or the nearby window of a neighboring house will hardly bring you any joy.

Another important factor is the soil. If your room does not overlook a private garden but a busy courtyard or street, everything that happens in your apartment will be clearly visible to passers-by. In this case, you need to constantly curtain your luxurious windows, which means that their presence is meaningless.

Conclusion: when deciding to buy a residential property with panoramic windows or to replace conventional windows with panoramic ones, be sure that the opening view will delight you for many years.

Check the development plan for the area, maybe the view of the square with a pond will change to another high-rise building in the next few years? Or, on the contrary, the old unsightly building will be demolished, and there will be a green park for walking on this territory.

The number of floors is also very important. It is not for nothing that floor-to-ceiling glazing is usually carried out on high floors. This option provides a good overview and only birds can look into your apartment. Otherwise, installing tinted glass units may solve the problem.

Variety and choice of panoramic windows

Panoramic glazing should organically fit into the interior of your house or apartment, so it is better to think about the design of the room in advance, and only then decide on the shape and size of the new windows.

First, decide on a convenient way to open windows.

1. Swing out. A method of double fixing the sash, which allows it to be fully opened or fixed a small gap for ventilation.
2. Parallel glide. Easy to open when there is not enough space for the swing frame. The opening mechanism allows the frames to move parallel to each other. Such structures have good tightness and thermal insulation.
3. Book or accordion. This mechanism is gaining popularity in our country. The advantage of this system is that the structure can be completely moved, combining, for example, a living room and a winter garden.
4. Lifting and pushing. Such frames are very warm and reliable, they have good airtightness and are silent when opening. Their main disadvantage is the high cost of installation.

Lift and slide system

Parallel sliding system

Panoramic windows are distinguished by the peculiarity of the hinged design and can be with impost or with a sash. In fact, these are special mechanisms that regulate the possibilities of opening windows.

1. Window with surcharge. Impost is a central horizontal or vertical element of a window structure. In fact, it is a special plastic profile with steel reinforcement inside. The impost is a support for the sash, visually divides the window opening into several parts. Its main function is to stabilize the structure. The advantage of this system is that each sash can be opened or tilted independently of the others.
2. Window with mullion. The sash mechanism for attaching the sashes allows you to get rid of the overlay, that is, from the "extra" vertical partitions separating the window frame. It resembles a double-leaf door - by opening both leaves we get a single opening. The hardware of the faceplate system can vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer. As a rule, one of the flaps can swing open and tilt for ventilation, the second only swing open.

When choosing the type of opening, consider the size of the structure, the need for full opening, e.g. B. for cleaning windows, the frequency of airing the room.

Materials for profile execution

The most common materials are metal-plastic and aluminum. They have practically replaced wooden profiles. Not so long ago, glass composite components appeared, which are quickly gaining popularity.

Profiles can have different performance classes: Economy, Premium or Standard. They are also cold and warm.

Important! Construction safety and heat saving depend on the type of profile. PVC profiles look the same, but the ability to provide thermal insulation and strength depends on the class (reinforced with metal reinforcement).

Cold profiles are used for glazing of verandas, terraces, loggias and unheated balconies. Most often, such structures are assembled from an aluminum profile without a thermal break - it is light, but at the same time durable, an excellent solution for large structures. Such glazing lasts a long time and is inexpensive. A metal-plastic profile for cold glazing is also suitable, however, large windows are heavier than aluminum windows. A 3-chamber profile with a thickness of 60 mm is used. in combination with one or two-chamber double-glazed windows.

Warm panoramic windows are mounted from metal-plastic or “warm” aluminum. Plastic profiles are the most popular because they are durable and affordable. Depending on the desired sound and heat insulation, they can be equipped with multi-chamber double-glazed windows with different glass thicknesses.

A special niche is taken up by aluminum profiles in special designs with thermal bridges or thermal breaks. A special insulating layer allows it to be kept warm, which makes this type of profile suitable for making warm window structures.

A few nuances before installation

1. Panoramic windows were invented in Europe, whose climate is much warmer than ours: your thermometer rarely drops below -10 degrees. In our climate, it is necessary to take care of the additional heating of the panoramic glazing zone. In this case, normal batteries can be used as long as they ensure the necessary temperature exchange. As a rule, special convectors or tubular heaters are installed under the floor for this purpose. Heated windows can also be installed, but they are expensive.
2. Floor-to-ceiling glazing can be dangerous for small children. You can solve this problem by installing parental controls.
3. With large windows on the ground floor, it is worth buying impact-resistant double-glazed windows with triplex. This makes the design more reliable and safer, although it costs more.
4. The glass thickness must be at least 6 mm. With a glass width of more than 2 meters, it is necessary to install special amplifiers.

The choice of glass for a panoramic window

The risks involved in using panoramic glazing can be reduced by choosing the right glass, taking into account the special technical requirements of these structures:

1. Minimum glass thickness 6 mm;
2. The thickness of the air gap between two glasses in a glass unit is not less than 12mm;
3. High transparency - glass class M1;
4. The use of low-emission and impact-resistant glasses.

You can also use high-strength double-glazed windows with ESG glass, reinforced with a glass reinforcing film (Triplex), tinted and reflective (to protect against increased solar radiation, when direct sunlight enters the room for most of the day).

A good choice are multifunctional double-glazed windows. They are resistant to damage, durable and have good light transmission.

Triplex

Tinted windows

What are the disadvantages and advantages of panoramic windows?

Panoramic windows in a private house or apartment are a very attractive solution, they visually expand the space and look exquisite in the interior. At the same time, they have many potential downsides that can be offset with the right approach.

Defects

1. Replacing ordinary windows with panoramic windows in an apartment building requires the prior approval of the regulatory authorities. It is necessary to pre-approve the renovation project, which is quite difficult when installing windows in load-bearing walls.
2. The high cost of construction, installation and operation.
3. It is quite difficult to wash a panoramic window yourself, especially if it has blind sashes. This is especially true for residents of high-rise buildings. You can use telescopic cleaning brushes for this, but this is not always a solution to the situation. In many cases, you will need to use the services of professional window cleaners or industrial climbers.
4. In the cold season, a panoramic window needs additional heating: the warmest glass has a higher heat loss than the main wall. In the hot season, on the other hand, there is constant air conditioning: double-glazed windows let up to 95% of the sun's rays through, which warms the room air considerably during the day. This will undoubtedly increase operating costs.
5. Low noise insulation compared to traditional windows.
6. Possible mental health problems. A possible invasion of privacy embarrasses people: not everyone likes to live "in full view". Someone may feel uncomfortable in an open space, someone is simply afraid of heights.

Advantages

1. Modern and representative exterior with a beautiful panoramic landscape. Such an architectural solution can decorate not only a high-rise city building, but also a country house.
2. Maximum conservation of natural light (sunlight), saving on electric lighting. Natural sunlight has a beneficial effect on the human body, inviting you with a good mood and not tiring your eyesight. This design is especially relevant if the room does not face the sunny side of the house.
3. A panoramic window in the office creates business spirit and draws the attention of customers and business partners to your status.
4. Panoramic windows decorate the interior and go well with modern high-tech and loft styles, but also with neoclassical and French styles.
5. Good thermal and acoustic insulation properties, especially when choosing multi-chamber glazing and high-end profiles of well-known brands.

How do I deal with condensation on large windows?

One of the significant problems that owners of picture windows can face is the accumulation of condensation. It is caused by the difference between the outside and inside temperature.

You can fight this scourge in several ways:

1. Installation of special floor convectors along the windows and room air conditioners.
2. Installation of warm baseboards. It takes up little space, is economical and can compensate for the heat loss that occurs. There are electric models that can be turned on and off as needed.
3. Warm floor. Ensures even heating of the room, which prevents condensation.
4. Good supply and exhaust air.
5. Installation of insulating glass units with heat-repellent coating.

Curtains for large windows

Panoramic windows are open windows. Initially, the presence of curtains was not foreseen, but reality makes its own adjustments.

The first rule when choosing curtains: you should not distract your attention from the window. Complex sophisticated curtains with lambrequins and curtains will not work. Choose simple, uncluttered curtains. If blackout curtains are not required, give preference to light organza curtains.

It is often recommended to install fabric blinds or Chinese curtains. They are only practical if the window frame is blind. If you want to open the window for airing, then such curtains will make an unpleasant sound at this time.

If you opt for a tinted glass unit or with a reflective coating, you can do without curtains altogether. An absolute novelty is a double-glazed unit with a special coating that allows you to adjust the darkening of the glass via the remote control.

What determines the price of panoramic windows?

Their cost is quite high and depends not only on size. It is impossible to calculate the exact cost of manufacture and installation without specifying all the nuances. There are a number of factors to consider:

1. glazing area;
2. equipment and profile material;
3. profile type and color, its class, brand (REHAU with guaranteed quality or Chinese equivalent);
4. the number of chambers in the glass unit and the type of glass;
5. quality of fittings and window seals;
6. the type of doors and the way of opening;
7. design and complexity of installing panoramic windows;
8. the need to put on special equipment.

You can find an online calculator for a rough estimate on reputable company websites. The exact calculation is carried out by those responsible at the plumbing company after inspecting the property, taking measurements, clarifying the window construction and the required performance characteristics.

Panoramic windows are an excellent modern architectural solution for an office, apartment or private house if they are properly planned, made of quality materials and correctly installed, observing all safety standards. It is an expensive and stylish solution that combines beauty, comfort and the latest technology.