Panoramic windows in the apartment are a symbol of wealth of the owners. Such a window can turn even a small living space into a luxurious apartment, but only with the right approach.
Panoramic windows are called windows that occupy most of the wall or protrude outward with a bay window.. However, making such a window is not so easy, because in addition to the design and technical aspects, there is also the legal side of the issue.
Panoramic windows appeared in southern part of France, in Provence. Then they began to gain popularity throughout France. In the central part of the country, such windows were placed in rooms overlooking the garden or patio. In regions where agriculture and industry were developed at a high level, such windows were almost never found.
The main idea of panoramic windows - feel close connection with nature while indoors, and let as much light into the room as possible. But to solve both problems in this case is not easy. Not every apartment has windows overlooking something pleasing to the eye. Floor on which the housing is located, also has the meaning.
Even if your accommodation meets all the requirements, it is not certain that the change of seasons or new buildings will allow you to constantly observe a pleasant landscape.
The opposite situation may also happen, when in front of your house, instead of the current old buildings, it is soon planned smash beautiful garden . In this case, it would be advisable to put such a window in advance, because after that the price for it can rise sharply.
Lighting and layout of the apartment
Worth paying attention to finishing materials in the apartment. They must reflect light. For example, in winter, with sufficient lighting from a panoramic window, light hits the ceiling. If the finishing material does not have a reflective effect, the apartment is in danger of becoming gloomy dwelling. To determine the level of light in the room at different times of the year, you can turn to professionals.
Technically, the installation of a panoramic window is a redevelopment of the apartment, for which permission must be obtained. To do this, it is necessary to go through many instances in advance, giving permission to install such a window. If one of them fails, it is impossible to install a panoramic window.
The simplest solution might be balcony glazing. It is good if the balcony is insulated and connected to the bedroom. But if not, then with the help of glazing you can create cozy place to relax.
If you still have a desire combine a balcony with a room, then this will require much less permits.
This solution has many advantages:
- No need to demolish the wall between the room and the balcony;
- Possibility to get additional square meters cheaply;
- Balcony or loggia can be completely glazed, getting a panorama;
- Increasing the amount of light in the apartment without the risk of creating the effect of a gloomy cave;
- The ability to design an apartment to your liking, regardless of lighting.
Difficulties in installing panoramic windows depending on the type of house
If the apartment has a loggia, it will not be difficult to attach it to the living room, since it the parapet is not a load-bearing structure. A concrete box will serve as an excellent base for a French window. Getting permission to re-equip the loggia and demolish the parapet is quite simple.
However, the installation of a panoramic window in an apartment without a balcony and a loggia is associated with many difficulties.
For example, installing a panoramic window in the old house practically impossible. Either the old building will go soon for demolition, or the place is cultural value, and installing a panoramic window can spoil the view of the building.
From a technical point of view, it is still more difficult. There is a risk that the wall of the house simply cannot withstand panorama window weight.
When With brick house the situation is a bit more technical. If the walls of the house thicker than 51cm, install french window really, reinforcing the expanded opening with beds.
The owner of an apartment in a panel house has a 50/50 chance of installing a panoramic window. Panoramic windows cannot be installed in Khrushchev and Brezhnevka houses due to their dilapidation.
In which houses can panoramic windows be installed?
First of all, this buildings in the late 90s. Construction technologies at that time have undergone significant improvements, due to which panel houses act as monoliths. In case of destruction of 75% of the house, the remaining 25% of the house retain strength.
Most modern high-rise buildings initially involves the installation of panoramic windows. So it will not be difficult for the owner of an apartment in such a house to install a panoramic window. By contacting the manager of the house, you can get already finished project window, which will need to be approved by the appropriate authorities.
When designing a panoramic window, there are many factors to consider. First of all, you should not break the whole window into many squares, which can increase the weight of the structure.
It is important to consider that a large window will carry heavy load inside and outside. In the first case, it may be careless drunk guest, and in the second natural elements. The design must be reliable, durable and expensive.
Install panoramic windows on your own it is forbidden. Firstly, it is dangerous, and secondly, it is very difficult.
You can only do it yourself looking for window accessories:
- Window panels (modified wood or PVC with metal parts). The former will be better, but also much more expensive;
- Powerful frames for harsh climates;
- 2-3 chamber double-glazed windows with tempered glass from 6 mm thick for low ceilings (up to 2.8 m), and 8 mm thick for higher ceilings;
- Thick steel anchor plates (4 mm).
Must be purchased additional window fixings with the calculation of 1 by 0.5 meters. For folding and swing sections on upper floors must be purchased protective bar or frame from 1 m high.
Heating Features
Our climate cannot be called warm. It must be understood that a large window will give off more room heat in winter and receive more solar heat in summer. So you should consider the climate control system in the room even before the start of installation work.
For temperate-warm climate a window with 3 panes and 8 mm thick framed glass for harsh climates will suffice, so as not to connect additional heating. If the property is located north of the 52nd parallel think about installing underfloor heating or equip powerful autonomous heating system.
The best solution might be heat reflective glass. However, such windows will have to be replaced after 5-7 years due to wear of the coating. It is not known which will cost less. In the context of constantly improving technologies, the second option looks like less expensive.
As for curtains and curtains for panoramic windows, the most economical option may be organza curtain. You can also use japanese shoji sliding screens. They can be easily made by yourself if desired.
As we can see, there are many difficulties with installing panoramic windows, but in some cases such a possibility exists. However, it is better to entrust this work to professionals doing turnkey repairs..
HideIf you are a romantic person, love space, light, or are a fan of modern styles in the interior, then, of course, panoramic glazing will suit your home. Modern materials allow you to build such a structure quite quickly, while it will be quite functional and safe.
Panoramic glazing - what is it?
Traditionally under panoramic windows understand the windows in the entire wall. Moreover, there can be two, three such walls in your house, and, as the experience of modern architects shows, even four. Actually, this is a kind of translucent facade, because such a window is also a building envelope.
Often, under panoramic glazing they mean big windows, from floor to ceiling. Panoramic glazing can be made in various ways: from a plastic, aluminum profile, or without a profile at all - frameless glazing
In large cities, more and more high-rise buildings are being built today using this type of glazing, but such apartments with panoramic windows are, of course, quite expensive:
- firstly, the very glazing of a large area and a special heating system lead to an increase in the cost of living space
- secondly, it is customary to make panoramic windows only in apartments with an area of 200 sq. m, otherwise continuous glazing does not look
- and finally, from the panoramic windows of new buildings, very beautiful views per city, which is also a cost factor
So an apartment with panoramic windows turns out to be somewhat more expensive than the same area with traditional windows.
But if you haven’t earned your first million dollars yet, and you want to let space into your house, consider less expensive options.
Panoramic windows in the apartment: glazing of the balcony and loggia
An option for a purely urban dweller is panoramic glazing of balconies or loggias. Photos of such structures can be found in abundance on the Internet. But, choosing one or another option, consider a few important points.
First, decide whether you want to attach the loggia to the room or leave everything as it is. In the second case, cold glazing (single-chamber double-glazed window and aluminum profile) is also suitable for you. But if you are expanding the living space due to a loggia or balcony, then you only need to use a warm profile and multi-chamber double-glazed windows. In both cases, the use of E-glass or K-glass will be justified in order to increase safety.
Decide what is more important to you - heat, light, sound insulation or safety. Based on these priorities, the contractor's specialists will select the appropriate materials for panoramic glazing of loggias.
If you are not ready for everything that happens behind the glass wall to become the property of the neighbors, you can, for example, order the glazing of the lower row with double-glazed windows with reflective film or tinting.
Also, keep in mind that no double-glazed window will protect you from the winter cold like a traditional wall. Therefore, be sure to consider additional heating such as an electric convector. This will also protect you from condensation, because living in a room where water constantly flows along one of the walls, you see, is uncomfortable.
Panoramic glazing for balconies, which does not provide for redevelopment, of course, does not require such a serious approach, but it can become a real decoration of your apartment.
Panoramic glazing of windows of houses and cottages
If you are the owner of a small, but your own house, and in addition to glazing the balcony, you may decide to order a full-wall panoramic window. It will visually expand small rooms and make them bright. Such a glass facade of a private house looks great and will compare favorably with neighboring houses.
If you are planning to build country house, ask the designers in advance to provide panoramic glazing, and you will not have problems with the strength of the building and its heating. If you are planning to rebuild an already finished cottage, carefully examine whether the wall that you are going to replace with panoramic glazing is a load-bearing structure.
If you are planning to glaze an entire wall of your house, you need to use the technology with which you can realize an unusual architectural design.
If you need to glaze only part of the wall of the house, for example, the entrance group, go to realize a panoramic attic, or a veranda, you should familiarize yourself with the material on stained glass glazing - From the article you will learn about the advantages of this system, and places to use it
Soon, we will publish a separate article on this topic. You can subscribe to updates of our site so as not to miss anything interesting!
What often do not think about when buying panoramic windows?
The advantages of panoramic glazing of windows are obvious:
- in such a room it is always light, regardless of which side the windows face
- visually the room looks much larger
- scope for creativity, which is provided to the interior designer, a huge
But some of the shortcomings (or rather limitations) should be discussed in more detail.
To prevent frost on the glass, you can install a floor slot convector
Panoramic windows in winter, just like the usual one, can be for a long time be covered with frost. Therefore, if you are not in the mood to contemplate frosty patterns for months, you will need to install special slotted floor convectors. And you may have to provide additional panel radiators on the walls adjacent to the window.
The issue of security also comes to the fore. A glass wall will be more reliable if laminated, reinforced or tempered glass is used for its construction. You can order a coating of a special metallized film: it will not only strengthen the glass, but also protect you from certain types of electronic tracking devices (the so-called bugs).
Well, a few words about cleanliness. Glasses three meters high, and even located at a height of a couple of dozen floors, you can’t wipe with a rag. Such works are carried out by specialized firms using special equipment and technologies of industrial mountaineering. And this pleasure is expensive.
Prices for panoramic windows
Not the last role is played by the price of panoramic glazing . It can end up being 2-3 times higher than the cost, for example, metal-plastic structures. And it’s not worth fighting for cheaper here: you can’t do without the use of high-strength profiles and special glasses. Plus, the manufacture and delivery of large-sized structures will cost more than traditional-sized windows.
Legal nuances: how to legalize a panoramic window?
Theoretically, you can build a panoramic window in your apartment on your own, even if this is not provided for by the project - such examples can sometimes be seen, including in panel houses. The wall under the window opening (the so-called influx) is cut off, the balcony grille is changed to an absolutely transparent or purely decorative one, and the heating radiator is transferred to the adjacent wall. But such options are only good for television shows about repairs.
How legitimize panoramic glazing, you can read in our other article!
In life, such redevelopment can be legalized only if you attach a loggia to the apartment. And if you decide to make a French balcony or a panoramic window overlooking the street, such an alteration will not become officially legal under current legislation. Even if you did not cause any damage to the structures of the house. It's just that the result is a stylish, original, but illiquid property. After all, without legitimizing the redevelopment, you cannot sell the apartment.
Summing up
If you are planning to buy an apartment with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, think about whether you are ready to look at the huge city landscape from the height of the nth floor all the time, pay for the cleanliness of huge glass and maintain an ideal style in the interior.
If you want panoramic glazing at home with a view of the forest, take care of a carefully calculated project and additional heating.
And if your plans include panoramic glazing of a loggia or balcony, consult a lawyer and discuss all the nuances of the design and selection of materials with specialists from a specialized company.
Perhaps, everyone who wants to buy an elite apartment is considering the option with panoramic windows.
Artists and photographers are especially eager to buy an apartment with panoramic windows - people whose profession is to work with light in its natural manifestation. The most beautiful panorama through the glass from the floor to the ceiling, rooms flooded with sunlight at dawn and sunset. It looks especially impressive on the last floors of residential complexes. Panoramic windows are an integral part of lofts and penthouses.
Experts from note that most clients who are interested require the presence good looking from the window. They are not even afraid of the fact that an apartment with a panoramic view costs almost one and a half times more expensive than an apartment of a similar area and level, in the same residential complex, but without panoramic windows. Often, the developer also calls such glazing "French", since this design method has come window openings to Russia from sunny France. On the Riviera and throughout the Mediterranean, such a type of real estate as a house or apartment with panoramic windows is very common. Such glazing is common in the maritime south of Europe, including due to the fact that the average temperature there rarely drops below zero degrees. And even in winter, large windows let a lot of light into the room. However, the harsh Russian climate makes its own adjustments. And here the first minus is found. Those who wish to buy an apartment with panoramic windows in Moscow and, especially, outside it, should be prepared for the fact that the heat from their home will leave twice as fast. The fact is that glass, especially if the double-glazed window is of poor quality, has a low heat capacity. Therefore, heating such a room, even if it is a luxury apartment equipped with a fireplace and modern radiators, will have to be twice as strong. Here you have to choose what is more expensive for the owner: aesthetics or means for heating?
The second obvious disadvantage, which is often forgotten by clients of the luxury real estate agency Vremena Goda, who want a good view, is safety. Such glass walls expose the entire personal life of the owners of the apartment and can become a small obstacle to thieves entering the home. However, it is easy to deal with this disadvantage. It is enough to install shock-resistant tempered glass. Often a luxury apartment is already equipped with such, but before buying it would not be out of place to ask the developer about the strength characteristics of the glass. Tempered glasses are exposed to extremely high temperatures during the production process and are treated with chemically active special compositions. However, even with such glass, an apartment with large, full-length panoramic windows needs additional signaling.
Also, one should not forget about such a nuance as window care. But as a rule, an apartment in a luxury residential complex is under the supervision of the building management, and window cleaning from the outside is included in the list of mandatory maintenance services for the residential complex.
And yet, such minor and fairly easily eliminated disadvantages cannot overshadow the aesthetic appeal of floor-to-ceiling windows. Especially if they are installed in an apartment on last floor skyscrapers. A bird's-eye view of the city from your own window in the morning - just to feel this range of emotions, you should buy a panoramic apartment in the capital.
panoramic windows. Panoramic windows are large windows that completely occupy the spatial area from the ceiling to the floor surface.
Panoramic glazing is steadily gaining popularity, growing year by year. This variant of glazing effectively and almost instantly transforms the appearance of the facade, contributes to the penetration of the maximum amount of sunlight and natural set, "unloads", and also visually expands the interior space of the premises. However, the design features of a large window determine the specific requirements for the installation installation and subsequent operation. What are these requirements, what are the nuances and what you need to know about the competent installation of panoramic window structures in a private house or apartment, we will consider in detail below.
Panoramic windows, panoramic glazing - what is this innovation?
Panoramic windows are large windows that completely occupy the spatial area from the ceiling to the floor surface. Simply put, such structures are a glass facade (as a rule) wall in an apartment or house. The large glazing area created contributes to the creation of a spacious and maximally bright room. Although, for the same reason, large windows are subject to vulnerability, greater possibility of cold penetration into the room and increased noise penetration. These features qualitatively distinguish large-glass structures from classic double-glazed windows.
Proper installation and competent operation can minimize the disadvantages of panoramic windows. You can get effective sound and heat insulation, therefore, without proper experience and relevant knowledge, this work must be entrusted to professionals from specialized companies.
Attention! If you plan to install panoramic windows for round-the-clock admiring panoramic views, then you need to take into account the “reverse effect” - all passers-by will be able to see any actions and movements inside the house, including personal nightly ups and downs!
This can not be attributed to fatal shortcomings, many even like this posing. However, the whole situation will be visible in detail, which can attract intruder thieves, so you need to take care of the simultaneous installation of a reliable security system.
Advice! Glass with a reverse mirror reflection or high-quality tinting will help to effectively hide from street observers!
Advantages of panoramic glazing
The main advantages of large glass windows include:
- If there are doubts about the strength of glass and there are fears that any bully can freely break it with a pebble, then this is not so. Glass structures with large areas are made exclusively from tempered high-strength glass with special coatings from high strength films.
- When a structure is made with opening parts, an appropriate alarm is installed on it.
- Reliably protects the panoramic window from various noise, even if the house or apartment is located near highways, children's complexes, tram lines, etc. Extraneous sounds will not interfere and disturb.
- When the windows are oriented to the sunny side, a lot of heat and natural light enters through it. Good illumination is a great advantage, but thermal permeability in hot summer can cause inconvenience - stuffiness, plant death, deformation finishing materials etc. Therefore, it is necessary to provide blinds or curtains made of dense matter in advance.
Disadvantages of panoramic windows
- You should immediately take into account that if all-sheet panoramic glass is installed, it will require adequate care, and it is not easy to wash such a structure. This will require special wide tools covering a large area. Of particular difficulty will be washing on a high floor, for which it is better to hire high-altitude washers with special knowledge and appropriate equipment.
- In winter, condensate frost will necessarily form regularly, which must be cleaned off often. The micro-ventilation system built into the window will help to avoid it.
- The most significant disadvantage is the receipt of many bureaucratic permits-approvals in various departments for the installation of panoramic windows. This is understandable, since a large area of glass will replace a certain part bearing wall. Because of this, some general load redevelopment of the entire building will be required.
- Of course, large special glasses, their installation and maintenance require large financial investments and operating costs.
Varieties of panoramic glazing
Panoramic glasses are made according to different component recipes, which determines the existence of several of their types. So, allocate:
- cold glazing - the profile part for glass is made of metal, and sometimes the frame frame is completely absent. Here, there is no need to talk about sufficient thermal insulation, but there is an advantage - the material and installation will cost significantly less. Cold glazing is used on balconies, loggias and verandas;
- warm glazing - as is clear from the designation, there is high level thermal insulation, allowing such a window to replace a well-insulated wall. In this case, the profiles are made of wood or plastic. Such panoramic windows are often found in shops, private houses, offices and apartments. At the request of the customer and the required level of thermal insulation, it is possible to make a double-glazed window with any number of chambers.
Features of different glazing options
Consider the most common and popular types of glazing with a detailed analysis of their distinctive features.
1. Frameless glazing
Windows created using this technique have an incredibly original appearance. They give the facade and the room a certain airiness and lightness. Double-glazed windows are made of tempered high-strength glass with a sheet thickness of 6.5 to 10.0 mm. The height parameter of the product can sometimes reach 3.0 m, and according to individual projects and higher.
The holding of such large glasses without framing frames occurs due to a special mounting technology. On the edges of the window opening, special guide metal profiles are installed, which remain outwardly invisible. They firmly hold the glass sheet. Guide elements are placed in the upper and lower parts of the surface of the window opening. All parts are attached to the wall with anchor-type bolts, and then a double-glazed window is inserted into the structure, which is fixed with seals and special glue.
Since frameless glazing can only protect from the wind, you do not need to rely on comfortable temperature conditions in winter on the balcony (loggia) - the temperature difference will be only 2.5–32 C.
Clue! If an idea arises to solve such a problem by installing energy-saving glass, then this is an absolutely inefficient and costly idea - there will be no desired heat, and the cost will increase greatly!
2. Aluminum profiles
Durable and lightweight aluminum metal can be used for both cold and warm types of panoramic glazing. The main difference is in the number of double-glazed windows installed. So, with cold glazing, single-chamber glass is installed in the profile, and with warm glazing, two- or three-chamber glass is inserted.
Main advantage aluminum frames lies in their lightness. This property is useful for fragile balcony slabs that are unable to withstand significant loads. Also, aluminum is very resistant to heat and is not subject to destructive corrosion at all. The profile of it practically does not require maintenance, and if necessary, the surface of the material can be painted with any paint. The aluminum structure, if desired, can be built tilt-and-turn or sliding, which will significantly save space in limited areas (balconies, loggias).
The disadvantages include the fact of the high cost of the aluminum profile and the worse heat-saving properties, in comparison with wooden or plastic counterparts.
Take into account! When the emphasis is on warmth and the strength parameter of the walls, loggia or balcony allows, it is worth giving preference to more “heavy” glazing options!
3. Metal-plastic glazing
Like aluminum, plastic profiles are characterized by accuracy and lightness. They are undemanding to special care; they are equipped with mosquito nets. But, there is significant disadvantage – plastic material deformed at low and high temperatures- cold (frost from -8 C) narrows it, and heat (from +32 C) expands it. Because of this, the dimensional parameters of the panoramic window are strictly limited and amount to a maximum 210.0x90.0 cm. The weight of the structure is also limited - up to 83 kg.
Synthetic plastic is not a very strong, durable material, and a window with large dimensions (from ceiling to floor) must withstand decent loads.
An important nuance! When installing large windows, it is necessary to use plastic profile, reinforced with reinforcing elements, as well as decorative supports. This will significantly strengthen the entire structure, but also increase its weight!
If you need to create an overall window, then you need to combine several segments of small sizes with the obligatory placement of expansion compensators between them, and they will reduce the viewing width.
4. Wood profiles
By analogy with the plastic version of the profiles, the dimensional parameters of wood products are limited to 280.0x80.0 cm. It is allowed to reduce the height of the profile, which allows to increase its width. What technique makes it possible to form creative design ideas for panoramic windows.
Actual! To exclude the possibility of deformation, rotting of wooden profiles or their cracking from the effects of thermal drops and wet condensate, you need to choose products from hard, coniferous wood species!
Every year, special treatment is required - impregnation of the entire surface of the profiles with special antiseptic solutions.
When the profile is made of glued material, its service life is significantly extended. This design is characterized by improved insulating properties and is almost not subject to degradation processes. These unique features have led to the high cost of such profiles. Its proper condition is easy to maintain - it is enough to renew the coating of paints and varnishes once a year.
Conclusion
Apartments and houses equipped with panoramic windows will undoubtedly cause genuine admiration both among acquaintances and all passers-by. The owner of the building can be proud of the exclusive design!
However, it is not easy to acquire such a remarkable design, and complex care for it requires great strength and some skill.
Leaving these difficulties aside, more and more people want to “stand out” beautifully and decorate their homes with extravagant floor-to-ceiling windows!
