Thanks to the development of modern technologies, there is currently a significant increase in the popularity of panoramic windows used to arrange large area apartments, as well as country houses and cottages. Panoramic glazing allows you to make a full -fledged overview of the surrounding area. Having designed window openings throughout the wall, you can make a feeling of special lightness and space into the premises, and also significantly improve lighting, literally filling the house with a natural light.
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What are panoramic windows
Glazing, which occupies most of the wall or completely from the floor to the ceiling, is called panoramic or “French”. At first, such windows were installed in the south of France, including in houses with a terrace or a veranda. Thus, a wonderful view of the windows, emphasizing the beauty of the surrounding landscape, opened before admiring guests. Soon this trend has become widely used. In the greatest extent, panoramic glazing is suitable for country houses and cottages, in addition, some residents of apartment buildings can afford such windows.
The advantages of using a large number of transparent structures for light are obvious. Among them, the following can be noted:
- panoramic windows look very stylish in the interior of the room, as well as outside;
- a significant increase in the level of daily illumination - with such glazing, the premises from dawn to sunset are literally flooded with sunlight, which is pleasant and good for health;
- the opening view from the window allows you to evaluate the surrounding landscape or city landscape;
- the feeling of free space, as well as a feeling of proximity and unity with the natural environment. In modern conditions, our opportunities to be in nature are often very limited - nevertheless, thanks to the windows to all growth, you can track the slightest changes in weather conditions through the glass walls and enjoy the view from the window without leaving the room.
Before installing panoramic windows, it is worth carefully weighing all the pros and cons, since, in addition to the above undoubted advantages, it can lead to some important moments and problems that require solutions. Panoramic glazing is widespread mainly in the southern countries - nevertheless, in our latitudes, in the presence of a much more severe climate, for a long time the average daily temperature can be several tens of degrees lower. In this case, thermal losses through the windows of a large area can be very noticeable. Even the most modern high -tech double -glazed windows can hardly compare with the usual wall. Thus, it is worth considering that to maintain a comfortable microclimate in houses with panoramic windows, it will be necessary to use 20-30% more powerful heat sources.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the following points:
- it may be necessary to take additional safety measures by setting a fence in the form of a grille with a height of at least 50-60 cm with frequent rods from below (this is especially true for families with young children). It is worth considering that it is not always allowed to install lattices on the outside on the facade of apartment buildings (so as not to spoil the overall view of the building);
- in case of non -bramberry glazing, to ventilate the room, you will need to install special valves or equip a powerful ventilation system;
- in order to avoid freezing of glass, followed by icing, you will need to provide for the heating of the windows or mount the convector blowing the glass in the cold season of the year;
- for such transparent glasses of large area, special service will be required in the form of periodic washing from dust and rain flows. It is worth considering that for these work, most likely, the presence of professional skills, as well as tangible financial investments, will be needed;
- to prevent the burning out of the decoration of furniture and walls under the influence of sunlight freely penetrating into the room, you need to provide protection against them - for this you can apply curtains, rolls or blinds, as well as tinted glass;
- in addition, it is necessary to take care of the safety of property and take measures to protect the home from the penetration of robbers through the windows, since with panoramic glazing the probability of such an unpleasant incident increases. In private houses, panoramic windows are most advisable to install in a guarded village. In addition, in order to avoid problems, it may be necessary to establish video surveillance, as well as equip alarm.
When planning the arrangement of a panoramic window, the following should be taken into account - it is required that its width exceeds half the width of the room, and the area - 10% of its total area. To choose materials for glazing the most suitable type, it is necessary to take into account various factors, including:
- the desired shape and dimensions of future window openings;
- the location of the house relative to the cardinal points;
- climatic conditions in this area - the alleged wind and snow load, the amount of precipitation;
- the weight of materials for glazing and the load on the foundation;
- general style solution of construction.
The design of an individual design of panoramic windows, calculations and installation is recommended to entrust professionals. These work is carried out by specialists of the design departments of companies that offer glazing services.
Since the large area of \u200b\u200bglazing creates a significant load on the frame, it will be necessary to make accurate calculations to arrange a panoramic window and build a strong fortified frame (while the frame should not weigh much and be too cumbersome).
For panoramic glazing, the following frames are used:
- traditional swing on hinges (rotary-oxidal) structures convenient for ventilation of the room;
- sliding - frames from durable glass -composite or aluminum profile, which are folding when it is opened with an accordion and allowing to completely open the window opening, moving the glass to the side. It should be noted that these structures do not differ in high thermal insulation;
- folding (slide) frames that open like sample wardrobe-these structures provide high-quality thermal insulation of the room, as well as the convenience of ventilation. The disadvantages of the shift frames include the rapid wear of the seals;
- with lifting and sliding fittings- these systems provide a high level of tightness, sound and thermal insulation. Such panoramic glazing frames have a fairly high cost.
In addition, for panoramic glazing, non -ramous structures are used in which glass sheets are connected using sealant. Such glazing is characterized by low thermal insulation properties, therefore, it is unlikely to suit residential premises. Basically, panoramic panoramic windows are installed on balconies, loggias or verandas.
Materials for the manufacture of panoramic windows
For the manufacture of specialized panoramic window systems,:
- various types of metal that can withstand corrosion - steel, as well as aluminum alloys with special additives to give the profile additional strength. Aluminum profile systems with inserts from reinforced polyamide are significant and slight. Such frames look very spectacular, they are widely used for the design of panoramic windows in a modern style. It is worth noting that steel profile systems are characterized by a fairly high cost. In addition, metal structures are cold to the touch;
- wood of solid wood processed with special antiseptic compounds to protect against insects, as well as from damage and deformation under the influence of atmospheric precipitation. For specialized structures, as a rule, a three -layer glued beam is used. It is worth noting that for panoramic glazing, it is necessary to use a wooden frame with a thickness of at least 78 mm;
- PVC (plastic) - these designs reinforced with hollow metal tabs several millimeters thick are the most economical and quite durable;
- combined structures consisting of wood in combination with aluminum overlays, serving as protection against adverse atmospheric influences;
- glass -composite is a modern durable material that is not inferior to natural wood in its heat -insulating characteristics. Profile structures from it are a little more expensive than plastic ones, in addition, they cannot be used for arched windows.
For the design of panoramic windows, tempered glass is used, which passes special processing for hardening, as well as with a special coating or reinforcing film, reflective and tinted for protection from the sun, laminated (triplex) and energy -saving (in order to minimize heat losses, panoramic windows equip one - or two -chamber double -glazed windows filled with inert gas).
Panoramic windows design
If you are interested in the possibility of installing panoramic windows, it is recommended to take into account that such glazing is most appropriate in the places where it is planned by the project - in modern new buildings, private houses, apartments with a significant area. In such cases, panoramic windows harmoniously fit into the overall architectural style of the building and look quite harmonious on the facade of the building.
Through the window in the entire wall, it is convenient to contemplate the continuously changing picture outside the window. The transparent glass wall in any interior looks very stylish, expanding the closed space and literally attracting his eyes. Such a window may well become the central detail of the interior of the room. As a rule, glazing most of the walls of the walls is chosen by purposeful people who seek to emphasize their housing belonging to the elite group. Having designed it in this way, through the panoramic windows of the city penthouse, it will be possible to survey the detailed panorama of the city, in a country house - to admire the peaceful landscape.
Popular options for panoramic glazing
There are various ways of panoramic glazing - for example, in this way you can glaze the entrance group of the house, loggia, part of the wall or all of it, from the floor or starting from a height of about 50 cm from it, in bloomers or on flat walls. The panoramic glazing of the attic can be a very original solution.
The most popular are the following methods for designing panoramic windows:
- in spacious rooms, panoramic windows can occupy one or more walls to the full height. Often, such glazing is combined with the door to the courtyard, to the terrace or the veranda. If the ceiling floors between the floors are not provided, a room with high ceilings is formed, including the staircase to the second floor - at the same time, large -format glazing will help to get the maximum light. It is worth considering that in order to avoid heat loss in such cases, it will be necessary to provide significant heating costs;
- sometimes a panoramic window is equipped near a recreation area or a dining area - in this case, a beautiful landscape outside the window will help to fully relax. In addition, thanks to natural lighting, it will be possible to do without additional illumination during a not too late dinner;
- in bay windows, as well as on flat walls, panoramic windows are installed at an altitude of 40-50 cm from the floor. In such cases, if you decorate the window opening, the view from the window will resemble the picture in the frame. In a small room next to it, it will be possible to equip comfortable shelves, cabinets, as well as a couch. If you install a panoramic window in a height of about 80 cm in the kitchen, then tables and cabinets of the working kitchen area, or a sofa, will conveniently place under it. In this case, furniture near the window will not be visible from the street;
- the opening of the panoramic window can also be made raised to a significant height. Narrow (tape) horizontal or vertical window openings will organize a panoramic review in the room due to a relatively small area of \u200b\u200bglazing. This technique can be used, inter alia, in rooms tightly made by furniture - for example, in the kitchen, or deaf panoramic windows can be placed in any zone (including over suspended cabinets or under them). Several vertical windows located a number of vertical windows can be installed as a replacement for a large panoramic window;
- panoramic false windows are sometimes installed if the surrounding area does not differ in a beautiful landscape. In such cases, they are equipped in the form of lighting panels on which canvases with applied drawings are fixed in the form of landscapes that simulate the view from the window;
- with the help of angular panoramic glazing with window openings located at any height of the floor, it is not difficult to create a sense of special spaciousness in the room. The windows can be located immediately from the floor or at some height.
Depending on the specific goals, in one room you can combine various glazing structures, combining various forms of the wings, including original (polygonal, arched, etc.), transparent, tinted and false windows. In this way, it is possible to regulate the illumination of the specific zones of the room and, if necessary, ensure the privacy of individual corners of the room during a review from the outside.