A beautiful and unusual home is a dream that many strive for. One option to make your home different from others is to use panoramic glazing. A house with panoramic windows looks different. Even if it is simple in architecture, it is unusual, and if there are also unusual details, it is clearly out of the ordinary.

What is panoramic glazing

Panoramic windows are those that occupy a large area and, as a rule, occupy the entire space from floor to ceiling in height. This type glazing requires accurate calculation and well-thought-out design solution. Large windows mean a large window flight, which means you need a powerful beam that will serve as support for the roof and walls of the second or third floor (if there are any).

Standard solutions when designing houses with large windows are practically inapplicable, since each case is unique and requires its own solution. Every house with panoramic glazing is individual project, and it costs a lot of money.

If it is not possible to order an individual project, you may be able to find a ready-made one that generally suits you. It is better to use it entirely, without major changes. Only adjustments can be made where the supporting structure is not affected. You can only change the position of non-load-bearing partitions. It is not advisable to even touch the position of doors and windows in load-bearing structures without recalculation - the aftereffects can be unpredictable.

Features, advantages and disadvantages

A house with panoramic glazing looks unusual and stylish. And this is exactly what attracts people in such buildings. So a memorable appearance is the first of its advantages.

Where can you see

In private houses, panoramic glazing is installed in living rooms, less often in bedrooms. Sometimes this way open veranda turned into a covered one, sometimes - made from a room winter Garden. Another possible application is to make one of the walls of the pool glass. In general, there are many applications and they are non-standard and interesting.

Balcony with panoramic glazing - residents of high-rise buildings are provided with an excellent view

In apartment buildings, balconies or loggias are decorated with panoramic windows. It is much less common to find large windows in residential areas in high-rise buildings, but such houses do exist. True, in our country it is extremely rare.

Advantages and disadvantages

If you are thinking that it would be nice to have panoramic glazing in your home, consider the following features:

In general, there are both advantages and disadvantages of panoramic glazing in the house. When planning to build a house with panoramic windows, take into account such an important factor as the picturesque landscape of the view. If this is a neighbor’s fence, the cost of panoramic glazing is unlikely to be justified...

House with panoramic windows: features

There are also some features that cannot be classified as either advantages or disadvantages. Firstly, glass in panoramic windows can be with or without imposts (beams). Solid glass from floor to ceiling looks stylish, but is expensive, as increased demands are placed on it.

Divided windows look different, but no worse. The cost of such panoramic glazing is lower, but the division into parts by imposts must also be supported by the remaining windows (of normal size). It's worth remembering.

When planning a site, a house with panoramic windows in our latitudes is recommended to be positioned so that a large glass area faces south with an accuracy of ±30°. In this case, the adjacent room will be light and warm. But there is another disadvantage - the walls, floors, and furniture will fade. One way out is to choose colors where the color loss is not so noticeable. The second way out is to turn the house around so that the panoramic windows face east or west. This is an acceptable position in which there is enough light, and it does not pour into the windows all day long. In general, it's up to you.

In order to winter time there was no cold coming from the windows; heating devices are placed under them, which create a thermal curtain. You cannot install traditional radiators here, but you can install built-in (in-floor) radiators or convectors. They can be electric or part of a water heating system, but their installation is complicated, and their price is considerable.

Types of panoramic windows

Panoramic windows come in two types: cold and warm. Cold glazing is used on unheated balconies, loggias, and terraces. They are framed or frameless. Frameless ones are simply thick glasses of a certain size that fit tightly one to the other. Panoramic glazing with frames is what we are used to. A wooden or plastic frame into which glass is inserted. But cold glazing is rarely installed; much more often they use windows that can protect against cold and heat.

Most often today, plastic or metal-plastic windows are installed. Depending on the climate, you can select the required number of cameras, the type of glass (tinted, mirror-coated, energy-saving, reinforced and even armored). As a result, with proper installation, you can get windows that, in terms of their thermal characteristics, are no worse than the adjacent walls.

A house with panoramic windows can have windows with different types of opening:

Using doors of various opening methods, you can achieve the functionality that you need. Wooden houses with panoramic windows are rare. The fact is that wood constantly changes size and ordinary windows are placed in special casing boxes that compensate for this movement. If the window area is very large, this may be problematic. If a solution has been found, you can install wooden or plastic windows. And so that white plastic does not look alien, they install frames laminated with a film that imitates wood.

Projects of houses with panoramic glazing

It’s worth saying right away that the cost of building such a house, at least, will not be cheaper. This impression is due to the large area occupied by the windows. But there must be windows good quality, and this is not cheap.

Panoramic windows in houses are often made in the bay window. This decorative extension itself gives the house unusual look, and in combination with large windows, the building acquires individual features.

A house with panoramic windows may have a flat roof. Such buildings are built in modern style, high-tech, minimalism and others with laconic architecture. They have a memorable appearance. They are distinguished by the presence of broken lines, the absence of smooth and rounded ones. And floor-to-ceiling windows only emphasize this feature.

Panoramic windows on two floors - interesting option The roof is flat, but not level. This happens too

Recently, attention has been drawn to the growing number of private buildings with panoramic windows. Literally “yesterday” our compatriots preferred to erect thick protective structures in front of their houses, but today we have a high regard for rooms penetrated by the sun from the ceiling to the back wall. If you have not yet joined the ranks of fans of huge windows, but are thinking about installing them, then I consider it my duty to tell you more about them technical features and functionality.

Panoramic windows in a cottage or apartment

The panoramic windows that are gaining popularity today came to us from France.

Advantages and disadvantages

In most cases, the width of panoramic windows is much greater than the height. Through them, a lot of light enters the room, and the landscape surrounding the building is clearly visible from any corner of the room.

The flow of significant amounts of light into the room is very beneficial during the cold season, even if the region where you live is not particularly harsh.

What can we say about houses in an area with a harsh climate, where every ray of light penetrating into the room is valuable.

What does a panoramic window give to a room:

• its interior has a special charm;
• it is well lit during daylight hours;
• protection from external noise;
• The transparent design is deceptively fragile - such windows are resistant to mechanical stress.

For panoramic windows, special glass with a film coating is used. If the integrity of the surface is damaged, the glass does not crumble into thousands of fragments, but is retained on the film. The movable window segments are equipped with an alarm system to prevent unauthorized entry.

Disadvantages of panoramic glazing

The first disadvantage of a panoramic window is a violation of intimacy, or privacy, the atmosphere of the room - everything that happens in it is visible to others. This inconvenience is especially noticeable when the room is located on the lower floors multi-story building or in a private home. Tinting the glass or lighting it at a certain angle will help correct the defect.

The second disadvantage of a panoramic window is its cost., which is almost impossible to reduce - both glass of this size and consumable building materials that ensure the stability of the entire structure are expensive.

Streams of light in the summer season can greatly warm up the room and even affect the intensity of the color of the environment.

In the absence of moving segments in the design, it is very difficult to achieve glass transparency.

During the cold season, a lot of heat will escape through the surface of the window., and condensation will appear on the glass itself if you do not install an additional heating system in the room.

Are you afraid of the shortcomings of panoramic windows? Still want an incredible transformation of a room due to the transparency of one of its walls, and don’t you feel sorry for the money for such an investment? I agree: if the window installation is carried out wisely, then it will please you, not upset you.

Bay window in a panoramic design: what is it and its purpose

A bay window is a protruding wall of a room or part of it. The shape of the protrusion can be semicircular, in the form of part of a rectangle or polyhedron.

Types of panoramic windows

Panoramic designs for private houses are divided into:

• ordinary;
• garden;
• corner;
• in the form of a false cone.

When the panoramic windows of a house overlook beautiful views, there is no need to invent anything to increase the attractiveness of the “picture” visible in them.

Corner structures make it possible to give a new meaning to a boring interior, to increase the amount of light penetrating inside if the front facade of the building is darkened by tall or spreading trees.

If, when looking out of the window, there is absolutely nothing to admire, you can use a trick: organize a landscape for yourself using a picture printed on canvas for insertion into a frame. With a professionally made imitation gorgeous views, the “view” from the window will seem very realistic.

For an example of installing panoramic windows in a private house, see the video:

What is used for the basis of panoramic systems?

For creating load-bearing structures Manufacturers use plastic, aluminum, wood, metal, and glass expanded clay for panoramic windows.

Metal

Due to the physical properties of the base, metal profiles have a long service life, have excellent strength and heat transfer characteristics, and are excellent for reliable structures of non-standard shapes (in the form of an arch, a circle, etc.). They are also good as structures that resist unauthorized entry.

If you want to enhance your operational capabilities metal profiles, anti-corrosion treatment can be applied to them. If you want to veil the metallic sheen of structural elements, this can be easily achieved by decorative painting or stitching wooden elements. Based on the above, I recommend a metal profile for panoramic windows to anyone who has the opportunity to spend significant money on home modernization - high cost metal racks, this is one of the main disadvantages of the considered panoramic glazing option.

Wooden

Panoramic windows framed by wooden posts are very common. Because the wood trim Many people like it because of the environmental friendliness of the material and the beautiful texture of the material.

Whatever type of wood is chosen for the manufacture of profiles, it must be exposed to antifungal, fire-resistant chemical compounds, and treated with substances that protect against loss of color and physical deformation.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a soft metal, but when combined with special components, structures made from it become hard, while maintaining the lightness typical of this material. Panoramic structures with aluminum posts are lighter than wooden ones and transmit more light than the latter. External features materials look most advantageous in frames for buildings in a modern style with unusual architectural solutions.

Advantages and disadvantages of panoramic windows

Panoramic windows are very popular today due to many factors. Such glazing will add special chic and spaciousness to even a small room and make it much brighter. However, you will have to come to terms with a number of disadvantages.

One of the first is the fact that such windows are real gates for room heat, which will quickly leave it through the glass during the cold season. In the homeland of origin of windows - in France - this is not a big problem, since the most severe “frost” there is +7 degrees. This must be taken into account when planning to make part of the walls of an apartment or room in the house transparent.

All the beauty of panoramic windows appears if they were originally planned in the building.

Even a well-made design can cause dissonance in the observer if the presence of such a window is not in harmony with the architectural ensemble as a whole. Everything is even more sad in the case of inserting a transparent “wall” in place of a specially removed concrete one in multi-storey building– such decisions are dangerous for the integrity of the entire house.

Advantages and disadvantages

If you have the opportunity to install a panoramic window in a room, don’t refuse, the room will sparkle with new colors and will always give positive emotions to every person in it.

Benefits of installing a panoramic window:

• gorgeous view, the opportunity to enjoy the landscape up to the horizon (especially valuable when the observed picture is a park, mountains, lake or something equally picturesque);
• excellent room illumination from dawn to dusk;
• if there is a lot of vegetation “overboard” or beautiful view, then being in the room, you will feel like you are relaxing in nature, but without the typical disadvantages of such a pastime - mosquitoes, debris from someone else’s picnic, etc.

But the dream of acquiring panoramic windows does not always need to be translated into real forms, since such designs have a number of disadvantages:

they will contribute to heat leakage from the room even with the most modern double-glazed windows (if you live in a region with cold winters, you will need 30% more resources to maintain normal temperature in the room);

• Even strong glass may not withstand the pressure, therefore it is necessary to limit access to them for small children (for example, by fencing the area where the glass meets the floor);
• windows will lose their attractiveness if the glass is stained, in stains of dirt, and it is quite difficult to care for such structures (especially when there is a transparent wall in the apartment not on the first floor, but above);
• It is easier for thieves to enter a house through a glass “wall”, so you need to spend a lot on security (order reliable roller shutters, perhaps install an alarm, purchase and install a visual surveillance system).

Example of panoramic windows made of aluminum profile in the video:

What do you need to remember before installing a panoramic window?

All the disadvantages of huge window-walls have not reduced the desire to decorate one of the rooms with a panoramic observation structure? Before installing a window with any type of profile, you need to remember a number of nuances.

If you like, for example, in winter to admire the gusts of a snowstorm or watch children playing, then standing or sitting next to a window will not be very comfortable. Still, glass is a cold material, which is why the room next to it will be cool, or even downright cold.

To eliminate the problem, you can turn on the convector by installing it next to the window. Some people can afford to make a window with pre-installed heating, but it is expensive both at the stage of purchasing materials and then, when activating the heating.

Maximum window safety for children can be ensured by a fence with a frequent number of bars.

Which profiles for partitions under sashes are best to choose? You won't be mistaken in thinking that wood or metal will last longer than cheap PVC panels. High-quality plastic is ahead of the materials we are used to in several directions at once. It does not conduct heat as much as metal and does not suffer from precipitation like wood.

When choosing a configuration design, I advise you to take more into account the appearance and design style of the facade, rather than the interior of the room where the panoramic window will be.

Well, in such cases you also need to remember about the quality of the panoramic landscape, if there is no desire to admire the inserted picture - the only way out of the situation when the view outside the window is too dull and repulsive.

What you need to know about the methods of swinging the sashes

Types and general characteristics:

• the most popular option is tilt-and-turn(the sash can be opened or set to light ventilation mode);
• sliding sashes many are satisfied only at first, since the seals in the frames quickly wear out and need to be replaced (but I will not keep silent about the good thermal insulation and hermetic qualities of parallel-sliding frames);
• order frames that can be folded like an accordion, costs only in warm regions - due to the poor thermal insulation qualities of this design (but residents of warm countries can provide themselves with maximum comfort this way);
• lift-and-slide mechanism it is very convenient to use, it provides a good seal, wears out the seals moderately, and does not bother you with noise while driving, but it is quite expensive.

If you plan to sometimes return the usual privacy to the atmosphere of the room, then ordinary curtains will allow you to achieve it. This must be taken into account at the project development stage in order to ensure convenient installation of the cornice on the ceiling even before installing the panoramic structure.

It is not very convenient to resort to Roman blinds or roller blinds - when the sash is opened, the frame will make a lot of noise.

In order for the costs of panoramic windows to pay off, and the result to continue to please you, before ordering a design, you need to consider the appropriateness of such an item on the facade of your house and determine the most convenient type sliding mechanisms and calculate how much it will cost to heat a modernized room in the winter season.

Large glazing: consider the pros and cons

Modern technologies make it possible to use volumetric translucent structures even in our cool region. Panoramic windows visually make buildings lighter in appearance and do not interfere with freely admiring the landscape surrounding the house from the inside and observing the sky right up to the horizon. But to some people, panoramic windows seem to be an impractical option for both a house and an apartment, since they do not look like an insurmountable obstacle to thieves and are too fragile in appearance to withstand the test of our frosts and periodic storm winds. How justified are the fears of people who avoid installing panoramic windows not because of a lack of funds for such structures, but because of distrust in their functionality?

What kind of glazing can it be?

Today, translucent structures are present in most architectural projects intended for those who want to own beautiful house with the original, but practical facade. Naturally, a significant part of the customers of such houses are attracted not so much by the opportunity to hardly use artificial lighting in a room with a panoramic window, and wide-format glazing that does not interfere with admiring the world from anywhere in the room. Being in it, you just feel united with nature even with your skin, without, in fact, taking a step towards green spaces and the open sky.

Merging with the world is felt even more in houses where, with panoramic glazing, there is no ceilings between floors. The resulting room is very spacious and well lit by sunlight from dawn to dusk. If you add a staircase of a spectacular design to such an interior, then the overall impression of such a room will be beyond all praise. I have no doubt that if you decide to arrange a living room or a winter garden in such a room, you can get such an excellent relaxation area that an hour of staying in it will have the same beneficial effect on your general condition as a trip to the spa. Of course, so extraordinary solution“will eat” more than one square meter useful area, but for some this drawback will not seem significant.

Panoramic glazing is suitable for architectural structures made of any material. But the choice of the basic basis for profiles, options for double-glazed windows and swing systems must be selected taking into account a number of factors. Among them: the location of the house, the climatic features of the region in cold and warm time year, desired glazing shape.

In addition, when developing a design for a future panoramic window, designers must take into account the loads to which the window will be subjected to significant temperature differences inside the house and outside the window, during wind, and during seasonal soil fluctuations. The finished and installed product must have excellent thermal insulation qualities, not deform under its own weight, and at the same time fit well into the overall design of the house.

To ensure that all of the above factors are taken into account when fulfilling your order for panoramic glazing, you need to look for a contractor among companies that have their own design departments.

In this case, there are more guarantees that the service, which costs a lot of money, will be provided to the highest standard at every stage of the order.

Large glazing is becoming more common on houses. But truly huge panoramic viewing structures are still rare. Because the Those who want to get a transparent wall are afraid of a number of objective and subjective factors.

About the heating system of a house with panoramic glazing, watch the video:

Costs of heating a room with panoramic glazing

Everyone knows that the most significant heat loss occurs through windows. Moreover, the lion's share of the outgoing heat “leaks” not through profile systems, but directly through the transparent elements of double-glazed windows. In relatively small windows, this problem is solved by replacing conventional glazing with multi-chamber glazing. But in a panoramic window it is impossible to use a double-glazed window air chambers, since due to the large area this option will be very difficult. Each square meter of such a design weighs 10 kg more than a single-chamber double-glazed window. Choosing a single-chamber design with low-emissivity glass will help solve the problem. Moreover, the costs of its acquisition are almost equal to the costs of a double-chamber double-glazed window made of ordinary glass, but of a large size.

Inspecting a double-glazed unit with low-emissivity glass by a person who has not previously seen this achievement of technological progress may raise a number of questions. For example, why are the thicknesses of conventional and modernized double-glazed windows different? But I want to say that there is no need to worry about this. The main thing is that the person who undertakes to draw up a diagram for an energy-saving overview design knows about this difference.

Another way to reduce the problems associated with large glazing is to choose multifunctional glass with a unique coating. The applied composition, without interfering with the penetration of light through the glass, is a good barrier to low external temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. Thanks to this, heat loss in the room is significantly reduced.

What other way can you reduce heat loss so that you don’t have to spend crazy sums to maintain a comfortable temperature in a room with large glazing?

Most best option– this is the use of a heated floor system. It is economical and helps to achieve a comfortable temperature throughout the entire area of ​​the room at once. It will also eliminate the temperature imbalance typical for two-story houses, when the upper floor of the house is warmer than the lower floor. After all, the presence of a heated floor allows you to heat the lower layer of the room’s atmosphere without additional effort, which in homes without a heated floor system is significantly cooler than the air under the ceiling.

By heating the air around the entire perimeter of the house, the warm floor will maintain comfortable conditions and near a panoramic window - if a heat source is installed nearby in the floor. Besides, 99% are like this heating system hidden in the floor, which is much more aesthetically pleasing than radiators or convectors placed near the walls.

Of course, laying a heated floor system also requires a professional approach both during the calculation process and during the actual installation of the component elements. And it would not be superfluous to provide the possibility of enhanced heating of the area passing near the transparent wall. Then, when the system is activated, a powerful thermal curtain will be formed near the window and the cold from the window will have no chance of penetrating deep into the room.

As an additional option that allows you to save on heating without sacrificing the comfort of people in the house, you can use units for forced ventilation recuperator. Thanks to it, the cold masses rushing into the house will warm up and become less cold due to the waste heat “oozing” from the house.

Are there great dangers from large windows?

Any window in the house should be safe for every inhabitant of the home.

Of course, the fragility of the glass in a double-glazed window is different from that of an elegant vase, but careful handling will not hurt either when in contact with the dishes or when using the viewing structure.

To prevent the possibility of injury from shrapnel, you need to choose double-glazed windows with a film glued to the glass. Then, even in the event of deformation due to an impact or other factor, the glass will remain hanging in the opening and will not fly apart into myriads of pieces dangerous to human health.

Triplex windows are also safe for people. Such glass also does not break into many fragments upon impact - all individual particles remain hanging on a sheet of transparent film.

If triplex cannot be installed for some reason, then You can use tempered glass, which is very difficult to break.

How can the owner of a house with panoramic glazing protect himself from intruders who trade in robberies? Tempered glass will withstand attempts to break it with a stick, but will not withstand the impact of a bullet from a TT. But the latter will be powerless in front of a barrier made of armored glass. Taking into account these factors, as well as the capabilities of locking fittings, you can calculate what type of double-glazed windows would be desirable to install on the first floor, and which would be quite appropriate on the second or higher. Of course, for a heavily armed gang of seasoned criminals, all such obstacles are nothing, but while the obstacles prevent thieves from entering the house, its owner, neighbors or random witnesses may have time to call the guardians of the law.

Panoramic glazing and personal comfort

Large glazing is arranged for the opportunity to:

• admire the gorgeous surrounding landscape without obstacles and in comfort;
• increase the attractiveness of the building facade;
• visual expansion of interior spaces;
• use natural rather than artificial light in the house.

With professionally executed panoramic glazing, it seems to a person inside a room with a transparent wall that the space of the house extends to the landscape, and the latter is a continuation of the house. Many may even have the impression that the picture they are seeing is not a real view, but a wide-format photograph.

If the house is inhabited by household members with a particularly sensitive psyche, then access to nature due to the presence of large glazing can have a depressing effect in bad weather. Pre-designed blinds and elegant curtains will help avoid this. A lowered barrier will also help out when you want to create a private atmosphere in the room. Although in reality it is already difficult to see from afar what is happening behind the glass - due to glare from the sun and artificial light sources.

Care problems

The beauty of the view from a panoramic window is lost the moment it loses its transparency due to stains and streaks. Getting rid of them on the glass of a regular double-glazed window is not so difficult. It is much more difficult to carry out cleaning procedures with panoramic glazing glass. It is especially problematic to do this in a high-rise apartment - when the home is not on the first, or even on the second or third floor. In this case, window cleaning can only be entrusted to a team of industrial climbers.

In a private house, glazing with a large area is easier to care for due to greater accessibility to the object. But even in this case, it is better to invite representatives of a cleaning company rather than try to restore the shine yourself. And yes, you will have to contact specialists less often if the drainage systems in the building are not made anyhow, but thoughtfully and reliably.

Professional solutions

Various profile systems are suitable for panoramic glazing: metal, wood, PVC, aluminum.

Judging from the position of a thrifty owner, panoramic windows with PVC panels, reinforced with reinforced hollow metal inlays up to 3 mm thick. Such structures can be equipped with special profiles to enhance the reliability of the entire product and increase its resistance to deformation due to temperature fluctuations. There are no restrictions on the shapes of PVC double-glazed windows, therefore finished goods can be produced in almost any configuration. But at the same time, the rule must be observed: no angle in the windows should have less than 30 degrees, and a minimum radius of arched design should not fall below 30 cm. And when ordering something like this, you need to be prepared to pay for an exclusive version of the product.

For fans of wooden profiles, manufacturers offer frames made of oak, pine, and larch wood. By special order, it is possible to use rarer types of wood.

Three-layer laminated timber is used directly on the frames, since it is much more resistant to deformation processes than solid boards. A responsible frame manufacturer will never produce material that has resin pockets, knots, bumps, cracks - all this can lead to deformation of the frame when it begins to experience maximum loads. To prevent the frame from becoming a weak link in the thermal insulation complex of the window, you need to order racks no thinner than 7.8 cm.

For guard wooden frame from unfavorable factors: precipitation, pathological fungi, ultraviolet radiation, it can be treated with an antiseptic, and then painted, varnished and sheathed the external areas with aluminum overlays.

Aluminum is not afraid of moisture, so it is often used to produce profiles for “French” windows. Besides he lightweight material, so even large structures have small specific gravity. In order for such racks to have the required degree of thermal conductivity, they are made according to a special design and equipped with a special insert - reinforced polyamide glass fiber.

Range plastic profiles for panoramic windows is as extensive as the variable list of profiles for PVC double glazed windows standard size. Among them are sash, frame, multi-segment or impost - you can order a product whose sashes will open in the direction you need.

The outer surface of aluminum profiles can be any– powder coating can imitate the surface of any material. If the characteristic color of aluminum does not match color scheme interior of the room, then the situation will be corrected wooden overlays with fastening according to the “slip-fit” scheme.

If there are no problems with financing, I advise you to pay attention to fiberglass profiles. It has the same thermal conductivity as wood, but is as strong as steel. But, alas, profiles for arched windows are not made from this material.

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Panoramic windows: 11 frequently asked questions

What are the good and bad things about full-wall windows? How to clean panoramic windows on high floors apartment buildings? What to look for when choosing them? How to solve the problems of heating and cleaning windows? What to do with excess light? In this article I will try to answer a number of the most frequently asked questions.

Pros and cons

1. What are the pros and cons of panoramic windows?

Advantages

• A full-wall window provides great daylight even in cloudy weather. As is known, sunlight least tiring for the eyes, which is not surprising: our vision has evolved, adapting precisely to its spectrum;
• It visually increases the size of the room - both due to and due to the fact that part of the border outlining the visible space disappears. The interiors of the apartments are completely transformed;
• The window allows you to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the surrounding area - views of the sea, mountains or the city at night.

Flaws

I’ll be honest: there are far more problems associated with panoramic windows than there are arguments in their favor. For me, at one time the advantages outweighed them, but after several years I am no longer so sure of the correctness of my choice.

Judge for yourself:

• Larger window sizes mean higher prices. At one time, panoramic glazing with an area of ​​26 square meters in the attic cost me, at the minimum prices in Crimea, approximately 65 thousand rubles. Since then, prices have roughly doubled. As the unforgettable Ostap Suleimanovich Bender said: “Kisa, we cannot avoid reparations;
• IN apartment building installing a panoramic window will require demolishing the cabinet under the window sill and rotating the heating radiator or replacing it with a low heating device. Doing this without approval is illegal. Get permission to change configuration utility network and the facade of the house - a long, tedious undertaking with dubious results;

The cabinet is to be demolished, the radiator is moved to another wall or changed to a low one.

Hint: if you are not going to sell the apartment in the foreseeable future and draw up a new registration certificate, a panoramic window can be installed between the room and the balcony with a continuous fence. This, strictly speaking, is also illegal, but the changes will not be visible from the street. Panoramic glazing on the balcony does not require approval either, provided that your house is not an architectural monument.

• A typical double-glazed window has noticeably lower resistance to heat transfer compared to a solid wall. Therefore, heat loss through the enclosing structures will increase. Your apartment will become colder, and if you have a heat meter or autonomous heating, your heat costs will increase;

There are configurations of double-glazed windows that are comparable to main walls in terms of the degree of thermal insulation. In particular, a triple-glazed unit with two energy-saving glasses and filled with argon in terms of heat transfer resistance corresponds to 70 centimeters of brick. However, such a window will approximately double the already considerable costs.

• With panoramic glazing, it will be a problem to create a thermal curtain in front of it. Yes, this problem is being solved, but again at a considerable cost. I'll mention possible solutions a little later;
• In sunny weather, a room with large glazing will be very hot. The only exception is the north side of the house. The southern side is illuminated at an oblique angle throughout the day; in the east and west, the rising or setting sun illuminates the room for only a few hours a day, but almost at a right angle;

I testify: my attic with glass gables is oriented strictly from east to west, and about 6 hours a day the air conditioner works at maximum cooling load.

• Finally, one cannot discount the indiscreet glances of passers-by. Panoramic windows in a private house, a lower-floor apartment, or on any floor with a nearby house opposite will make you feel like a fish in an aquarium. To protect against indiscreet glances, you will have to keep curtains or blinds closed at all times. But then, excuse me, why do we need large windows at all?

Installing a panoramic window and then keeping it tightly curtained is a strange idea, don’t you think?

Frame material

1. Which panoramic window frames are better - aluminum, plastic or wood??

With a limited budget for the project - unconditionally plastic. Arguments? Please.

Due to the high thermal conductivity of the metal, the inexpensive aluminum frame is a continuous cold bridge. It will not only facilitate the outflow of heat from the room, but will also become covered with frost in frosty weather.

Sliding panoramic warm windows made of aluminum exist in nature, but cost about the same as a small private jet due to the complex profile structure: thermal insulation is provided by several polyamide inserts.

In terms of thermal insulation qualities, they are still inferior to PVC casement windows.

In terms of thermal insulation qualities, wood is not inferior to, and sometimes even superior to, PVC profiles. Moreover, modern glued frames undergo pressing and preservation, making their geometry and dimensions absolutely stable under any fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

What's the catch?

In price. Even an inexpensive frame made of soft pine or fir will cost the buyer at least one and a half times more than a plastic one. Replacing cheap conifers with noble wood (ash or oak) will increase costs by another 2-3 times.

What about plastic? How good is he?

• The service life of PVC frames is estimated to be at least 50 years;
• The material tolerates any fluctuations in humidity, is resistant to fungus and can be washed with any cleaning agents;
• If necessary, PVC is painted in any color (including throughout the entire volume of plastic) or covered with a decorative film that very reliably imitates the texture of wood.

Brands

Profile

1. Which profile systems should you prefer when choosing windows??

If a price difference of 15 - 20% is not critical for you, it is better to choose profile systems from famous German manufacturers - KBE or Rehau. From my own experience: they differ from inexpensive profiles domestic and Chinese production are more rigid. This quality is very useful for large window areas and, accordingly, significant wind loads.

Cheaper profiles usually have a thinner metal liner. At one time I chose the most inexpensive Chinese Hautec profile; in windy weather, a slight vibration of the frames is noticeable, which is not surprising given the size of each window 5x2.6 meters.

Accessories

1. Is it possible to save money on accessories??

No, no and NO. Wear or ill-conceived mechanics of low-quality fittings will mean loose closure of the sashes or constant jamming of the handles in intermediate positions.

Here, without any options, you should give preference to quality products from well-known manufacturers. I chose Siegenia - Aubi hardware; except her, good feedback on Russian market the brands Winkhaus, Maco and Roto deserved.

1. What to look for when selecting this or that fittings?

Here are the instructions based on mine own experience operation of plastic windows:

• Hinged shutters must have a transom mode (when the shutter tilts towards itself). It is desirable that there be a microventilation mode (fixing the sash when tilted in an intermediate position by turning the handle). The transom mode allows you to ventilate the room in the rain without fear of puddles on the floor, and microventilation will provide a limited influx fresh air in the cold;
• The sash must be fixed in the closed position not only by the central lock, but also by pressure rollers at the bottom and top. It is the pressure when turning the handle that will ensure tightness. If the door is secured only by the lock tongue, the inevitable deformation of the profile will eventually leave gaps at the top and bottom of the opening.

Double-glazed window

1. How to reduce heat loss through large windows?

Losses are determined by two factors:

• Convection of the air gap between the glasses. Heat transfer due to convection decreases with an increase in the number of glass unit chambers: in this case, the temperature difference on adjacent glasses decreases, which, in fact, sets convection currents in motion;

Reducing convection losses is facilitated by replacing the air in the glass unit with argon. It is more viscous, which helps slow down the movement of convection currents, and has lower thermal conductivity compared to air.

• Infrared radiation. The size of this part of the heat loss is determined by the temperature delta between the street and the room, as well as the permeability of glass in the infrared part of the spectrum. Energy-saving glasses with limited transparency in the infrared spectrum have been developed specifically to reduce losses due to radiant heat.

As I wrote above, the highest degree of thermal protection is provided by a double-glazed window with two energy-saving glasses and argon filling.

Here is an approximate dependence of the thermal efficiency of a double-glazed window on changes in configuration:

When choosing the attic glazing structure, I preferred a budget option, typical for Crimea - a single-chamber double-glazed window with one energy-saving glass and air filling. It showed its high efficiency in winter frosts, rare for Sevastopol: at -20 outside +20 in an area of ​​60 square meters it supported one inverter air conditioner 12,000 BTU (4.1 kilowatts in heating mode).

1. Is it possible to reduce noise from the street??

Yes. For this purpose, soundproofing double-glazed windows with glass and spacer frames (gaskets that define the distances between the glasses) of variable thickness are used. The difference in thickness makes it possible to effectively dampen acoustic vibrations in different areas of the sound spectrum.

1. How to protect yourself from excessively bright sun?

A double-glazed window may include solar control glass with limited permeability in the visible spectrum. By combining solar control and energy-saving glass in one package, you can reduce not only insolation, but also the heating of the room in sunny weather.

Another solution is to stick solar control film on the glass of panoramic windows.

I strongly recommend removing the double-glazed windows to apply it: in this case, there will be no gaps along the edges of the film that are constantly clogged with dirt. In addition, this will eliminate the risk of damaging rubber compressor along the perimeter of the sash when cutting the film to size.

How to do this work yourself?

• Use a knife or sharp spatula to pry one of the vertical beads out of the frame;

• Repeat the operation with the remaining glazing beads. Take out the top one last: it will hold the glass unit in the frame until the last moment;
• Place the glass unit on a table or other horizontal surface on top of a piece of fabric;
• Thoroughly wash its inner surface from dirt and dust;
• Cut the film to the size of the glass;
• Remove the liner (backing) from the film;
• Wet the glass and adhesive surface of the film with soapy water;
• Lay the film over the glass;
• Use a dry cloth or plastic card to blot out the soapy water, starting from the center and working outward. The water will completely displace the air bubbles. Don’t be afraid to leave a small amount of water under the film: it will evaporate quickly;
• Install the glass unit into the frame;
• Center it relative to the sash with plastic inserts;
• Press the top bead and hammer it into the frame with a rubber mallet or hammer through a block;

• Repeat the operation with the remaining glazing beads.

If desired, you can also find energy-saving film on sale, which is only slightly inferior to energy-saving glass in terms of thermal insulation properties.

Curtains, roller blinds

1. How to protect a room from indiscreet views from outside?

Blinds are attractive because they provide maximum protection not only from prying eyes, but also from light. By the way, aluminum horizontal blinds protect from the sun better than those made of PVC: vinyl, although thin, still allows some light to pass through.

Fabric roller blinds(roller blinds) - perfect solution for panoramic windows on lower floors with moderate illumination from the street. When closed, they retain limited translucency; At the same time, from the street you cannot see what is happening in the house.

I chose traditional curtains made of blackout - a dense fabric that is impenetrable to light. Their choice was dictated by the complex shape of the attic ceiling and the presence of triangular inserts in the upper part of the window.

For large window areas and warm climates, it is better to choose fabric that is light on the street side. It will reduce heating of the room in sunny weather.

Thermal curtain

1. What heating radiators can be used to create a thermal curtain in front of a panoramic window?

Here are some of the most popular solutions:

• Low heating radiators for panoramic windows have a height of 200 - 350 millimeters and are mounted on floor brackets;

• A warm baseboard is a type of convector (tubes for coolant with developed fins to increase heat transfer) with a height of no more than 20 centimeters. It is equipped with a decorative screen (steel, brass or aluminum) and appearance really differs little from a high plinth;
• Heating of the glazing can also be achieved by installing in-floor convectors or fan coil units. They are mounted under a wooden floor or in a screed. The heating devices are covered from above with decorative grilles;

• Finally, a thermal curtain in front of the window is created by all types of heated floors - water, film and cable.

Care

1. What and how to clean a panoramic window?

Washing with inside quite traditionally: first - water with any detergent, then - clean water, then with a windshield wiper. Final stage- wipe with a dry cloth that does not lose lint.

For obvious reasons, cleaning windows from the outside on the upper floors is much more difficult.

The simplest solution is to use a window squeegee. To wash blind sashes, you may need a mop up to one and a half meters long. In addition, when washing, I strongly recommend using insurance - a mounting belt with a chain, attached, for example, to a heating riser.

I use another method: double-glazed windows, which cannot be washed through open sashes, are removed and washed indoors.

Conclusion

I hope that my recommendations will help the dear reader choose and install panoramic windows that will delight him with their appearance and functionality for a long time. As always, I would appreciate your contributions and comments. Additional information The video in this article will bring you to your attention. Good luck, comrades!

September 18, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, or ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

At first it seems that the high price is the main disadvantage of panoramic windows, but after their installation much more serious problems are revealed that would be correct to prevent or reduce in advance. The cause of the problems is precisely what is so attractive about panoramic glazing - the large area of ​​translucent wall elements.

Disadvantage 1: Large heat losses through glass

Alas, it is glass that contributes to the most significant heat loss in winter and overheating of rooms in summer. To solve the problem it is better to use A complex approach to achieve a spectacular result:

1. When ordering windows to directly reduce heat loss, choose energy-saving or two-chamber ones. Which ones are preferable? Panoteka recommends using heavy double-glazed windows only in extreme cases, exclusively for panoramic windows with small opening sashes; in other cases, it would be more advisable to use a single-chamber double-glazed window with energy-saving glass, so as not to create unnecessary load on the fittings. Filling the internal space with argon will also reduce heat transfer, but the customer, alas, will not be able to verify compliance with this condition of the contract.
2. Shutters, a fairly new offering on the Russian market, can additionally reduce direct heat loss. Shutters made of artificial material are attached to the vertical profiles of the window frame and prevent the passage of both hot sunlight and frosty air into the room. They can be opened and completely removable, allowing full visibility to the outside whenever desired.
3. Mirror-coated glass perfectly reflects the sun's rays, and such a choice is appropriate for south-facing panoramic windows. Tinted glass has a slightly less effect, but they are also used to reflect part of the solar spectrum.
4. A thermal curtain in front of the windows will additionally prevent heat exchange between the window and internal parts rooms. With a large glazing area, creating a curtain will reduce overall heating costs. More details modern technologies We described thermal curtains in the article on heating.

Disadvantage 2: Heat loss through the window profile

Only panoramic windows made of wood and fiberglass have extremely low heat loss through the profile. Aluminum and PVC windows are significantly inferior to them. When glazing heated rooms, the aluminum profile should be ordered as definitely warm.

WITH metal-plastic windows It is often advisable to choose a three-chamber profile if the sashes are large. When the relative area of ​​double-glazed windows greatly exceeds the proportion window frames, the purchase of four- or five-chamber profiles will not significantly reduce heat loss. It makes sense to choose a warmer profile when the panoramic window consists of small sashes.

Disadvantage 3: Increased heating costs

No matter how you reduce heat loss in areas with panoramic windows, they will have to be heated more intensively than similar rooms with ordinary windows. The issue of efficient heating must be solved in conjunction with glazing in order to choose the optimal way to heat rooms.

Disadvantage 4: Insufficient sound insulation

The noise of a metropolis, a nearby highway, stadium or suburban recreation area is naturally undesirable inside the house. A single-chamber double-glazed window with two glasses is not able to dampen sound waves sufficiently. So far, the only effective way for us is to install double-glazed windows with different chamber thicknesses.

However, with panoramic glazing this means a significant increase in the weight of the sashes, rapid wear of the fittings and the need to repair windows more often. The most promising method seems to be the use of acoustic films for windows, but so far we have not found a single offer on the Moscow market, although there is experience in using them at sites in Japan, Europe, and the USA.

Disadvantage 5: Glass icing

Ice on the panoramic windows completely eliminates the possibility of admiring the surrounding view. However, today there are many ways to avoid this by creating a thermal curtain in front of the window. Slot convectors, long-wave infrared heaters, warm baseboards, warm film floors - any of these methods are suitable for combating glass icing.

To create a veil warm air heaters can be mounted in the floor under the window, on the ceiling, walls around windows, in window slopes or window sills. It is advisable to provide for the possibility of autonomous connection of a thermal curtain in order to use this method regardless of the heating mode of the premises.

Disadvantage 6: Energy-saving glass

A bit unexpected, right? We constantly recommend using energy-saving glass for panoramic windows, but it turns out that they have disadvantages that you should know about in advance. By reflecting the sun's rays from the surface, glass with appropriate coating or film creates increased solar radiation in the plane where these rays fall. As a rule, these are walls under the windows and courtyard areas opposite them.

The consequences of exposure to double solar radiation can be as follows:

• burnout (discoloration) of some types of siding;
• wilting and diseases of plants planted under windows;
• warping of plastic furniture or artificial lawns;
• strong heating of the stone or concrete surface of the yard and paths.

To avoid such troubles, it is enough to choose a finish that is resistant to solar radiation and plan the design of the yard so that there are no shade-loving plants or plastic products. It is better to use wooden paths or a terrace under such windows.

Disadvantage 7: Difficulty cleaning large windows

Cleaning panoramic windows from the outside is not always easy, and often dangerous if the upper floors of buildings are glazed. Not everyone can afford to hire washers every time. It is better to decide how you will clean large windows before ordering them, since often the number of opening sashes is determined precisely by the need for cleaning, and not just ventilation.

We recommend finding a manufacturer who, before installing double-glazed windows, will immediately coat them with a special photocatalytic composition for. The essence of the action is this: any contaminants decompose under the sun's rays, and at the first rain (or watering from a hose in dry summer) they are simply washed off the glass.

Disadvantage 8: Limitations in furnishing the premises

Availability glass wall in the room limits the possibilities of arranging furniture. You will have to think about how best to admire the landscape through panoramic windows. Of course, tall furniture will have to be placed near other walls, but not every low piece of furniture will be appropriate near a window.

In this case, it is necessary to maintain a balance of objects of different sizes, symmetry and other interior design techniques. Furniture problems are solved somewhat easier when panoramic glazing starts slightly above the floor. Soon we will devote a special article to the rules for designing rooms with large windows.

Disadvantage 9: Low privacy of the interior space

Replacing blank walls with transparent windows allows you to better view the interior of the house from the outside. Neighbors, passers-by, and guests will be much better informed about your life. Of course, you can close the windows with curtains, but then you will deprive yourself of the opportunity to see the picture outside the window.

During the day, mirrored or tinted glass can protect your privacy. In densely built conditions, this is a very good way to hide personal life. If you don’t want to curtain the windows in the evenings, but still maintain privacy, then choose to install windows under the ceiling or in those parts of the rooms that are not visible from neighboring houses or from the road. Another way is to install decorative screens outside, although such a choice will fragment the view from the window.

Disadvantage 10: Problem of Vandalism

It is usually easier to enter a house through windows than through walls or a strong door, so the danger of breaking into panoramic windows is quite high. Therefore, for panoramic glazing we recommend using the most durable glass: triplex, tempered, armored. You can laminate the outer glass with special armor films.

However, it is much safer to use additionally and, especially, roller shutters. Such protection will quickly scare away vandals. If the house is left unattended for a long time, then it makes sense to install an alarm system and at the same time insure the property.

The presence of shortcomings is not at all a reason to refuse to install panoramic windows, since any operational problem can be solved in several modern ways.

Panoramic windows are the dream of many. They give housing a completely different look than is envisaged by the stereotypes that are formed by the standard designs of most of our houses.

The use of panoramic windows in the construction of residential buildings is a relatively recent phenomenon, but it has already taken root and demonstrated its advantages and disadvantages. Having analyzed them, as well as reviews from the owners of such structures, we will try to figure out whether it is worth making a bold dream come true.

pros

Let us highlight the main advantages of panoramic glazing:

1. The most important advantage for which such windows are installed is the panorama that opens from them. The incomparable view from the window will add luxury to the room and emphasize its high cost..
2. The second undoubted advantage is the natural illumination of the room for a long time.

Minuses

The disadvantages of panoramic windows usually include the following:

1. Loss of thermal insulation ability, or simply heat - any absence of a wall means that heat will escape, despite the maximum tightness of such windows. This must be taken into account by residents of regions beyond the southern borders.
2. If there are children in the family, then such windows always create an additional risk for their safety. To avoid it, protective metal structures are usually installed required size .
3. It is impossible to clean such windows yourself. In any case, regardless of the number of floors, you will have to attract specialists.
4. High price- for such windows a special strained glass, giving it high strength.
5. Installation of such windows is not possible in all houses and new buildings.

Read more about the disadvantages

It’s good if the implementation of such a design was initially provided for by the architecture of the house, for example, when constructing a new high-rise building, and you won’t have to redo anything.

If you decide to install panoramic windows, then it should be noted that this will be a redevelopment and before taking on the work, you will have to get it approved by the necessary authorities. In many cases, it will not be possible to obtain such permission, since the wall with windows is usually load-bearing.

Similar difficulties may arise when glazing a loggia, as well as if the building is an architectural monument. In a word, these nuances should be taken into account in advance, since they have crucial.

If the issue of installing a panoramic window is resolved in the affirmative, then it is necessary to provide for the creation of a heated floor zone nearby or other convection heating, as well as the installation of an air conditioner. The latter will solve the problem of heat in the summer, but the first is necessary, since there will always be a cold space near the glass, and due to the temperature difference, condensation may form.

It is important to know: When choosing an apartment with a panoramic window, make sure that it does not face a busy street, since it will not be possible to completely get rid of the noise.

Since in most cases panoramic windows are installed in multi-story high-rise buildings, window cleaning will require the involvement of professionals. The fact is that despite the fact that the window may consist of parts or sections, it is still impossible to get there with all kinds of devices.

Dust is the scourge of any city, as well as precipitation that leaves traces; unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid their appearance on glass. You will have to take care of the cleanliness of the windows, which is also associated with additional costs; dirt on them will spoil the whole impression.

In addition, a subtle point associated with the transition of the positive property of a panoramic window into a negative one and vice versa is the openness of your home. After all, in an apartment with such windows, even on a high floor, part of the interior is inevitably visible, which can attract unwanted attention from strangers (for example, thieves), which means there is a need to think through additional safety and security measures for the home.

About the design

Panoramic windows can be made with or without frames (frameless).

Of course, with frames is a more reliable and durable option. Typically, frames are made of aluminum, metal-reinforced plastic, or glass composite. The last option is the most expensive, but also the most reliable.

This is a high-strength material whose properties are similar to steel, does not burn, rot, or destroy, is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation, and does not fade.

You can open windows and doors (if we are talking about a balcony). different ways, depending on the fittings:

1. The most popular is the tilt-and-turn type (also used on regular plastic windows) - when the sash can be opened completely or simply tilted back a little, for example, for ventilation.
2. Parallel-sliding (sliding) - the sash seems to ride on rails. However, in this case, the seals wear out quickly; you will have to constantly monitor this point.
3. Folding the sashes like an accordion is not the most common and good option. Despite the fact that it is possible to completely move the glass to the side, freeing up the opening, the heat-insulating and sound-proofing abilities are significantly reduced.
4. Lift-and-slide - such fittings - perfect option. Despite the high cost, it creates excellent tightness and sound insulation.

Decor

And yet apartments with panoramic windows are very attractive and will never compare with their usual counterparts - ordinary windows.

By giving weightlessness to the room and visually increasing its area, designers willingly take on the design of such interiors. As a rule, in apartments one room (living room) or kitchen is decorated with such a window..

It is not advisable to place it in the bedroom. This window also looks good in a studio apartment, where there are no partition walls and the space is zoned. A huge selection of curtains will emphasize the unsurpassed beauty of the view from the window without disturbing the harmony.

Should be considered: The least desirable option is a Roman shade, which will rattle and sway if even one window sash is open.

Look interesting video about panoramic windows and their features:

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