Panoramic windows in the apartment: 15 questions and answers + photos

Who does not dream of a large panoramic window in his apartment? Especially if it offers a modern urban landscape or a view of natural beauty. Probably only those who have never heard of the existence of such windows. True, in view of their crazy popularity, it is simply impossible not to know about them. The presence of this type of glazing in the apartment is an indicator of wealth and gives the room a special gloss and style. True, not everyone can afford such a pleasure. And it's not only the high cost and other points. A lot depends on what house you live in and how old he is. In this article we will consider in detail use of panoramic windows in the apartment and we will analyze most pressing issuesrelated to this topic.

1. What are panoramic windows?

Panoramic windows – this is type of glazing, the size of which occupies the entire surface of the wall or its 2/3, and in height extends from the floor to the ceiling. A panoramic window can be located not only on one wall, but also on two or have an angular structure. France is considered the birthplace of unusual windows, or rather, its province called Provence. It was there that such large windows were first used to decorate building facades. Therefore, very often they are called "French."

A panoramic window can transform even the most cramped room and fill it with a sense of limitless open space. We can say that today it is symbol of prestige and an indicator of the presence of a sense of style in the homeowner. Sometimes the desire to equip such an element in your apartment takes the form of obsession, and a person in pursuit of beautiful views simply refuses to think rationally. In order for your decision to be balanced and considered, we will consider in detail all aspects of using panoramic windows in the apartment.

2. When is it advisable to use panoramic glazing?

Given that the name of this type of glazing itself implies the presence of a beautiful panorama outside the window, the answer is more than obvious. In France, such windows certainly opened a view of the winter garden, a beautiful park or a cozy square, nicely furnished patio or other green area. Idea was to create a feeling unity from by nature. Agree, in a busy modern life, it is very rarely possible to allocate time for a leisurely walk in the park or just along the street. We are always in a hurry somewhere - to work, to go shopping, back home, to finish homework faster and finally to lie down. Therefore, the desire to equip large windows must be reinforced the presence of a beautiful landscape behind them.

• This is a good solution in the so-called "Species" apartments. They are usually located on the upper floors. high-rise buildingswith windows overlooking the river, forest belt or just the city. This is most often at home in new areasthat are just developing. If so, then you may expect surprises. Suppose now your view from the windows more than suits you. But if the area is still being built up, there is a possibility that the same high-rise building will soon grow in front of your windows and completely block the attractive panorama. To prevent this from happening, you can try to get a plan of the area from the developer and carefully study it.
• The opposite situation is not excluded - when you see an old abandoned building from your windows. Such a landscape is undoubtedly annoying and causes a feeling of gloom. However, it is possible that a project has already been developed to demolish this building and organize a park zone or a beautiful alley. It’s also worth being interested in such moments.
• The floor also plays an important role. Remember that not only a vast panorama opens before you, but what is happening inside your apartment is clearly visible from the street. This is especially true for residents of lower floors. Plus, the view outside the window in most cases will be unremarkable. Then does it make sense to splurge on a panoramic window if you have to constantly hang it tight curtains?

As you can see, in order to fully enjoy your decision to install panoramic glazing, it is necessary that your house has a good location, and the number of storeys allows you to stay safe from the annoying looks of passers-by.

3. What are panoramic windows made of?

Depending on the used materials for the manufacture of frame panoramic windows can be of two types:

• Cold - when the profile material is used aluminum or other metal. In this case, the frames may be completely absent. This significantly reduces the cost, but frameless windows do not retain heat well and isolate noise. Therefore, most often they are used for glazing balconies or loggias. But due to its lightness and high strength, the aluminum profile is very popular. It is also a good option for glazing. veranda or terraces in a private house. Aluminum windows are designed for middle-income consumers;
• Warm window involve the use of materials such as plastic or tree. For the framework, glued beams of such species as oak, larch or pine are usually used. The array is not used due to its tendency to deform. The undoubted advantage of wooden panoramic windows is that they provide a constant indoor ventilation even when closed. It is this fact that pushes many to such an expensive purchase. However, do not forget about the increased demands of wooden products to care for them. A plastic profile is used most often. This material is easy to process and allows you to make frames of any configuration. At the same time, plastic frames are durable and affordable. The plastic profile allows you to install 3 or more chamber double-glazed windows. This allows you to choose the optimal price / quality ratio and the desired level of heat and noise insulation.

Despite the fact that aluminum is traditionally used for cold glazing, modern technologists have made it possible to use it for warm windows. Secret lies in special designs where a heat-insulating layer is present between the outer and inner profile. An aluminum profile with a so-called thermal break or thermal bridge costs approximately the same as a wooden profile.

4. What window configuration to prefer?

By configuration There are three main types of panoramic windows:

• Classic - Rectangular windows familiar to everyone, which can have an elongated shape both vertically and horizontally. Such windows are usually installed in the most advantageous places.However, they do not have to extend from floor to ceiling. Quite the contrary, classic designs are usually made in the form of low rectangles;
• Bay windows - respectively designed for installation on protruding part of the wall. Such a move instantly visually increases the area of ​​the room;
• Corner - This type is very rare within ordinary residential apartments. Such glazing looks most advantageous in spacious rooms with high ceilings.

5. Are panoramic windows safe?

Many are convinced that such large glass structures are quite fragile and unsafe, especially for children. Of course, in comparison with a monolithic wall they are less durable, but in order to break a panoramic window you will have to make some effort. Most security depends on the type of glass, which was used in the manufacture. It occupies at least 80% of the area.

• The most expensive, but also the most durable will be armored glasswhich is almost impossible to break, no matter how you try. We can say that this is already an excess. Since the most common double-glazed windows are installed tempered glasshaving sufficient strength.
• If the house has children or pets, choose glass at least 6 mm thick for glazing rooms with ceiling heights of up to 2.8 m and a thickness of 8 mm for higher rooms.
• One of the safest is considered triplex glass. Its fundamental difference lies in the presence of a thin transparent polyvinyl butyral film between two layers of shockproof glass with a thickness of 3 or 4 mm. If you still managed to break it, then the fragments will not scatter in different directions and will not injure you, but will remain on film. Their shape will be rounded, without sharp edges.

Another integral part of panoramic glazing, which most neglected in favor of a general aesthetics, is setting outdoor fencing. Again, this is especially true for families with children. The fence is a metal grill 50-60 cm high, which is located outside at a distance of 15-25 cm from the glass. It is intended to protect against loss in the event of damage to the glass. There are times when special authorities giving permission to install panoramic glass do not give permission to install fencing precisely from the outside. In this case, it is necessary to install it inside, immediately in front of the glass. Lattice can have any configuration according to your desire, be forged, etc. the main thing is that the distance between the rods is minimal, not allowing the child to stick his head between them.

And another erroneous opinion, which has been firmly rooted among the masses of people, says that an apartment with panoramic windows is easier prey for burglars and housekeepers. Experts convince that open the panoramic window not any easier than ordinary plastic, or even harder. And smash even more so.

On general construction safety affects and view selected frames. The metal-plastic profile has become very widespread due to its durability and affordable cost. But compared to aluminum or wood, it has the least strength. Aluminum attracts with its strength and lightness, but has significant heat loss. Wood is the most environmentally friendly and winning option, and at the same time the most expensive.

The profile is fixed to the wall with special anchor bolts. At this stage very it is important to control the frequency their location. It should be at least one bolt over a length of 0.5 m, after which the installers must foam the structure from a special gun. Moreover, it is necessary to foam in several approaches and it is necessary both from the inside and the outside. Pay attention to number of jumpers. In order not to burden the design above the norm, it is not recommended to break the glass into more than 7 parts. The number of jumpers depends on the selected opening method window.

6. Which way to open the window to choose?

• The most common - swing-out fittings. Allows you to set the glass in the airing position;
• Folding accordion - Not the best option for use in the apartment. When opening, the opening opens almost completely, shifting the wings to the side. In this case, significant heat loss is observed;
• Tilt and slide system - also allows you to set the glass in ventilation mode, provides high levels of tightness and thermal insulation. However, sealing materials wear out very quickly;
• Sliding and Sliding Fittings - provides high levels of sound insulation, tightness and minimal heat loss. It has a high cost.

When installing a double-glazed window over swinging or folding sections, it is necessary to install a protective fence in the form of a rod on the frame. Its height should not be less than 1 meter.

7. What is good in panoramic glazing?

It should be noted that there are fewer advantages than disadvantages. However, with the proper approach, most of the negative aspects can be eliminated. Start with good:

• The initial calling of panoramic windows is to provide maximum visibility. They cope with this task in full. And if you have a pleasant landscape, you will receive aesthetic enjoyment and a feeling of complete unity with nature;
• Panoramic windows can transform and fill with space even the most modest room;
• You'll get maximum amount of natural light and you can enjoy the daylight from dawn to dusk. If you think about it, it will also help not bad save on electricity.

8. Are there any downsides to panoramic windows?

Concerning negative of the parties:

• Primarily, high price;
• Sophisticated installation workthat are almost impossible to do on their own. And that means extra spending;
• Before installing a panoramic window, you have to get around a lot of authorities and get permission. Indeed, in fact, such actions relate to the redevelopment of the home. You can find contractors who install turnkey windows and do all the paperwork themselves. In this case, get ready to spend a considerable amount for their services;
• After installation, some begin to complain about psychological discomfort, which is due to the fact that everything that happens in the room is clearly visible from the street. In fact, you will always be in sight. If this is really a kind of barrier for you, then it is better to refuse to install panoramic windows. Especially if they do not go to a secluded place, but to a busy street or park;
• When purchasing a low-quality double-glazed window you run the risk of getting a very low level of sound insulation;
• TO serious noise will be added to constant noise. Of course, they can be compensated by installing additional heating appliances;
• It should also be borne in mind that in the cold season, the window will give out heat to its entire surface. And in the warm season, it will let through a much larger amount of solar heat. Because of this, the room may be too hot;
• Opportunity condensation;
• Washing a large panoramic window can be quite a challenge. Especially if you do not have a telescopic or magnetic brush. Have to ask for help from professional washers, whose services are not cheap. By the way, windows will have to be washed quite often. After all, what kind of aesthetic pleasure can be discussed if the surface of the window is covered with dust or traces of recent precipitation;

Most of the flaws are really easy to fix.Therefore, if the condition of your home allows you to install panoramic windows and you do not intend to save on the quality of services, the result will delight you.

9. And where is the rendering, and why should we reckon with it?

Another important nuance that few people take into account, especially if repairs are made indoors without the help of a competent designer, is rendering. In other words, it's a game of light and the ability of finishing materials to reflect the sun's rays. A room with a large window in it changes dramatically. Her light picture is also changing. Due to the poor choice of materials or the wrong location of the window, the room previously flooded with sunlight can become gloomy and dull.

Why it happens? A regular window is framed by a slope, which is usually dazzlingly white. Thus, light is perfectly reflected from its surface. Panoramic windows do not have such a frame. The lack of light will be especially noticeable in winter, when daylight is very short, and sunlight is mainly reflected from the surface of the snow, i.e. directed from bottom to top. If the ceiling decoration does not have reflective properties, then the room will look like in the photo below.
Therefore, before proceeding with the repair, it is necessary to determine exactly what window will be in the room. Some panoramic window installation companies can immediately provide you with a computer visualization of the room at different times of the year. This service costs a lot, but it allows you to maximally profitably emphasize the presence of a huge window in the room and build a design project in the room with it in mind.

10. Is it legal to install panoramic windows in an ordinary apartment?

Installation of a panoramic window equated to redevelopment. Accordingly, such an action should be legalized and obtained permission. And it is best to do this immediately before starting all work, so that later there would be no pity on the money spent. there is several installation methods panoramic windows in the apartment:

• In place of the standard window opening by expanding it;
• Instead of a balcony block located between the loggia and the room;
• As an option for glazing a loggia or balcony.

Just note that the last two options are the simplest and require a much smaller number of permissions. If you decide to glaze the balcony in this way, it must first be well insulateto reduce heat loss.

If in this way you want to combine a room with a loggia, then you will get a lot of advantages. You do not need to tear down the wall, just remove the parapet, which is not a supporting structure. At the same time, you will get more light, make the room visually more spacious and get a couple of additional square meters. Only needobtain permission to carry heating radiator. It is undesirable to take it to the loggia. Especially if it is not properly insulated. You will create the so-called cold bridge. And not only you, but also your neighbors will feel a lack of warmth. The first installation option is the most difficult from a technical point of view. In the next paragraph, we will consider which types of houses allow and which do not, to fulfill your idea.

11. In which houses can I install panoramic windows?

Consider the example of the most common buildings of our housing stock:

• Highly an old house - the most difficult case. There are two possible options for events. Or, after contacting the service, they will give you an answer that the house is too old and dilapidated, the slightest changes can lead to its destruction, the architect of the house has not been working for a long time, and in general, you violate the special atmosphere of cultural heritage and spoil its old facade with your modern ideas. Or vice versa - they give up and give the green light to the work as soon as the house will be ready for demolition. In this case, everything is not so simple from a technical point of view.It may be difficult to find technical documentation for the building. And this will make impossible strength calculations, for which you need to know the thickness of the floors, the parameters of building materials and mortar, etc. All this will drag on for a long time and will require significant investment in new calculations. In this case, it is probably more advisable to completely change the place of residence;
• Brick house - a more real opportunity. If only the thickness of the bearing walls is not less than 51 cm. This is found, but rarely. If this indicator is normal, then after obtaining all paper permits and additional reinforcement of the opening with lounges, you can install a panoramic window;
• Panel Khrushchev or Brezhnevka due to their dilapidation, they do not have such a redevelopment. In addition, given the year of their construction, they are unlikely to boast a pleasant view from the windows and a good location;
• Panel houses that were built after 1998 have undergone significant improvements from a technical point of view. Their construction was carried out using computer calculations of strength and many other parameters. This made it possible to ensure that even with the destruction of 2/3 of the structure, the remaining part will retain its strength. In addition, most new buildings It was originally designed for the installation of panoramic windows. And applying to the manager of the house, you can provide a ready-made window design.

Be that as it may, the final permission is issued by an expert organization. But be prepared for the fact that often she refuses to conduct a technical examination of old buildings. And those specialists who undertake such work cost a lot of money.

12. What documents will have to be prepared?

You will need to file with the authorities to obtain permission, development and approval of the project:

• Written permission from the owner or operator of the building that he gives the green light to the installation. If the house does not belong to typical buildings, is of historical value, or is located in a remarkable area, you may be additionally referred to an architect or an authorized architectural organization;
• With permission, you should go to a specialized and necessarily licensed design organization. Its representative must make technical approval about the possibility of redevelopment, to develop a draft window and conclude an agreement with you on the implementation of technical supervision of the work;

After the design and technical documentation is in your hands, it is necessary attach the following documents:

• Technical passport for a residential facility (BTI passport for an apartment);
• Permission of the Ministry of Emergencies;
• Permission of Rospotrebnadzor;
• Permission of the historical authority for atypical houses, if necessary;
• Certificate of ownership notarized;
• Single housing document.

All these papers, together with your application, must be submitted to the interagency municipal commission for consideration. And if after you have received all this pile of papers, you still want to install a panoramic window in your apartment, then at this stage the most interesting will begin. You have to wait for the decision of the commission. At the same time, the time allotted for consideration significantly exceeds the validity period of some of the submitted documents. And if at the moment when your papers finally fall into the hands of an official, something is already overdue, all your efforts will be wrapped back. Therefore, we advise you to immediately contact the company, which itself will compose and obtain permission for the project. Or look for an apartment in a new building, where the developer immediately installs panoramic windows.

13. How to deal with the appearance of condensation on the windows?

A very common problem that owners of panoramic windows have to deal with is accumulation of condensate. It appears due to the temperature difference inside and outside the room. You can fight it with the help of systems air conditioning and installation of additional heating appliances in close proximity to the area of ​​the panoramic window. Considering that there will be little space for them, or rather, practically will not remain, the following will do heating systems:

• Warm baseboard - An ideal solution in such a case. It takes up little space, is almost invisible, economical, and at the same time is able to make up for heat loss. At the same time, it creates a thermal curtain that "creeps" up and prevents the penetration of cold air into the room. If you choose an electric model, you can turn it on as needed;
• Built-in tubular convectors. Suitable only for those who perform major repairs of the apartment with the replacement of floors. After all, they are laid under the base of the floor. Floor convectors create a thermal curtain as if from under a window;
• Warm floor - It is also able to provide uniform heating of the room and prevent the appearance of condensation.

Condensation may also occur. poor ventilation. It is necessary to organize a powerful system of supply and exhaust type. It is also possible to purchase double-glazed windows with a special heat-repellent coating.

14. What to buy curtains for panoramic windows?

Main rule when choosing curtains for panoramic windows - they should not distract attention from the window itself. So, heavy curtains with all kinds of lambrequins and other frills will not work. In this case, the simpler the better. Of course, curtains should be in harmony with the color scheme of the room and its style, but in fact they just have to fulfill their main task - to create an intimate atmosphere.

It is worth giving preference to light organza curtains. Many are advised to use Chinese curtains or vertical fabric roleta, but no one warns that when you set the window to the airing position, they will create an unpleasant noise and move along the window with a cursor. At the same time, special mounts will not save the situation much. You can do it at all without curtains choosing a tinted double-glazed window or a double-glazed window with a special reflective coating. The latest novelty is the window with a special coating, which allows using the control panel to adjust the degree of dimming.

15. What determines the price of panoramic windows?

Price policydepends on many factors. Determining the exact price, knowing only the size of the future window, is almost impossible, at least area and has the greatest impact. It is worth paying attention to:

• The quality of the used hardware;
• Type and material of the profile;
• The number of cameras for a double-glazed window in a metal-plastic profile;
• Casement type - whole or sectional;
• Opening method;
• Frame color;
• The quality of the seals. Little secret - to find out whether the seal is in front of you, press it with your finger for 5-10 seconds, and then release it. Good material will instantly return to its original form;
• Type of glass;
• Frame configuration;
• The complexity and volume of installation work;
• And, of course, the brand. But this is not the case when you should turn to little-known manufacturers.

On the sites of serious firms you can always find an online calculator that will help you independently calculate the approximate cost of the window. And this, in turn, will help to make an approximate estimate.