What are the pros and cons of panoramic windows in apartments and private houses: opinions

Panorama translated from Greek means “I see everything.”
In the case of panoramic windows, this is true, since the wall does not interfere with the view. Today these window designs have become very fashionable. In pursuit of it, many customers, without first analyzing all the positive and negative aspects, rush to install them in their houses and apartments, and this sometimes creates such problems that they completely eliminate all possible benefits from the installation.

Instead of admiring nature, the room is hot or cold, the windows are covered with condensation, and the house is dank and damp. To prevent this from happening, the customer of panoramic windows needs to study all the pros and cons of such a window design and carefully weigh their options.

Advantages

In order to correctly evaluate the benefits of panoramic windows, you need to understand that they only appear if the installation location is chosen correctly. Their sizes do not contradict the architectural design of the building and the chosen design of the room. At the same time, we must not forget about the energy efficiency of such window structures.

Experts recommend installing such structures in the following places:

1. 
   Glazing of interior spaces in a house or apartment, when the entire wall or most of it is made of glass.
   This is the most difficult glazing option, especially in apartments of multi-storey buildings, since it requires special permission from regulatory authorities for the refurbishment of premises.

   Read also:  The easiest way to glaze a balcony with your own hands
2. A kitchen with a dining area overlooking a busy city or a serene natural landscape creates a positive mood for the owners for the whole day. It is important to take into account the cardinal directions; such glazing is not acceptable on the south side, which can turn the kitchen into a steam room.
3. A bedroom, for this room, panoramic windows are quite acceptable, and the landscape that changes throughout the year and day will be much more interesting than ordinary wallpaper. The problem of privacy in such rooms can be solved with special modern glass protection devices and even ordinary curtains. Of course, the changing place should be chosen away from the window, and the heating system should be floor-mounted.
4. The living room is an ideal place for a panoramic window, in a room that will not be cluttered with massive furniture.
5. Loggias and balconies of multi-storey buildings. The lower part is made of especially strong glass; only the upper doors come off. To strengthen the structure, you need to use triplex glass or stick a protective film.
6. Swimming pools and baths - installation is preferable in recreation rooms with access to a terrace or veranda.
7. Terraces, the most common and justified installation option, have many advantages and do not require expensive thermal insulation windows, since the terrace is usually not heated. There are no security problems since the entrance to the house is protected by doors. This option does not affect the load-bearing walls of the building and is rich in design solutions.
8. Bay windows themselves are a decoration of any building, and panoramic window systems become a real highlight in such a house. In this option, panoramic windows provide a high level of comfort, since here they do not affect the decrease in the heat balance in the room in winter.

Glazing of covered gazebos increases the efficiency of these small structures, since it protects their interior from rain and insects. Such panoramic structures are easy to install and maintain.

If these tips are followed by the developer, his actions are coordinated with specialists, the design of the panoramic window and its insulation system are chosen correctly, then the advantages of such an installation will be much greater than the disadvantages.

Experts note a number of positive features of panoramic windows, which are typical when installed both in apartments and in individual housing construction, as well as the presence of distinctive advantages that are characteristic only of a certain category of housing.

General advantages of panoramic windows for all types of residential buildings:

1. A visual increase in the space of the room, the absence of opaque walls makes even a miniature room look huge.
2. The design appearance of the room and facade is transformed, the building is united with the surrounding landscape.
3. Increased natural light, including in cloudy weather. This is very important in order to ensure health for human eyes, which are accustomed to the full spectrum of sunlight. So far, not a single innovative lighting can completely replace solar.
4. Modern interior room interiors.
5. Increasing a healthy lifestyle, creating a good mood caused by the constant contemplation of the beautiful view from the window.

For a private home

A private house is more suitable for installing panoramic windows; as a rule, such installation is planned during its design. During the project, the locations of such windows are selected taking into account the existing landscape, cardinal directions and the developer’s plans.

In this case, you can get the maximum number of benefits from their installation. In addition to the general advantages of panoramic windows, in private homes they are complemented by specific ones. Such window systems are a real gift to architects, helping them realize the most daring projects.

The advantages of panoramic windows for private homes, experts and users primarily include :

1. 
   Opportunity to implement a unique house project.

2. Closeness to nature, to the sea, mountains or forest landscape.
3. Modern interior interior of a house.
4. A combination of unique natural characteristics of the area and a high level of life support in the house.
5. Expansion and openness of the interior space of the house.

For high-rise buildings

In fact, for apartments there are not many options for installing panoramic blocks that can create real advantages. This is due to the fact that most of them require special permission for redevelopment. The exception is new houses, which according to the design come with panoramic windows and are structurally made in accordance with GOST requirements.

The main advantages of installing panoramic windows for apartments:

1. Enlarges small spaces.
2. Blurring the boundaries between internal and external space.
3. The ability to additionally illuminate the combined spaces in the apartment, for example, the kitchen and dining room.
4. Creation of modern apartments with European layout.

Materials for window frames

Frames make:

1. Made of wood. The design looks good and fits well into the home interior. The disadvantage is the high cost.
2. Metal plastic. The most common option. Hollow metal profiles are divided by longitudinal partitions into several chambers, which provides a heat-saving effect. It is reinforced by a PVC shell, which also gives the product an attractive appearance. The disadvantage is the heavy weight, which requires reinforcement of the balcony slab.
3. Aluminum. The advantages of such frames are light weight and fire safety. Thanks to their stylish appearance, they fit well into a high-tech or techno style interior. The disadvantage is the high cost.
4. Fiberglass composite. The most expensive option. The material appeared recently; It is lightweight, high strength, low thermal conductivity and attractive in appearance.

Flaws

The disadvantages of such structures can be general and specific to private houses and apartments. General ones are mainly associated with ill-conceived installation, incorrect choice of location and design, experts include :

1. High cost, which depends on the size, type of frame and glass, so energy-efficient models cost twice as much.
2. Low thermal resistance, large heat losses that a conventional in-house heating system cannot cope with, you will need a floor system and a triple-glazed unit with argon and 2 glasses with an energy-saving effect.
3. Difficulties with thermoregulation, high indoor temperatures in the summer, especially on the south side.
4. Low privacy, especially for windows that face city streets and are located on the 1st floor.
5. Low level of security.
6. Poor sound insulation, such windows are not able to contain street noise.
7. Lack of personal space.
8. Insufficient space for arranging furniture, so as not to block the view from the window, you will need to select small furniture and think about where to place the TV and computer.
9. In sunny weather it is impossible to watch TV and work on a monitor; you need to think about additional darkening.

The disadvantages of such designs also include the fear of open space for some people and is considered problematic in rooms where there are children.

For cottages

For this category of houses, with proper installation and timely design, there are practically no problems with the operation of panoramic windows. To do this, its correct location and a special heating system with bottom blowing of heated air on the glass must be chosen so that it is not covered with condensation.

However, the disadvantages when installing panoramic windows also appear in private households :

1. 
   High cost of heating; for normal operation of such systems, it will be necessary to maintain a higher air temperature of 22-25 C so that the glass is warm all the time, and this increases heating costs by 25-40%.

2. Additional costs for maintaining low humidity levels in the room and forced air ventilation to speed up the drying process.
3. Low wind load on panoramic windows.

In multi-storey buildings

For these types of premises, the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages; sometimes they become a serious stumbling block to the realization of the owner’s plans to install panoramic windows in his apartment. Those developers who initially planned to build a house with panoramic glazing or install them on loggias and balconies have fewer problems.

The main disadvantages when installing panoramic windows in apartments:

1. The difficulty of obtaining permission for installation from regulatory and operating organizations, as well as the impossibility in most cases of coordinating the reconstruction process with neighbors, with the exception of options with balconies and loggias.
2. Complex installation, large and heavy structures installed on upper floors, in many cases will require the use of lifting equipment, which will cause a significant increase in installation costs.
3. Installation requires the demolition of the curb stone located under the window sill and the relocation of the heating radiator and replacement with a different type of heating, which will additionally need to be agreed upon with the operating organization.
4. The placement of panoramic windows on the first and upper floors reduces the level of housing safety, in the first case due to the possible penetration of intruders, in the second due to the high level of injuries when the window is damaged.

The developer should be aware of the difficulty in maintaining such windows, starting from the 2nd floor; for these purposes, it will be necessary to invite high-altitude specialists with climbing equipment.

How to legalize panoramic glazing of a balcony?

Another problem with installing a panoramic window on the facade of a building is the need to legitimize this process. In order to avoid problems with the relevant authorities, you should adhere to a number of rules. First of all, such glazing cannot be carried out without prior approval from the housing office and city architectural organizations.

In the case of unauthorized glazing of the building's facade, the owners of the premises may receive a court decision ordering the building's façade to be returned to its original condition. Naturally, this court decision will need to be implemented. Accordingly, the apartment owner will face even greater costs for dismantling work. By the way, no one will compensate for the dismantling. Moreover, unauthorized changes to the facade of the house may further complicate the process of selling the apartment.

To legitimize panoramic glazing, the type of execution of other balconies of the structure should be taken into account. For example, in houses built in the 80s of the last century, balcony railings are made of load-bearing concrete structures that cannot be demolished. It is also worth noting that in practice, the legalization of panoramic glazing is most often carried out only after the balcony has been officially connected to the residential part of the apartment.

Rice. 16. Inconsistent panoramic glazing of a balcony can lead to problems with the law.

Owner reviews

In our country, massive interest among developers in this type of glazing arose relatively recently. At first, they began to be widely used in the construction of private housing, and as window production developed and relatively inexpensive and reliable large windows entered the market, such windows increasingly began to appear on the facades of multi-story buildings.

Users who have installed panoramic windows in their houses or apartments are the most impartial judges of the quality of such glazing, since they have practical operating experience. They are happy to share their opinions on various construction forums, answering questions from interested users. Here are some reviews from them.

In apartments

Reviews from users who installed panoramic glazing in apartments in multi-storey buildings:

1. 
   For installation on load-bearing walls, permission from regulatory and operational organizations will not be issued due to a decrease in the strength of the house, and most neighbors will never approve such a redevelopment.
   It is possible to obtain permission to install such windows for balconies and loggias, subject to an agreed project.

2. Due to the wrong choice of design and improper installation, the panoramic glazing on the 6th floor is constantly “sprouting” cracks.
3. Panoramic glazing of old high-rise buildings is not possible, since this would require a project with half-timbered architecture, where the load would be distributed on the internal frame and not on the walls.
4. You can obtain permission for panoramic glazing of the upper floor, subject to an approved project.
5. In winter, such windows create large heat losses; no standard vertical indoor system can compensate for them.

Reviews can be read here, here and here.

In private buildings

Reviews from private owners regarding installed panoramic windows are more positive:

1. It's very beautiful and comfortable.
2. They are easy to care for, just like regular PVC windows.
3. For cold climate areas, you need to install two windows together or an energy-efficient double-glazed window.
4. A more difficult issue for the operation of such windows is an effective autonomous heating system.
5. The suburbs will require a reliable burglary alarm system.
6. French windows strongly demonstrate all construction defects, especially in the area of ​​walls and floors; it is better to install them on balconies, verandas and terraces.
7. To keep the house from cooling too much, you need to install triple glazed windows.
8. If there are small children, there must be restrictive bars.
9. Domestic GOST limits the glazing area to 6 m2, and for opening sashes to 2.5 m2.
10. If the customer wants to install large windows, the window system providers do not provide a guarantee due to the load on the profile and fittings.
11. A house with panoramic wooden windows is very warm because it retains heat well.
12. For safety, the double-glazed window must have either tempered glass or triplex.
13. For warm panoramic glazing, the profile series must be at least 70mm and I-glass with energy-saving coating.

Reviews in detail here and here.

Criterias of choice

The choice of glazing type depends on 2 factors:

1. Climatic zone.
2. Method of using the premises.

Some residents use the balcony space as an office, greenhouse, or use it to expand the room. If the house is located in a region with cold winters, frame glazing is used.

A balcony with frame glazing can be converted into a relaxation room or office.

It is better to glaze a balcony in the form of an isolated room, used as an observation deck, using the frameless method.

Additional recommendations

On the balcony it is convenient to use infrared film as a heating device. Due to its small thickness, it takes up virtually no space, and its power can reach 220 W/sq. m. Films are attached to the floor and ceiling, and in the loggia - also on the side walls.

In regions with cold climates, the power of such heaters may not be enough to prevent the window from fogging up. Here, in addition to films, it is recommended to install an in-floor convector along the glass. It is impossible to make a niche in the slab, so they build a wooden floor on joists.

It can be made flush with the threshold, which will give about 200 mm of height. If there are hatches, the underground space can be used to store 1 and 1.5 liter cans of preserves.