Panoramic windows: description of design, advantages and disadvantages. France to the masses: panoramic glazing

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 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 it is 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 of 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?

To create load-bearing structures for panoramic windows, manufacturers use plastic, aluminum, wood, metal, and glass expanded clay.

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 metallic shimmer structural elements, this can be easily achieved by decorative painting or sewing 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 price metal racks, this is one of the main disadvantages of the considered panoramic glazing option.

Wooden

Framed panoramic glass wooden racks meet very often. 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. The external features of the material 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 “overboard” there is a lot of vegetation or a 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 from 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, and not 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 placed in easy mode ventilation);
• 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 an original but practical facade. Naturally, a significant part of the customers of such houses are attracted not so much by the opportunity to almost not use artificial lighting in a room with a panoramic window, but by the wide-format glazing, which 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.

The fusion with the world is felt even more in houses where, with panoramic glazing, there are 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 having decided to arrange a living room or winter Garden, 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, such an extraordinary solution will “eat” more than one square meter usable 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 the cold and warm seasons, the desired form of glazing.

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 does not “leak 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 you cannot use a double-glazed window with two air chambers, since due to the large area this option will be very heavy. Every square meter similar 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 window 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 amounts on support? 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 typical two-story houses temperature imbalance, 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. In addition, 99% of such a heating system is 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 wouldn’t hurt to provide the opportunity enhanced heating 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 to penetrate deep into the room.

As additional option, which allows you to save on heating without sacrificing the comfort of people in the house, you can use units for forced ventilation with a 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 real views, 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. Restrictions on PVC forms they do not have double-glazed windows, so finished products can be produced in almost any configuration. But at the same time, the rule must be observed: no angle in the windows should be less than 30 degrees, and the minimum radius in the arched structure should not fall below 30 cm. And when ordering something like that, you need to be prepared to pay for an exclusive version of the product.

For admirers 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 take into production 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.

The range of 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 wooden linings with fastening according to the “sliding fit” scheme will help correct the situation.

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.

Panoramic windows are a modern hit in interior design. Indeed, windows from the ceiling to the floor make the room much wider, richer, more luxurious, brighter and more original. But besides all this, such glazing can also cause a lot of trouble: you just have to remember that such windows are of French origin. Their homeland is Provence, where the temperature does not drop below +7 degrees even in winter. It is in this feature that it is worth looking for a catch.

It’s worth noting right away that panoramic windows the width of the entire wall or part of it will be appropriate only where they were designed in advance: these are either modern new buildings or private houses. In this case, such windows do not stand out from the overall architectural ensemble. Unfortunately, many owners of apartments in ordinary high-rise buildings, wanting to make their apartment special, knock out the walls, thereby damaging not only the strength of the house, but also its appearance. Although many of our houses are far from ideal, panoramic windows can further ruin their appearance.

Advantages and disadvantages of panoramic windows

If, however, the opportunity to use panoramic windows presents itself, then they can become a bright element of your room. The main advantages of such windows are:

1. An unsurpassed view from the window, because with a panoramic window you can see the park, lake, mountains, and landscape of the metropolis outside the window in full scale, and they will not be hidden by the usual outlines of ordinary windows.
2. Such windows provide increased illumination, so the interior will be perceived completely differently, and even before sunset the room will be quite light.
3. Nature, if it is outside the window, seems to become closer to you, which at a pace modern world sorely missed.

But at the same time, panoramic windows can also play a not very good role. Their main disadvantages include:

What to consider before installation?

If all the shortcomings do not bother you, and you still want to install panoramic windows, because they also have a lot of advantages, then you need to be prepared for the many questions and problems that are caused by the installation of such windows.

note that glass is cold material , and in winter, due to the difference in temperatures inside and outside the room, a zone with cold air appears near the glass, which is especially unpleasant if you like to sit near the window. Therefore, it will be necessary to provide heating for this area. There are a lot of options: a convector under the floor right in the area near the window, or tubular radiators, or simply choose heated windows, which is effective, but quite expensive.

If there is a child in the house, then safety You can provide it simply by choosing a design with an increased number of rods and partitions so that he cannot stick his head in or climb out through a window.

It will also be necessary to decide with design and materials of use. The frame itself can be made of plastic, wood and aluminum. Naturally, it is believed that metal and wood are much stronger than PVC, but there are exceptions: in some cases, plastic even wins in strength, especially since it is not as cold as aluminum and is not as susceptible to precipitation as wood.

As for the design, size of the window and its configuration, then it is worth starting not so much from the interior design, but from the facade of the house - it is this that will tell you where and how logical it is to use this or that type of glazing.

Next we decide on opening method. The most common methods are:

• tilt and turn - the most popular, allows you to both swing the structure and open it slightly for easy ventilation;
• parallel-sliding - provides excellent tightness and thermal insulation, but the seals quickly fail, so you need to prepare for frequent repairs;
• accordion folding - quite rare way, which is suitable for warmer regions, since it cannot provide reliable thermal insulation. But in this way you can completely move the entire window, leaving a huge opening in the wall, which can be very useful in some cases;
• Lift-and-slide type is the most functional, sealed, silent, warm and reliable, but is quite expensive.

Don’t forget about such a window design element as curtains: they may be absent altogether according to your design idea. Otherwise, you need to immediately consider the possibility of attaching the cornice to the ceiling or wall, and in the case of Roman or roller blinds, be prepared that with the slightest turn of one sash, the entire structure will make a lot of noise, but do you need it?

In general, panoramic windows are very beautiful, but such beauty in the house requires a serious approach both during design and in window care, so be prepared for this in advance.

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.

Use in construction residential buildings panoramic windows are a relatively recent phenomenon, but have already managed to take root and demonstrate their 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 of the required size are usually installed.
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 - special tempered glass is used for such windows, 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 short, these nuances should be taken into account in advance, since they are of decisive importance.

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 heat problem in summer time year, and the first one 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 successful 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. Huge selection 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 blind, which will rattle and sway if even one is open casement.

Watch an interesting video about panoramic windows and their features:

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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

Unfortunately, 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 an integrated approach to achieve an effective 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 vertical profiles window frame and prevent the passage of hot heat into the room sun rays, and frosty air. 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 the inside of the room. With a large glazing area, creating a curtain will reduce overall heating costs. We described modern thermal curtain technologies in more detail 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 thermal curtain in front of the window. Slot convectors, long wave infrared heaters, warm baseboard, warm film floor - any of these methods are suitable for combating glass icing.

To create a curtain of warm air, heaters can be mounted in the floor under the window, on the ceiling, walls around windows, in window slopes or window sill. 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 be aware of 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 they are glazed upper floors buildings. 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

The presence of a glass wall in the room limits the possibilities for 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. Some simpler problems furnishings are decided 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 environments, this is a very good way to hide your personal life. If you don’t want to curtain your 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 off 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. Panoramic windows are those that are large in size and completely occupy the spatial area from the ceiling to the floor surface.

Panoramic glazing is steadily gaining popularity, increasing year by year. This glazing option effectively and almost instantly transforms the external appearance of the facade, promotes penetration maximum quantity sun rays and natural set, “unloads” and also visually expands inner space premises. However design features large windows determine specific requirements for installation installation and subsequent operation. What are these requirements, what are the nuances and what you need to know about the proper installation of panoramic window designs in a private house or apartment, we will consider in detail below.

Panoramic windows, panoramic glazing - what kind of innovation is this?

Panoramic windows are those that are large in size and completely occupy the spatial area from the ceiling to the floor surface. Simply put, such structures are a glass facade (usually) wall in an apartment or house. The large glass area created contributes to the creation of a spacious and maximally bright room. Although, for the same reason, large windows are susceptible to vulnerability, greater possibility of cold penetration into the room and increased noise permeability. These features qualitatively distinguish large glass structures from classic double-glazed windows.

Proper installation and proper operation can minimize the disadvantages of panoramic windows. It is possible to obtain effective sound and heat insulation, therefore, without proper experience and relevant knowledge, this work must be entrusted to professionals from specialized companies.

Attention! If you plan to install panoramic windows for round-the-clock admiration of panoramic views, then you need to take into account the “reverse effect” - all passers-by will be able to see any actions and movements inside the house, including personal nightly vicissitudes!

This may not be considered a fatal flaw; many people even like this posing. However, the entire situation will be visible in detail, which may attract intruders, so you need to take care of the simultaneous installation reliable system security

Advice! Glass with reverse mirror reflection or high-quality tinting will help you effectively hide from street observers!

Advantages of panoramic glazing

The main advantages of large glass windows include:

1. If there are doubts about the strength of the glass and there are fears that any hooligan can easily break it with a pebble, then this is not so. Glass structures with large areas are made exclusively from tempered high-strength glass with special coatings from high-strength films.
2. When the structure is made with opening parts, an appropriate alarm is installed on it.
3. Reliably protects the panoramic window from various noise, even if the house or apartment is located near highways, children's complexes, tram lines, etc. Extraneous sounds will not interfere or disturb.
4. When the windows are oriented to the sunny side, a lot of heat and natural light enters through it. Good illumination is a great advantage, but thermal permeability in hot summers can cause inconvenience - stuffiness, death of plants, deformation finishing materials etc. Therefore, it is necessary to provide blinds or curtains made of thick material in advance.

Disadvantages of panoramic windows

1. You should immediately take into account that if all-sheet panoramic glass is installed, it will require adequate care, and cleaning such a structure is not easy. This will require special wide tools covering a large area. Washing on a high floor will be especially difficult, for which it is better to hire high-rise cleaners who have specialized knowledge and related equipment.
2. IN winter time Condensation frost will certainly form regularly, which must be cleaned off frequently. The microventilation system built into the window will help to avoid it.
3. The most significant disadvantage is obtaining many bureaucratic permits and approvals from various departments for the installation of panoramic windows. This is understandable, since a large area of ​​glass will replace a certain part load-bearing wall. Because of this, some general load-bearing redesign of the entire building will be required.
4. Well, of course, large special glasses, their installation and maintenance require large financial investments and operating costs.

Types of panoramic glazing

Panoramic glasses are manufactured using different component recipes, which determines the existence of several types. So, they distinguish:

• cold glazing - the profile part for the glass is made of metal, and sometimes the frame frame is completely absent. Here there is no need to talk about sufficient thermal insulation, but there is an advantage - the material and installation will cost significantly less. Cold glazing is used on balconies, loggias and verandas;
• warm glazing - as is clear from the designation, there is high level thermal insulation, allowing such a window to replace a well-insulated wall. In this case, the profiles are made of wood or plastic. Such panoramic windows are often found in shops, private homes, offices and apartments. At the request of the customer and the required level of thermal insulation, a double-glazed window can be made with any number of chambers.

Features of different glazing options

Let's consider the most common and popular types of glazing with a detailed analysis of their distinctive features.

1. Frameless glazing

Windows created using this method have an incredibly original appearance. They give the facade and the room a certain airiness and lightness. Double-glazed windows are made from high-strength tempered glass with sheet thickness from 6.5 to 10.0 mm. The height parameter of the product can sometimes reach 3.0 m, and individual projects and higher.

Holding such large glasses without framing frames occurs due to a special installation technology. Special guide metal profiles are installed on the edges of the window opening, which remain outwardly invisible. They hold the glass sheet tightly. Guide elements are placed in the upper and lower parts of the surface of the window opening. All parts are attached to the wall with anchor-type bolts, and then a double-glazed window is inserted into the structure, which is secured with seals and special glue.

Since frameless glazing can only protect from wind, there is no need to rely on comfortable temperature conditions on the balcony (loggia) in winter - the temperature difference will be only 2.5–32 C.

Clue! If you come up with the idea of ​​solving this problem by installing energy-saving glass, then this is an absolutely ineffective and costly idea - the desired heat will not be produced, and the cost will increase greatly!

2. Aluminum profiles

A durable and lightweight metal, aluminum can be used for both cold and warm types of panoramic glazing. The main difference is the number of chambers of double-glazed windows installed. So, with cold glazing, single-chamber glass is installed in the profile, and with warm glazing, two- or three-chamber glass is inserted.

Main advantage aluminum frames lies in their lightness. This property is useful for fragile balcony slabs that are unable to withstand significant loads. Also, aluminum is very resistant to heat changes and is not at all susceptible to destructive corrosion. A profile made from it requires virtually no maintenance, and if necessary, the surface of the material can be painted with any paint. The aluminum structure, if desired, can be built as a tilt-and-turn or sliding structure, which will significantly save space in limited areas (balconies, loggias).

The disadvantages include the fact that aluminum profiles are expensive and have worse heat-saving properties compared to wooden or plastic counterparts.

Take into account! When the emphasis is on warmth and the strength of the walls, loggia or balcony allows it, preference should be given to “heavier” glazing options!

3. Metal-plastic glazing

Like aluminum, plastic profiles are characterized by neatness and lightness. They do not require special care and are supplied with mosquito nets. But, there is a significant drawback - the plastic material is deformed at low and high temperatures– cold (frost from -8 C) narrows it, and heat (from +32 C) expands it. Because of this, the dimensional parameters of the panoramic window are strictly limited and amount to a maximum 210.0x90.0 cm. The weight of the structure is also limited - up to 83 kg.

Synthetic plastic is not a very strong, durable material, and a window with large dimensions (from ceiling to floor) must withstand decent loads.

Important nuance! When installing large-sized windows, it is necessary to use plastic profile, reinforced with reinforcing elements, as well as decorative supports. This will significantly strengthen the entire structure, but will also increase its weight!

If you need to create an overall window, then you need to combine several small-sized segments with the obligatory placement of expansion compensators between them, and they will reduce the width of the view.

4. Wood profiles

By analogy with the plastic version of profiles, the dimensional parameters of wood products are limited to 280.0x80.0 cm. It is possible to reduce the height of the profile, which allows you to increase its width. What technique makes it possible to form creative design ideas regarding panoramic windows.

Relevant! To eliminate the possibility of deformation, rotting of wooden profiles or their cracking from the effects of thermal changes and wet condensation, you need to choose products from hard, coniferous wood!

Every year, special treatment is required - impregnation of the entire surface of the profiles with special antiseptic solutions.

When the profile is made of glued material, its service life is significantly extended. This design is characterized by improved insulating properties and is almost not subject to destruction processes. These unique features have made such profiles very expensive. Its proper condition is easy to maintain - it is enough to renew the coating of paint and varnish materials once a year.

Conclusion

Apartments and houses equipped with panoramic windows will undoubtedly evoke genuine admiration from both friends and passers-by. The owner of the building can be proud of the exclusive design!

However, it is not easy to acquire such a remarkable design, and comprehensive care it requires a lot of strength and a certain skill.

Leaving these difficulties aside, more and more people want to “stand out” beautifully and decorate their homes with extravagant ceiling-to-floor windows!

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