Glazing with panoramic windows

Panoramic windows are becoming more and more popular every year. This type of glazing instantly transforms the facade, gives the maximum amount of natural light, visually expands and "unloads" the internal space. However, the specific design of the large window dictates certain requirements for installation and operation. What these requirements are, and what you need to know for installing panoramic windows in an apartment and a private house, read in this article.

What is Panoramic Glazing

Windows are called panoramic if they are large and occupy allspace from floor to ceiling. Roughly speaking, it is a glass exterior wall of a house or apartment. A large area of ​​glazing allows you to make the room as light and spacious as possible. However, for the same reason, panoramic windows are subject to a greater risk of cold penetration and extraneous noise, so their design is qualitatively different from conventional double-glazed windows.

Only in case of correct installation it is possible to achieve effective heat and sound insulation, therefore, having no relevant experience, it is better to entrust this work to professionals. If you want to install large panoramic windows in an apartment or a private house, keep in mind that just like you enjoy a wide panorama, passers-by will be able to fully consider what is happening in your home. Not that this is an obvious drawback, however, the contemplation of a stylish interior with expensive furniture can serve as a clear challenge for thieves and scammers, so you should immediately take care of security measures. Hide or hide from prying eyes will help tint or coating with a mirror image.

But if you think that a thief can break a panoramic window by throwing a stone at him or hacking it, we hasten to calm you down. Such constructions are made of high-strength tempered glass and, in addition, they are covered with protective anti-shock films. If the window is equipped with opening parts, you can put an alarm on it.

Panoramic window reliably protects from noise, so even if you live in the neighborhood of a motorway or a children's playground, you will not be disturbed by extraneous sounds. Also, through such a window, a lot of light and heat comes in. And if everything is excellent in the first case, then the excess heat in the summer can not only cause discomfort, but also lead to burnout of parquet, carpet, wallpaper, withering of the shade-loving indoor plants. When planning glazing with panoramic windows, immediately take care of suitable curtains or blinds. It is logical that the southern sunny side is better not to choose. Very beautiful look vertical blinds and Roman curtains, and not to overload the situation, you can hang airy tulle or curtains of light organza.

If you want to put a whole panoramic window, be prepared for the fact that you have to learn how to wash it. To do this, you will need to purchase a special mop to cover the entire area. If you live in a multi-storey building, care for the glass should be carried out very carefully. In addition, a large window will necessarily form condensation in the winter, especially if the ventilation system in the house is faulty and the window does not provide micro-ventilation.

The most important drawback is that the installation of panoramic windows requires legal agreement with the relevant authorities. In fact, at its core the window will replace the external wall of the house, and this is a serious re-planning.

Types of panoramic glazing

Depending on the materials used for the manufacture of panoramic windows, the types of glazing also vary. So, there is a cold and warm glazing. In the first case, the profile is made of metal, or the window does not have a frame at all. Then there is no need to talk about high thermal insulation, but the work will be cheaper. Cold glazing is used for verandas, loggias and balconies.

With warm glazing, as you might have guessed, the level of thermal insulation is quite high, and allows the window to replace a full-strength insulated wall. Profiles in this case are made of plastic or wood. Such panoramic windows can be seen in offices, apartments, private homes and shops. Depending on the requirements for thermal insulation, one-, two- and three-chamber glass units can be selected.

Frameless glazing

Such windows have a very original appearance, give the room and the facade lightness and airiness. Double-glazed windows are made of high-strength tempered glass with a thickness of 6 to 10 mm. The height of the product can reach 3 m or higher( individual order).

How do the glasses stay without frames? In the window opening, special guide profiles are attached, which remain invisible and securely hold the glass. The guides are placed in the lower and upper part of the opening, attached to the wall by anchor bolts and a glass packet is inserted there. It, in turn, in the profiles holds special glue and seals.

Since frameless glazing protects only from the wind, it is not to be hoped that on such a balcony or loggia it will be very warm in winter - the temperature difference is only 2-3C.If you think that the problem can be solved by installing energy-saving heat, you are forced to disappoint - it will cost several times more, but the desired effect will not.

Aluminum profiles

Lightweight and durable aluminum can be used not only for cold, but also for warm panoramic glazing. The difference is that for a cold type, a single-chamber window is inserted in the profile, and with heat, a two-chamber or three-chamber window.

The main advantage of aluminum frames is that they are very light. This is useful in cases where the balcony plate is not very strong or old and is not capable of withstanding severe loads. In addition, aluminum is resistant to temperature changes and is not subject to corrosion, it can be painted, and the profile is practically maintenance-free. The design of the aluminum window can be made both sliding, and rotary-folding, which will save a lot of free space.

Among the shortcomings can be identified the fact that the aluminum profile is quite expensive, but it is much inferior to the heat-saving characteristics of plastic or wood. If you want to focus on heat, and the rigidity of the balcony, walls or loggia allows, it is better to give preference to the types of glazing listed below.

Metal-plastic glazing

Plastic profiles, like aluminum, are easy and accurate. They are easy to take care of, and a variety of mosquito nets are supplied. However, plastic is prone to deformation under the influence of high and low temperatures - from the heat it expands, from the cold - narrows. For this reason, the dimensions of the panoramic window are limited and make up no more than 210x90 cm. Weight is also limited to 80 kg.

Plastic is not very strong material, and a large window from floor to ceiling must withstand all kinds of loads. Therefore, during installation, it is necessary to use a profile with reinforced reinforcement, as well as an impost, which significantly increases the weight of the entire structure. To make a window, connect several small segments, between which have an expansion joint, and this prevents a full-fledged broad overview.

Wooden profiles

For the same reasons as in the case of plastic profiles, the dimensions of wooden products are limited to 280x80 cm. With a decrease in height, the width can be increased, which allows creating creative designs of panoramic windows.

Important point: To avoid the risk of decay and deformation of wooden profiles from temperature drop and condensate, it is necessary to give preference to hardwood products. It is also recommended to treat the surface with antiseptic compounds every year.

The glued profile lasts much longer than the one made from a single piece of wood. It has the best insulation characteristics, practically is not subject to damage, but also costs more expensively. To maintain it in proper condition, it is enough to update the paintwork every year.

Features of Panoramic Glazing

House with panoramic windows - it's very beautiful, but to get such beauty, you either have to pay a tidy sum, or have a good work yourself. Technically, the design is quite complex, and only a professional can handle this work. First of all, the safety of the tenants and the protective characteristics of the window depends on the correct installation.

Any panoramic window consists of a double-glazed window and a profile - a frame, which must withstand the weight of this double-glazed unit. In this situation, a strict sequence of choices is provided - first it is necessary to choose a double-glazed window, and already depending on its weight and characteristics - the profile.

When choosing a double-glazed unit, pay attention to its dimensions, thickness, total weight and formula. Each glass unit has its own formula. Take for example the following data: 4х14х4х14х4Топ, С / П40( wide, warm double-glazed window).Here the first figure is the thickness of the outer glass, the second is the width of the intermediate frame between the outer and central panes, that is, the width of the chamber. The next figure means the thickness of the central glass, then again comes the width of the intermediate frame, but already between the central and inner windows, well, the last figure, as you can already understand, is the thickness of the inner glass. The "Top" marking means that the glass is covered with an energy-saving film, and the S / P40 is the sum of all layers of the glass unit, which gives its overall width.

As we have already mentioned, panoramic windows are made of high-strength tempered glass. For cottages, verandas and private houses there is no need to choose the thickest product - 5-6 mm is enough. Tempered glass becomes after a special heat treatment, as a result of which it acquires incredible strength, resistance to temperature changes and the ability to withstand heavy loads.

The following design features will help you when selecting and installing panoramic windows:

1. Pay attention to the distance between the panes. If the distance inside the insulating glass unit exceeds 25 mm, it will not protect from the cold. Moreover, with a low thermal insulation capacity, such a wide window will be very expensive. The optimal distance between the glasses is 10-16 mm.
2. The dimensions of the insulating glass unit are also of decisive importance. Due to the specific features of the design and the impact of natural physical factors, it is not recommended to install windows with dimensions of pain of 3x3.2 m. The same rule applies to large-sized products with a narrow distance jumper. When the air temperature decreases, the air volume inside the insulating glass unit becomes smaller, as a result of which they are pressed against each other. If they press strongly enough, they can "slip", and this is fraught with cracks, depressurization and destruction of the structure.
3. If you are going to put panoramic windows on the sunny side, choose tinted in the mass of the glass. Green retain up to 65% of the sun's rays, and bronze - up to 60%.
   
4. Mirror glasses hold up to 65% of the sun's rays with a heat absorption of 10%( like ordinary glass).This is the best option for installation on the sunny side of the house.
5. Energy-saving double-glazed windows will significantly reduce the cost of heating, especially in a private house. But they will bring tangible benefits only in the case of warm glazing.
6. Pay attention to the chamberiness of the insulating glass. For residential buildings and apartments it is better not to choose single-chamber products, because they practically do not protect against noise and cold. Two-chamber is enough to create a cozy and warm atmosphere in the room.
7. If you are in need of reliable housing protection, it makes sense to install armored double-glazed windows.

When you choose a double-glazed window, you can choose the appropriate profile for it. Such products for panoramic windows have special requirements. First, the profile should be capable of accommodating wide double-glazed windows up to 50 mm. Secondly, it should be reinforced, that is, have a metal amplifier inside to resist wind and static loads. Thirdly, the profile must have a low thermal conductivity in order to minimize heat loss.

The image below shows profiles from popular manufacturers and their characteristics:

Apartments with panoramic windows will be admired by all passers-by, and you can proudly say that you live in a house with an exclusive design. However, as you have already seen, it is not so easy to acquire such beauty, and taking care of it requires a certain skill. Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, more and more people prefer to decorate their homes with original windows from floor to ceiling.

Panoramic windows: photo

Finally we suggest that you once again make sure of the beauty and originality of projects with panoramic windows and see a small photo selection.