Windows should act like “infinity pools” in my belief. They should be the connection between homes and the external environment, providing a sense of unison to your eyesight when it streams through the outer world via these very windows. Windows can take many avatars and can also come in a range that covers the extremes of antique and contemporary. Before choosing the exterior window style it might pay to glance at some of these tips.
Be in sync with the design and architecture of your home
Windows should complement the existing architecture of your home rather than being set in a contrast or a unique style of their own. As an example, if you go for clerestory windows for a home that oozes out antique setting, it will not make an aesthetic cut. It will serve you well to look at the structural orientation of your home before choosing its exterior window style.
Maximise air and sun
Use windows that maximise sunlight and natural air. This is one reason why it is important to look at the floor plan. In fact, even floor plans are altered to make way for north-facing windows. To benefit most from the mighty ball of fire, you need to use really big windows on the northern side (I am addressing readers largely based in Australia/Southern Hemisphere here).
Windows incorporating solar cells
Today, with the unique possibilities opened up by solar energy, it might be a great idea to go for windows that can incorporate solar cells within them. It might be a little whimsical to think of rotating homes which fetch sunlight at any given hour yet (unless prefabricated as a customised product for a cost of millions) but at least windows which can maximise solar potential can certainly be on your shopping menu.
Treating heritage windows
If you have an old window, remember it may not be a worthy venture replacing it completely. After all, it may have heritage value. Weather-stripping, caulking, storm-window retrofits and various other options can make such windows energy-efficient while keeping the aesthetic spark alive.
Application-controlled windows
I have read a lot about application-controlled windows which can change their opacity simply by a flick of the remote or tap of the iPhone screen. Almost all that I have heard in this regard is pleasant to my ears. You may be able to add another dimension of technology to your life by using such windows. Based on the time of the day and your need for privacy (or otherwise), you can select your opacity- avant garde idea really!
Windows are an all-important renovation project. The need is to give them due emphasis. A poorly done window may bleed energy, look dull aesthetically and be short on safety parameters too.
Have you used retrofit options for your windows or redone them through scratch?
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