What if rooms had a conscience, a heart, a range of emotions? How would they then choose to scream in joyous rapture? I am sure they would have let off that delight through windows. Windows complete a room. It gives them their connecting pathway to the outside world. My fondness for windows date back to the time my mother feared my proximity to them (I faintly remember the windows being short on sturdy flyscreens).
In the last few years, whenever an opportunity has presented itself I have not shied away from telling others the wonderful scope of windows in our homes. Within the ambit of this article, let me discuss how window designs can subtly influence your entire home design.
Picture perfect frames for the world outside
They are the perfect frame for the outside world. They alienate the outside view from the inside world and thus create a permeable barrier which can be passed through just by opening them in their full bloom.
Whether you just need to unhinge the windows or remove that honeycomb blind on top of them, the moment you do the needful, a smartly installed window will bring forth an extended natural space for your eyes. Yes, this only if the view outside is redeeming enough.
Use windows which merge with existing home decor
What windows you choose will depend on the kind of room you have. It is significant for rooms to complement windows and vice versa. Let us say you have a room with very high ceilings. Here, you will do well to rope in those clerestory windows which start at the height of the eye.
Not only do they allow maximum sunlight into your homes, they also create an illusion of space; nice illusion to harbour in times when space is at a premium.
Skylights for embellishing attics
You can use windows in the shape of skylights. In my small capacity, I have helped many of my clients benefit from this idea. It opens a road to beautiful improvisations in your attic.
If you are lucky enough to live in a sustainable building using passive solar heating programs, you will be well served by skylights too.
Solar improvisation
Windows can be the fulcrum points of your solar effort. If your roof is not large enough to facilitate installation of solar panels, you can use windows that can incorporate solar cells on their external periphery.
Check your floor plan doubly well
Go through your floor plan thoroughly and ensure that you lay emphasis on the orientation of your home. A strategically placed window can have a lot of bearing on the comfort gradient of your home. I will suggest you use massive windows on the northern flank to maximise entry of sunlight and air.
Bonus tip- if you have an old home with old windows, do not lose out on its heritage value by replacing the windows. Alternately, try retrofit options available in the market today and go for caulking and weather-stripping to strengthen the old frames.
Have you used window spaces strategically in your home?