Panoramic windows in an apartment: 15 questions and answers + photos

Who hasn't dreamed of an apartment with panoramic windows and breathtaking views of the city? Many developers started with completely “transparent” balconies and loggias, and now you can easily find proposals in new residential complexes that implement the concept of floor-to-ceiling panoramic glazing, or with windows of unusually large sizes.

Panoramic windows: pros and cons

Large windows in an apartment mean space and comfort, light and lightness. This is an opportunity to be closer to nature, the city, while being in a warm and cozy place. This solution looks stylish and modern. The height offers a beautiful view at any time of the day. Not to mention, with floor-to-ceiling windows, you can forget about artificial lighting until sunset.

Admiring the beautiful landscapes, we relax, forget for a while about problems and worries, and our emotions become calmer and happier.

What are panoramic windows?

Panoramic windows are a type of glazing, the size of which occupies the entire surface of the wall or 2/3 of it, and the height extends from the floor to the ceiling. A panoramic window can be located not only on one wall, but also on two or have a corner design. France, or rather its province called Provence, is considered the birthplace of unusual windows. It was there that such large windows were first used to decorate the facades of buildings. Therefore, they are often called “French”.

A panoramic window can transform even the cramped room and fill it with a feeling of limitless space. We can say that today it is a symbol of prestige and an indicator of the presence of a sense of style in the owner of the home. Sometimes the desire to equip such an element in your apartment takes the form of an obsession, and a person, in pursuit of beautiful views, simply refuses to think rationally. To ensure that your decision is balanced and thoughtful, we will consider in detail all aspects of using panoramic windows in an apartment.

When is it advisable to use panoramic glazing?

Considering that the very name of this type of glazing implies the presence of a beautiful panorama outside the window, the answer is more than obvious. In France, such windows certainly opened up a view of a winter garden, a beautiful park or cozy square, a beautifully landscaped courtyard or other green area. The idea was to create a feeling of unity with nature. Agree, in busy modern life it is very rare to find time for a leisurely walk in the park or just down the street. We are constantly in a hurry somewhere - to work, shopping, back home, so that we can quickly finish our household chores and finally lie down.

Therefore, the desire to equip large windows must be supported
by the presence of a beautiful landscape behind them.

This is a good solution in so-called “view” apartments. Usually they are located on the upper floors of multi-storey buildings, from the windows of which there is a view of the river, forest belt or simply the city. Most often these are houses in new areas that are just developing. If so, you may be in for some surprises. Let's say that now you are more than satisfied with the view from your windows. But if the area is still being built up, there is a chance that soon the same high-rise building will rise in front of your windows and completely block the attractive panorama. To prevent this from happening, you can try to get a plan of the area from the developer and carefully study it.
The opposite situation is also possible - when from your windows you see an old abandoned building. Such a landscape is undoubtedly annoying and causes a feeling of despondency. However, it is possible that a project has already been developed to demolish this building and organize a park area or a beautiful alley. Such moments are also worth taking an interest in.
The floor also plays an important role. Remember that not only does a vast panorama open in front of you, but also what is happening inside your apartment is clearly visible from the street. This is especially true for residents of lower floors. Plus, the view outside the window in most cases will be unremarkable. Then does it make sense to spend money on a panoramic window if you have to constantly curtain it with thick curtains?

As you can see, in order to fully enjoy your decision to install panoramic glazing, it is necessary that your house has a good location, and the number of floors allows you not to be hidden from the annoying glances of random passers-by.

Decor and textiles for the design of panoramic windows

The choice of decorative elements and textiles for a panoramic window directly depends on the style of the room. One popular option is to use dark film. To create coziness, Roman blinds can be attached to the top of the frame. They roll up and remain invisible, but provide good protection from the sun and prying eyes. These curtains are suitable for all styles.

In a Scandinavian interior, it is better to cover a panoramic window with curtains with geometric patterns. Textiles made from natural materials are suitable for Japanese and eco-style. Linens made of beige linen or white cotton look organic.

You can decorate panoramic windows with curtains, Roman blinds, and canvases made from natural materials. The main thing is that the textiles fit into the interior.

In luxurious classic interiors, curtains are hung over the entire window. Tulle, thick curtains, lambrequins - all this looks beautiful on panoramic double-glazed windows. However, such a rich design is only suitable for large rooms, and not for one-room apartments.

The glass can be left transparent or decorated stylishly. To create a special mood in the interior, they are often covered with colored film or painted with stained glass paints. On the glass in the loft-style living room you can draw the outlines of houses, and in the nursery - butterflies, in the kitchen in the Provence direction - lavender and lemons. The fittings and material from which the window frames are made must also be combined with the interior and not stand out from it.

Panoramic windows are a good solution for those who feel cramped in their apartment. With the help of such glazing you can change the usual interior, make the room more “airy”, add light to it. Windows are installed in any premises, but they are best suited for apartments on the upper floors of multi-storey buildings and country houses overlooking a forest or lake. Panoramic glazing expands the boundaries of the room and helps you look at familiar things differently.

What are panoramic windows made of?

Depending on the materials to make the frame, panoramic windows can be of two types:

Cold - when aluminum or other metal is used as the profile material. In this case, there may be no frames at all. This significantly reduces the cost, but frameless windows do not retain heat well and insulate noise. Therefore, they are most often used for glazing balconies or loggias. But due to its lightness and high strength, aluminum profiles are in great demand. This is also a good option for glazing verandas or terraces in a private house. Aluminum windows are designed for consumers with average income;
Warm windows involve the use of materials such as plastic or wood. For the frame, glued laminated timber of such species as oak, larch or pine is usually used. The array is not used due to its tendency to deform. The undoubted advantage of wooden panoramic windows is that they provide constant ventilation in the room even when closed. It is this fact that pushes many to make such an expensive purchase. However, we should not forget about the increased care requirements of wooden products. Plastic profile is used most often. This material is easy to process and allows you to produce frames of any configuration. At the same time, plastic frames are durable and affordable. The plastic profile allows you to install 3 or more chamber double-glazed windows. This allows you to choose the optimal price/quality ratio and the desired level of heat and noise insulation.

Despite the fact that aluminum is traditionally used for cold glazing, modern technologies have made it possible to use it for warm windows. The secret lies in a special design, where there is a thermal insulation layer between the outer and inner profiles. An aluminum profile with a so-called thermal break or thermal bridge is approximately similar in cost to a wooden profile.

French style windows and doors: views

Modern French Windows are distinguished by a variety of materials for manufacturing and methods of opening: models can have almost any appearance at the request of the customer. Which options are the most popular?

The variety of models of French windows allows you to fit them even into an eclectic interior.

Materials

A variety of materials for French-style window frames allows you to choose the ideal option for any need and budget. Let's look at each type in more detail.

Vintage French windows in a historical building in Paris

1. Wooden. An eco-friendly and safe natural material that is ideal for interiors with an atmosphere of closeness to nature: choose it for design in Scandinavian style, Provence, rustic, boho. Such windows are resistant to temperature changes, retain heat well and are well ventilated. The noble texture makes these models the center of attention, and the ease of coloring allows you to give them absolutely any shade. The disadvantages include the need to regularly update the coating (paint, moisture-repellent impregnation) and the high cost.

French windows made of wood in the interior of a bedroom in the Art Deco style, photo by A. Ivanov

French-style sliding door made of wood in the interior of a country house

French-style panoramic glazing with wooden frames in the dining room

2. Plastic. The most budget option: plastic frames are cheaper than all others on the modern market. Such models are sealed, which provides excellent heat and sound insulation, and are also very easy to use and maintain - they do not require any maintenance after installation. However, tightness is also a disadvantage: a greenhouse effect can be created in the room. In addition, PVC cannot withstand sudden changes in temperature (it can crack) and is highly electrified, attracting dust, so plastic frames have to be washed frequently.

Laconic French doors made of plastic look appropriate in any interior

Plastic French doors in black are especially popular in modern design.

French windows and doors made of white plastic are the most versatile

3. Aluminum. Aluminum is a lightweight and easy-to-work material that allows you to make thin and elegant frames of any size that transmit maximum light and do not increase the load on the building supports. This is an excellent option for glazing large spaces: terraces, balconies and loggias. Aluminum frames for panoramic windows and doors look harmonious in industrial-style interiors and fashionable lofts. But this design retains heat worse than others and has the highest cost.

Aluminum French doors match black accents in this bathroom

Aluminum frames for French windows can be very thin

Aluminum French windows are great for doors to the terrace of a private house

4. Fiberglass composite (fiberglass). The most modern material for the production of window structures, which combines the advantages of plastic and aluminum. It is light and durable, non-toxic, does not deform due to temperature changes and does not fade in the sun (important for colored frames), has high fire resistance and excellent thermal insulation. Among the disadvantages, the most significant is the rigidity of this material, which does not allow the creation of curved shapes and limits the options for figured devitrification. The price of such models is slightly higher than plastic ones, but noticeably lower than aluminum ones.

Fiberglass French windows can be of any shade, including wood

French windows and doors made of glass composite are visually similar to plastic ones

French windows made of glass composite are reliable and easy to use

Opening method

Since such models primarily provide free passage from one space to another, there are fewer options for opening French doors than classic windows. But there is still a choice: possible types of mechanisms are listed below.

You need to choose the type of opening for French windows based on the size of the room and its style.

1. Swing. Hinged window designs are a classic: they are easy to manufacture, versatile and quite inexpensive (compared to other options). However, it is worth remembering that to open such a sash you need free space, and the wider it is, the more space it requires. Make sure that objects in the room do not interfere with opening your windows.

Hinged French windows and doors lead to a spacious terrace

Hinged French windows are ideal as an entrance door to a home.

Classic French-style casement windows in a Parisian apartment, photo by M. Giboin

If panoramic doors separate a room from a small narrow balcony or loggia, it makes sense to install models that open inward so that they do not “eat up” the already small space.

Hinged French doors to the narrow balcony here open inwards

2. Sliding. An ideal way to expand a room not only visually, but also “physically”: French-style sliding glass doors take up space only in the opening itself. Thanks to this, you can push furniture close to them (for example, a dining table and chairs) to enjoy a luxurious panoramic view up close, without preventing the doors from opening. High-quality materials ensure the tightness of this structure, which is not inferior to a classic swing one, but the price will be slightly more expensive.

Sliding French windows open up a passage to the garden of a country house

Sliding French doors save space in a small bedroom

A sliding French door allows you to combine the living room and the terrace of a private house

3. Foldable. The most expensive and difficult to implement option: folding “book” windows (or “accordions”) are not produced by every brand. This design looks very impressive. In addition, it saves space: when folded, the window almost completely frees up the opening. This is an excellent option for a country house with access to a terrace - open the panoramic doors and you will maximize the living space, completely combining it with the garden.

Folding French doors separate dining areas on the terrace and in the house

Folding French doors are used as an emergency entrance from the garden in a private house

Folding French window allows you to attach a balcony to the room

Deglazing

Any window frames (including French style) can be of two types:

The combination of French windows with different glazing in the interior, photo by S. Polyushko

solid - glass occupies the entire surface from top to bottom, without additional inserts-plates (spreads) in the frame;

Single-piece French windows provide full views of the landscape

with glazing - a window sash consists of several glasses inserted between the frames, and the glazing can be almost any (small, large, shaped).

French windows and doors with thin frames and large glazing

The choice of French Windows on this basis depends on the style of the interior and what effect you want to achieve. One-piece options offer maximum visibility and are suitable for modern styles (for example, Scandi or minimalism). Models with glazing create a beautiful play of light and shade in the room and have a slight retro mood, more appropriate in a classic style, as well as rustic and Provence.

Solid French windows are ideal for a minimalist home, photo by K. Fukui

Solid French windows in elegant frames harmoniously complement the Scandinavian interior

French windows with small glazing fit perfectly into a classic interior

French windows with original glass support the vintage mood

Which window configuration do you prefer?

According to configuration, there are three main types of panoramic windows:

Classic - familiar rectangular windows, which can have an elongated shape both vertically and horizontally. Such windows are usually installed in the most advantageous places. However, they do not necessarily have to extend from floor to ceiling. Quite the contrary, classic designs are usually made in the form of low rectangles;
Bay windows - respectively designed for installation on a protruding part of the wall. Such a move instantly visually increases the area of the room;
Corner - this type is very rare within ordinary residential apartments. This glazing looks most advantageous in spacious rooms with high ceilings.

Semicircular arch in the interior

Arched structures today are organized not only between adjacent rooms. Semicircular arches are used in the construction of windows. This type of opening is a particular type of panoramic window, because the arch is usually located on ¾ of the wall.

These types of window openings do not require additional decorative finishing, since they themselves have an advantageous design. Sometimes some of the fragments are decorated with films in the form of an interesting mosaic.

Are panoramic windows safe?

Many are convinced that such large glass structures are quite fragile and unsafe, especially for children. Of course, compared to a monolithic wall, they are less durable, but to break a panoramic window you will have to apply some force. To a large extent, safety depends on the type of glass that was used in manufacturing. It occupies at least 80% of the area.

The most expensive, but also the most durable, will be armored glass , which is almost impossible to break, no matter how hard you try. One might say that this is already overkill. Since the most common double-glazed windows are equipped with tempered glass , which has sufficient strength.
If there are children or pets in the house, choose glass with a thickness of at least 6 mm for glazing rooms with a ceiling height of up to 2.8 m, and 8 mm thick for higher rooms.
Triplex glass is considered one of the safest . Its cardinal difference lies in the presence of a thin transparent polyvinyl buteral film between two layers of shockproof glass 3 or 4 mm thick. If you still managed to break it, then the fragments will not fly away in different directions and will not injure you, but will remain on the film. Their shape will be rounded, without sharp edges.

Another integral part of panoramic glazing, which most people neglect in favor of overall aesthetics, is the installation of an external fence. Again, this is especially true for families with children. The fence is a metal lattice 50-60 cm high, which is located outside at a distance of 15-25 cm from the glass. It is designed to protect against falling out if the glass unit is damaged. There are cases when special authorities that give permission to install panoramic glass do not give permission to install fencing from the outside. In this case, you need to install it inside, directly in front of the glass. The grille can have any configuration you desire, be forged, etc. the main thing is that the distance between the bars is minimal, not allowing the child to stick his head between them.

And another erroneous opinion that has firmly taken root among the masses is that an apartment with panoramic windows is easier prey for burglars and burglars. Experts convince us that opening a panoramic window is no easier than a regular plastic one, if not more difficult. And even more so to break it.

The overall safety of the structure also affected the type of chosen . The metal-plastic profile has become widespread due to its durability and affordable cost. But compared to aluminum or wood, it has the least strength. Aluminum attracts with its strength and lightness, but has significant heat loss. Wood is the most environmentally friendly and advantageous option, and at the same time the most expensive.

The profile is attached to the wall with special anchor bolts. At this stage, it is very important to control the frequency of their location. It should be at least one bolt per length of 0.5 m, after which the installers must foam the structure with a special gun. Moreover, it is necessary to foam in several approaches and always both from the inside and the outside. Pay attention to the number of jumpers. In order not to make the structure heavier than normal, it is not recommended to break the glass unit into more than 7 parts.

The number of jumpers depends on the chosen
method of opening the window.

Which window opening method should I choose?

The most common is tilt-and-turn fittings. Allows you to install the glass in the ventilation position;
Folding like an accordion is not the best option for use in an apartment. When opened, the opening almost completely opens, moving the doors to the side. In this case, significant heat losses are observed;
The rotary-sliding system also allows you to set the glass to ventilation mode, provides high levels of tightness and thermal insulation. However, sealing materials wear out very quickly;
Lifting and sliding fittings provide high levels of noise insulation, tightness and minimal heat loss. It has a high cost.

When installing a double-glazed window over hinged or folding sections, it is necessary to install a protective fence in the form of a rod on the frame. Its height should not be less than 1 meter.

Window design options

Windows and window sills are an excellent platform for subsequent decoration. This is an excellent opportunity to increase the free space in the bedroom, organize a storage area, and a relaxation area. Interesting ideas for high-quality window design in the bedroom:

Decoration with curtains.
Installation of beautiful mosaics.
Window sill in the form of a desktop.
A place to relax.

The owner always has the opportunity to use his own imagination and ingenuity on how to decorate a window in the bedroom by organizing a small garden and a bar counter on the windowsill (especially for a bedroom with a balcony).

What's good about panoramic glazing?

It should be noted that there are fewer advantages than disadvantages. However, with the proper approach, most of the negative aspects can be eliminated. Let's start with the good:

The original purpose of panoramic windows is to provide maximum visibility. They cope with this task to the fullest. And if you have a pleasant landscape, you will receive aesthetic pleasure and a feeling of complete unity with nature;
Panoramic windows can transform and fill even the most modest room with space;
You will get the maximum amount of natural light and be able to enjoy daylight from dawn to dusk. If you think about it, this will also help you save a lot on electricity.

Are there any disadvantages to panoramic windows?

As for the negative aspects:

First of all, the high cost ;
Complex installation work that is almost impossible to do on your own. This means additional expenses;
Before installing a panoramic window, you have to go through many authorities and obtain permission . After all, in essence, such actions relate to home redevelopment. You can find contractors who install turnkey windows and handle all the paperwork themselves. In this case, get ready to spend a considerable amount for their services;
After installation, some people start complaining about psychological discomfort, which is due to the fact that everything that happens in the room is clearly visible from the street. In fact, you will always be visible. If this is really a kind of barrier for you, then it is better to refuse to install panoramic windows. Especially if they do not go to a secluded place, but to a busy street or park;
When purchasing a low-quality double-glazed window, you risk getting a very low level of sound insulation;
Serious heat loss will be added to Of course, they can be compensated by installing additional heating devices;
It should also be taken into account that in the cold season the window will radiate heat outwards with its entire surface. And in the warm season, a significantly larger amount of solar heat will pass through. This may make the room too hot;
Possibility of condensation formation ;
Cleaning a large picture window can be quite a task. Especially if you don't have a telescopic or magnetic brush. You will have to turn to professional cleaners for help, whose services are not cheap. By the way, you will have to wash your windows quite often. After all, what kind of aesthetic pleasure can we talk about if the surface of the window is covered with dust or traces of recent precipitation;

Most of the shortcomings are really easy to fix. Therefore, if the condition of your home allows you to install panoramic windows and you do not intend to save on the quality of services, you will be pleasantly pleased with the result.

Bedroom with panoramic windows – 5 photos of beautiful interiors

The design of a bedroom with panoramic windows is quite a bold decision, at first glance. But just think about what it’s like: falling asleep with a view of blooming spring trees or a fabulous snow-covered city? The landscape will constantly change - and this is much more interesting than photo wallpaper! And the problem of privacy can be easily solved with the help of thick curtains (read Fashionable curtain designs for your bedroom).

What does rendering have to do with it, and why should it be taken into account?

Another important nuance that few people take into account, especially if they are renovating a room without the help of a competent designer, is rendering. In other words, this is a play of light and the ability of finishing materials to reflect the sun's rays. A room with a large window changes dramatically. Its light pattern also changes. Due to a poor choice of materials or poor window placement, a previously sunny room can become gloomy and dull.

Why is this happening? An ordinary window is framed by a slope, which is usually painted dazzling white. Thus, light is perfectly reflected from its surface. Panoramic windows do not have such a frame. The lack of light will be especially noticeable in winter, when daylight hours are very short and sunlight is mainly reflected from the surface of the snow, i.e. directed from bottom to top. If the ceiling finish does not have reflective properties, then the room will look like the photo below.

Therefore, even before starting the renovation, you should decide exactly which window will be in the room. Some companies that install panoramic windows can immediately present you with a computer visualization of the room at different times of the year. This service costs a lot, but it allows you to emphasize the presence of a huge window in the room as advantageously as possible and build a design project in the room taking it into account.

Is it legal to install panoramic windows in an ordinary apartment?

Installing a panoramic window is equivalent to redevelopment . Accordingly, such an action should be legalized and permission should be obtained. And it’s best to do this immediately before starting all the work, so that later you don’t regret the money spent. There are several ways to install panoramic windows in an apartment:

In place of a standard window opening by expanding it;
Instead of a balcony block located between the loggia and the room;
As an option for glazing a loggia or balcony.

Let us immediately note that the last two options are the simplest and require much fewer permits. If you decide to glaze your balcony in this way, you must first insulate it well to reduce heat loss.

If you want to combine a room with a loggia in this way, you will get a lot of advantages. You do not need to demolish the wall, just remove the parapet, which is not a load-bearing structure. At the same time, you will receive more light, make the room visually more spacious and gain a couple of additional square meters. You only need to obtain permission to move the heating radiator. It is not advisable to take it out onto the loggia. Especially if it is not properly insulated. You will create a so-called cold bridge. And not only you, but also your neighbors will feel the lack of heat.

The first installation option is the most difficult from a technical point of view. In the next paragraph we will look at which types of houses allow and which do not allow you to fulfill your idea.

Window with bay window

Owners of private houses and two-story apartments will definitely appreciate window openings with a bay window. This design has an interesting look and stylish design. The building niche itself can be used to install a small soft sofa.

Thus, in addition to the advantageous landscape from the window, the owner also receives an organized cozy corner (for example, for evening reading of books and other printed materials). It is customary to decorate bay windows with expensive types of curtains, made from exquisite fabrics with relief patterns on the canvas.

In which houses can panoramic double-glazed windows be installed?

Let's look at the example of the most common buildings in our housing stock:

very old house is the most difficult case. There are two possible scenarios here. Or, after contacting the service, you will be given the answer that the house is too old and dilapidated, the slightest changes can lead to its destruction, the architect of the house has not been working for a long time and in general, you are violating the special atmosphere of the cultural heritage and spoiling its ancient facade with your modern ideas. Or, on the contrary, they will give up and give the go-ahead for the work, since in the near future the house will be prepared for demolition. In this case, everything is not so simple from a technical point of view. It may be difficult to find technical documentation for the building. And this will make it impossible to perform strength calculations, for which you need to know the thickness of the floors, parameters of building materials and mortar, etc. All this will take a long time and will require significant investment in new calculations. In this case, it would probably be more advisable to completely change your place of residence;
Brick house – a more real possibility. If only the thickness of the load-bearing walls is at least 51 cm. This occurs, but rarely. If this indicator is normal, then after receiving all paper permits and additionally strengthening the opening with planks, you will be able to install a panoramic window;
Panel Khrushchev or Brezhnev buildings, due to their dilapidation, are not conducive to such redevelopment. Moreover, given the years of their construction, they can hardly boast of a pleasant view from the windows and a good location;
Panel houses that were built after 1998 have undergone significant improvements from a technical point of view. Their construction was carried out using computer calculations for strength and many other parameters. This made it possible to ensure that even if 2/3 of the structure is destroyed, the remaining part will retain its strength. In addition, most of the new buildings were initially designed for the installation of panoramic windows. And by submitting an application to the building manager, you may be provided with a ready-made window project.

Be that as it may, the final permit is issued by an expert organization. But be prepared for the fact that she often refuses to conduct a technical examination of old buildings. And those specialists who undertake such work cost a lot of money.

Features, advantages and disadvantages

A house with panoramic glazing looks unusual and stylish. And this is exactly what attracts people in such buildings. So a memorable appearance is the first of its advantages.

There are very unusual projects

Where can you see

In private houses, panoramic glazing is installed in living rooms, less often in bedrooms. Sometimes in this way an open veranda is turned into a covered one, sometimes a winter garden is made from the premises. Another possible application is to make one of the walls of the pool glass. In general, there are many applications and they are non-standard and interesting.

Balcony with panoramic glazing - residents of high-rise buildings are provided with an excellent view

In apartment buildings, balconies or loggias are decorated with panoramic windows. It is much less common to find large windows in residential areas in high-rise buildings, but such houses do exist. True, in our country it is extremely rare.

Advantages and disadvantages

If you are thinking that it would be nice to have panoramic glazing in your home, consider the following features:

The presence of large glass means a lot of light in the room and a beautiful view that opens at any time of the day. That's a plus. But transparency works in both directions: there is also a wonderful view from the street to the room. Especially in the dark, with the lights on. And this is a minus. But it is being adjusted. The standard solution is curtains or blinds, and a non-standard solution is the use of mirrored or tinted glass. But such glass is not cheap, and these are additional costs and, given the considerable area, they are also rather large.

Being in everyone's sight - not everyone likes this prospect
One glass of thermal conductivity is much lower than the wall located nearby. Therefore, windows are made of double-glazed windows, and for central Russia they should be two-chamber (three glasses, two chambers between them). In terms of thermal conductivity, they are not inferior to a brick wall of 2 bricks with a layer of insulation (thermal conductivity coefficient is about 0.9 and it can be increased by using special glass). So fears that heating bills will be too high are unfounded.
There are concerns that large windows are easy to break. No easier than breaking through a frame wall. A house with panoramic windows is quite safe, since the glass, even in the standard version, is covered with a reinforcing film. If “completely” does not suit you, install reinforced or armored glass.
You will have to constantly take care of the glass. Dirty splashes on glass look terrible. This is worth considering.

Glass requires constant care
In the hot summer, you will have to use thick curtains, blinds, or at least light curtains that will limit the penetration of sunlight. And still, be prepared for the fact that the furniture, walls, and all furnishings will quickly fade.
There is also such a phenomenon as glass icing in winter. Even if the windows are heated, in frosty weather there will be frost on the windows. It must be cleaned regularly. You will also have to remove the snow in winter - it limits the view, although it looks great.

In general, there are both advantages and disadvantages of panoramic glazing in the house. When planning to build a house with panoramic windows, take into account such an important factor as the picturesqueness of the landscape overlooking it. If this is a neighbor’s fence, the cost of panoramic glazing is unlikely to be justified...

House with panoramic windows: features

There are also some features that cannot be classified as either advantages or disadvantages. Firstly, glass in panoramic windows can be with or without imposts (beams). Solid glass from floor to ceiling looks stylish, but is expensive, as increased demands are placed on it.

Divided windows look different, but no worse. The cost of such panoramic glazing is lower, but the division into parts by imposts must also be supported by the remaining windows (of normal size). It's worth remembering.

Panoramic windows can be made of solid glass, or from pieces separated by imposts

When planning a site, a house with panoramic windows in our latitudes is recommended to be positioned so that a large glass area faces south with an accuracy of ±30°. In this case, the adjacent room will be light and warm. But there is another disadvantage - the walls, floors, and furniture will fade. One way out is to choose colors where the color loss is not so noticeable. The second way out is to turn the house around so that the panoramic windows face east or west. This is an acceptable position in which there is enough light, and it does not pour into the windows all day long. In general, it's up to you.

The following heating devices are mainly used to heat panoramic windows:

To prevent the cold from coming from the windows in winter, heating devices are placed under them to create a thermal curtain. You cannot install traditional radiators here, but you can install built-in (in-floor) radiators or convectors. They can be electric or part of a water heating system, but their installation is complicated, and their price is considerable.

What documents will need to be prepared?

You will need to submit to the authorities to obtain permission, development and approval of the project:

Written permission from the owner or operator of the building giving approval for the installation. If the house is not a typical building, is of historical value, or is located in a significant area, you may additionally be referred to an architect or an authorized architectural organization;
With the received permit, you should send it to a specialized and necessarily licensed design organization. Its representative must draw up a technical permit on the possibility of redevelopment, develop a window design and conclude an agreement with you on technical supervision of the work;

Once you have the design and technical documentation in your hands, you must attach the following documents:

Technical passport for a residential property (BTI passport for an apartment);
Permission from the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
Permission from Rospotrebnadzor;
Permission from the historical authority for non-standard houses, if necessary;
Certificate of ownership notarized;
Unified housing document.

All these papers, along with your application, must be submitted to the interdepartmental municipal commission for consideration. And if, after you have received all this pile of papers, you still want to install a panoramic window in your apartment, then at this stage the fun begins. You have to wait for the commission's decision. At the same time, the deadlines allotted for consideration significantly exceed the validity periods of some of the submitted documents. And if at the moment when your papers finally fall into the hands of the official, something is already overdue, all your efforts will be turned back. Therefore, we advise you to immediately contact a company that will draw up and obtain permission for the project. Or look for an apartment in a new building, where the developer immediately installs panoramic windows.

Desk on the windowsill

You can organize a work desk on a fairly wide window sill. On the surface of the “tabletop” there are shelves for writing instruments, cups for pens, and sets of organizers. The idea of organizing a desktop should be implemented in advance, even at the stage of developing the drawing of the window opening.

Using a cornice as a working platform requires significant reinforcement of the frame. It is also necessary to think in advance and arrange the space under the table where you can put chairs or an armchair.

How to deal with condensation on windows?

A very common problem that owners of panoramic windows have to face is the accumulation of condensation. It appears due to the difference in temperatures inside and outside the room. You can combat it with the help of room air conditioning systems and the installation of additional heating devices in close proximity to the area where the panoramic window is located. Considering that there will be little space for them, or rather practically no space left, the following heating systems are suitable:

A warm baseboard is an ideal solution in such a case. It takes up little space, is almost invisible, economical and at the same time is able to replenish heat loss. At the same time, it creates a thermal curtain that “creeps” upward and prevents cold air from entering the room. If you choose an electric model, you can turn it on as needed;
Built-in tubular convectors. Suitable only for those who carry out major renovations of an apartment with replacement of floors. After all, they are laid under the base of the floor. In-floor convectors create a thermal curtain as if from under a window;
Warm floors are also capable of providing uniform heating of the room and preventing condensation.

Condensation may also be caused by poor ventilation. It is necessary to organize a powerful supply and exhaust system. You can also purchase double-glazed windows with a special heat-repellent coating.

What curtains to buy for panoramic windows?

The main rule when choosing curtains for panoramic windows is that they should not distract attention from the window itself. This means that heavy curtains with all kinds of lambrequins and other delights will not work. In this case, the simpler the better. Of course, curtains should be in harmony with the color scheme of the room and its style, but in essence they simply must fulfill their main task - to create an intimate atmosphere.

It is worth giving preference to light organza curtains. Many people advise using Chinese curtains or vertical fabric roller blinds, but no one warns that when installing the window in the ventilation position, they will create unpleasant noise and move along the window. In this case, special fastenings will not really save the situation. without curtains altogether by choosing a tinted double-glazed window or double-glazed window with a special reflective coating. The latest innovation is a window with a special coating, which allows you to adjust the degree of darkening using a remote control.