How to Choose Floor-To-Ceiling Windows

Modern-day designs are centered on the usage of glass. It conveys novelty and luxury. This is why high-end buildings and contemporary structures have glass as the primary building material. Floor-to-ceiling windows are a design element that sets apart a building design. These epic windows radiate vibrancy, especially if the structure overlooks a breathtaking natural view.

What Are Floor-To-Ceiling Windows?

As their name suggests, floor-to-ceiling windows begin from the floor and end at the ceiling, creating the illusion of a large glass wall. For this reason, they are often referred to as window walls. They provide unobstructed perspectives and instantly create a sense of openness and airiness.

Choosing Floor-To-Ceiling Windows

Window walls allow maximum entry of natural light into your room and are architecturally appealing. Because they are not your standard mass-produced factory windows, window walls come with some special considerations. You should therefore be mindful of the various aspects of floor-to-ceiling windows before installing them. Here are factors to consider when selecting a window wall for your home.

Location of Installation

You should remember that not every part of your house can accommodate a floor-to-ceiling window. You can only optimize them when installed in the right place. Some of the best places to install your floor-to-ceiling windows include:

• A living room overlooking a nice panoramic view of surrounding sceneries

• A bedroom with a view of the beach

• A hall in your workspace

Therefore, it’s vital to do your research before choosing where to install your window walls. It is best to seek professional advice before making an informed decision.

Measurements

Correct measurements play a vital role in the installation of window walls. Ensure your measurements are accurate. Double-check your figures to verify their accuracy. If you are unable to do, it always helps to engage an expert instead of facing the consequences of inaccurate measurements later on.

Glass Type

You can find several types of glass types in the market today. Each of them corresponds to a particular set of requirements. So, how do you choose the best glass? For starters, if your area experiences severe weather, consider double-pane insulated glass. However, if you want a glass type that lets you enjoy beautiful views while offering privacy, one-way window glass will do. Likewise, you can always go the extra mile and tint your glass to add some detail to your structure. So, before settling for a particular type of glass, ensure you've explored all your options.

Window Style

When it comes to floor-to-ceiling windows, several design variations exist. If you want to create a continuous look, you can opt for large glass panels. Alternatively, you could go for multiple smaller windows to maximize the window wall's practical value.

The Pros and Cons of Floor-To-Ceiling Windows

While these windows feature a panoramic design that lets you take in your surroundings, this feature comes at the cost of extra maintenance, privacy and hefty installation costs. The merits and demerits of window walls are discussed below in detail.

Pros

Some of the advantages of floor-to-ceiling windows include the following:

• Unobstructed flow of natural light: Let's face it: Nobody likes cramped, suffocating spaces. Installing window walls is a sure way of ensuring an open and airy space. For maximum ventilation, feel free to open the windows.

• Energy efficiency: Single-handedly, window walls can light up your whole space. Because your home can receive a sufficient amount of natural light, most of your light fixtures won't be needed during the daytime. Resultantly, your energy bills will be significantly lower.

• Connection to the outside: Window walls allow you to stay connected to the outside world without leaving the comfort of your room.

• Boosting interior space: as aforementioned, huge glass windows create the illusion of bigger spaces.

• Increased property resale value: window walls also improve the value of your property. They improve your building's aesthetics and give it a contemporary touch. So, if you decide to sell your property, you will fetch more money in the real estate market compared To property owners whose buildings have standard windows.

Are Floor-To-Ceiling Windows Durable?

Because they are popularly used on beachfront properties, window walls have had to be made sturdy enough to withstand strong winds. However, this does not mean that they are risk-free. For instance, they could crack upon impact with a rock, leaving you with a hefty repair bill.

Cons

Although installing window walls has several upsides, it also has a downside.

• Cost: While window walls are to behold, they need high initial monetary investments. You'll need to cater for the purchase of gigantic glass panels, structural components and the installation cost, to mention a few.

• Compromised privacy: there is no doubt that floor-to-ceiling windows display a huge portion of your space. Unless you are o private property, passersby can see whatever is happening in your home.

• Complex maintenance: Maintaining these windows is an uphill task. Even the tiniest fingerprints could easily stain them.

Installing Floor-To-Ceiling Windows

Installation costs of these windows depend on the following factors:

• Wall size

• Glass type

• Cost of labour

• Complexity of the project

All these elements will determine the total project cost. Therefore, there is no saying that you will incur a standard charge to install your windows. However, expect to part with between $800 and $1500 per square foot of your windows. The range is because of variations in design specifics.

Can You Install Window Walls in an Older Home?

Yes, you can install these windows even in older homes. You just need to ensure the openings are large enough to accommodate them. You may have to make significant alterations to your structure if they aren't.

Costs of Floor-To-Ceiling Windows

Because of their large size and complex installation, window walls are, as expected, pricier than standard windows. Each window will have a different cost depending on the following:

• Materials used

• Size of window

• Type of window (fixed or unfixed)

• Coatings

Other factors that may affect this price include installation costs and the necessity of reworking structural elements to support the windows. Averagely, a window wall will cost anything from $1,000 and above.

Conclusion

While there are challenges associated with floor-to-ceiling windows, the pros outweigh one thing. This means that installing these windows on your property is worth it. So, if you were debating whether they would be a valuable addition to your structure, we hope this article offers some insight.