Walls and Window Teatments

WALLS AND WINDOW TREATMENTS 3(1+2)

Lesson 9 : Wall Elements: Windows

Factors Determining Window Design And Location

Views and privacy, light and ventilation, heat and cold, and furniture arrangement are among the major factors determining window design and location. Cleaning and curtaining also affect. .Interwoven with these is the larger matter of architectural composition, the relationship of windows to the mass and space of the whole house and landscape.

1. Views and privacy

Normally, the larger windows face the best outlook whether it be a view of a city, a lake or one’s own private patio. Those necessary facing the street or nearby neighbors are smaller, higher in the wall or of translucent material. Most of us nowadays like windows that encourage those inside to look out but not neighbors or passersby to look in. This is achieved by placing large windows towards rear of the property, by building fences or planting hedges, and much less well by resorting to view blocking curtains.

2. Light

Natural light is cheerful and for eyes and for eyes and spirit, it is almost impossible to have rooms with too much day light. But it is unfortunately easy to design rooms that seen unpleasantly easy to design rooms that seen unpleasantly bright because strong contrasts of light and dark lead to glare. This comes from too little light and in the wrong places .More light means less glare if the windows are well planned .until recently most windows were holes cutout of the wall, and the first thoughts were of getting curtains to soften the light. Large areas of glass is the best contemporary design, however seldom seems too length. Some factors to be considered are

• Light coming from more than one direction minimizes heavy shadows and makes one feel enveloped by light rather than being shot by it
• Light entering the top of a room illumines the ceiling and spreads through the room more than does light entering at lower levels.
• No part of a room ought to be more than about 11/2times the ceiling height from a wall with adequate windows or from skylights
• Overhangs projecting beyond windows reduce the glare of the sky and mellow light entering the room
• Windows to the floor are best when the surfacing material outside does not reflect a glaringly bright light. Light absorbing materials or the shade from trees or trellis help solve the problem.

Windows which are the lightest elements in a room by day, are very dark at night unless they are lighted or curtained inside or unless the immediate view outside is illumined.

3. Ventilation

The most comfortable ventilation unnoticeably lets stale air out from near the rooms top and draft less fresh air is from the floor High windows or louvered openings above windows, sky lights and exhaust fans accomplish the first, while low windows do the second. There are times when one wants to feel a breeze sweeping through the house from wide open doors and windows. Rooms are most quickly aimed if the openings are on opposite sides, one of which faces the prevailing windows.

4. Heat And Cold

Colorless and transparent materials like glass are poor insulators. When designing windows one should remember this. It is also essential to remember that extreme temperatures are important in achieving equitable temperatures indoors at the least cost. Glass facing east brings the morning sun, cheering in winter and seldom too hot in summer. Glass on the west side of a house however brings hot afternoon heat deep into the house, and on the north it brings in winter cold for comfort, it is then necessary to rely on insulating curtains or something outside such as trees, vine covered arbors, very wide overhanging roofs or awnings.

5. Furniture arrangement

The location and design of windows and doors determining in large part how furniture can be arranged. In-general, the more openings in walls, the hardware it is to arrange furniture. This situation is aggravated if the openings are separated one from another and if windows come below the ordinary table height. Windows grouped in bonds high enough to allow the placing of tables or sofas beneath them facilitate furniture arrangement; clerestories and skylights raise no problems. Windows to the floor make indoor and outdoor space seem continuous but basement of their value of much furniture or heavy pieces are put next to them. Thus although they increase visual space they often reduce usable space.

Cleaning

All glass benefits from frequent cleaning, especially in dusty or sooty locations or when it can be reached by small children. It is easiest to clean when paves are large, when they can be reached without excessive stooping or climbing, and when they are easy to get at, outside as well. Clerestories and skylights bring special cleaning problems.

Curtaining

Although curtains and draperies have much in their favour, they are not without cost. An economical first step is to plan so that as few windows are possible absolutely demanded curtaining. High windows or window walls facing screened gardens or protected views are examples. Curtaining problems simplest when windows are grouped and when they vary little in size, shape and distance from floor and ceilings.