Windows are an important connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. They can bring in light to increase indoor brightness, promote indoor and outdoor air circulation, regulate humidity and temperature, and have an important impact on the design and shape of the overall space of the building. Even in traditional Feng Shui, how to arrange the position of windows is also a big question. The origin of windows can be traced back to the earthen houses in ancient times. At first, they were just openings in the roof for ventilation and lighting. With the continuous evolution of building materials and technology, various types of windows with different functions have been developed today. Let's see what styles of windows are available and what to pay attention to when choosing.
Windows are generally composed of an outer frame and glass in the middle (or other composite materials). How to choose a window that is both practical and beautiful, safe and energy-saving, and can meet special conditions is not simple. According to the way the window is opened, it can be simply divided into the following categories.
1. Fixed windows
This type of window does not open at all, like a big hole in the house, sealed with glass. It is commonly seen in commercial buildings. This type of window is also called a picture window. As the name suggests, it is like a painting, which can see the outdoor scenery. The main function is to use large windows to introduce a lot of light. In addition to energy saving, it also allows a better extension of vision.
2. Horizontal sliding window/horizontal sliding window
This type of window should be the most common one. The entire window panel slides along the horizontal track, which is very convenient to open and close. It is often seen in both home space and commercial space. This type of window has excellent ventilation effect and saves space. It is often made into a whole floor-to-ceiling window to increase the range of lighting and ventilation.
3. Push-type window
Push-type window is a large category. The general definition is that it is fixed on one side with metal hinges. When it is opened, the whole window draws an arc to push outward or inward. The top hinged window is called the top-hung window, the bottom hinged window is called the bottom-hung window, and there is even a relatively rare middle-hung window fixed in the middle of the window frame. In addition, it can be divided into single-opening, double-opening, inward-opening, and outward-opening.
4. Up and down sliding window
This type of window is opened by one or more movable window panels that slide vertically up and down, and can be divided into single-sided and double-sided movable types. The single-sided type is generally fixed at the top, and only the lower half of the window panel can be moved; the double-sided type is that both the upper and lower window panels can be moved. The advantage is that the top and bottom window frames can be opened at the same time, and the hot air can escape from the top, while the relatively cold air is sucked in through the bottom opening, achieving a good convection effect. This type of window is more common in European and American countries.
5. Venetian blinds
Venetian blinds are a special type of window, generally referring to windows composed of multiple blades and no glass in the middle. Most Venetian blinds can adjust the blade angle to control the light and air entering the room. Although there is no glass in the middle of the blinds, the blades of some blinds can be made of glass plates to achieve better light transmission. Venetian blinds can be used as separate outdoor windows, or they can be used with other window types to block light and wind and rain. The shape of multiple blades can be used to add beautiful design to the interior space.
6. Skylight
The traditional definition of skylight is to open a window on the roof for ventilation and lighting, but there are also practices of opening skylights in semi-outdoor or terrace rain shelters. Since the skylight is located at the top, the lighting effect is also the best, but attention must be paid to waterproofing and heat insulation.
Choice of window frames
The window frames are mostly made of wood, plastic (PVC), fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel and other metals, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Wooden window frames can be constructed on site, the size can be adjusted easily, and the texture is simple and classical, and there are warm tones of natural images, but they are easily affected by the climate, and the waterproof and fireproof effects are also poor, requiring additional maintenance; plastic, fiberglass or resin window frames are waterproof, soundproof, durable, and have low maintenance costs; common aluminum or other metal frames have the advantages of being strong and durable, but as a single material, attention must be paid to heat dissipation. However, the common metal window frames on the market now are often combined with other materials to make the overall performance more superior and suitable for various environments.
Choice of window glass
There are also many things to know about choosing glass. It is easy to find suitable glass if you understand the purpose and usage scenarios of windows. The following are several common types of window glass.
1. Flat glass
Flat glass is a very common type of glass. By introducing molten glass into a molten tin bath, the glass will float on the metal surface to form a very smooth glass panel with a uniform thickness. This type of glass can be easily formed or bent into various forms.
2. Safety glass
Safety glass is a material that has been processed to make it strong and not easy to break, and even if it breaks, it will not cause a risk of cutting. For example, wire or wired glass, laminated glass, strengthened or tempered glass are all types of safety glass.
3. Laminated glass
Usually double or triple layers of glass, it is assembled from two or three pieces of glass, and there is also a method of sandwiching special glue between the glasses. The space between the glasses will be filled with air or inert gas. Laminated glass can have good strength and safety after special processing, and dry ingredients can also be added to prevent condensation of water vapor on the surface.
4. Low-E glass
Low-E glass is an energy-saving glass. Because it has a thin transparent coating, it can reflect most ultraviolet and infrared rays. In summer, it can reduce the amount of outdoor solar heat entering the room. In winter, it can retain the far-infrared radiation diffusion of indoor objects, creating a warm winter and cool summer effect. When using Low-E glass, you need to pay special attention to the color tone. Generally, there will be a slight blue-green tone, which may not be suitable for every scene.
In addition, you can also change the design of the window by controlling the transparency of the glass or adding a metal reflective layer to adjust the light entering the room. For example, sandblasting glass, mirror glass, or acid etching to carve patterns on the glass can give the window a different aesthetic.
Finally, there are commonly used airtight windows and soundproof windows. These two types of windows are mainly processed by technology, such as adding waterproof strips, airtight strips, soundproof accessories, or choosing a combination of thicker aluminum metal and special glass to block air from entering through the gaps, thereby achieving a soundproof and airtight effect.
