Windows

Windows serve multiple purposes in the home and you'll work with your architect on what windows to use where, and why. We'll discuss types of windows and more below. Before getting into the details, I think it's helpful to consider window theory and best practices.

Writing in A Pattern Language, Christopher Alexander has a few useful points about designing windows:

Windows and Ventilation

Windows are one of the main parts of the home that can be opened and closed according to the weather. This is especially true in hot weather when heat builds up inside the home. As you plan the location of windows, consider opportunities to allow hot air to vent out of the house and/or allow cool air in.

For example, skylights are a nice feature for natural light. If they are operable (meaning they open) they can be used to allow hot air to escape as it rises.

Another example is having operable windows on two sides of a room. This way, cool evening air from outside and come in and flush the warm air out:

Getting Dried In

To be fully dried-in, your house will need to have most of the windows and doors installed. In the case that windows can’t be installed right away, they may be temporarily covered with plastic sheeting or plywood. This protection is important because it’s best for the electrical rough-in work to be started in a dry structure. Plus, it creates a more protected workspace for the construction crew. 

Like so many other building materials, window and door materials are always evolving and improving. Windows, often referred to as “glazing”, are an important consideration in terms of efficiency, durability, and aesthetics. Let’s look at these one by one.

Window Efficiency

Your home is most efficient when it can stay at a constant and comfortable temperature without the use of electricity or fuel that powers heaters and air conditioners. 

Traditionally, glass is one of the least efficient materials because it is not insulated like a wall. A small change in outside temperature can impact your home’s interior temperature. Thankfully, window technology has improved and glass is more efficient than ever before. In fact, modern building codes often specify that windows on new homes meet specific requirements in terms of efficiency. 

A term you’re likely to hear is “Low-E” or low emissivity glass. This is double or triple-pane glass that has a microscopic coating designed to reflect ultraviolet and infrared light that would otherwise enter the home. It may also have argon gas between the panes, which helps insulate them.

Modern glass can also help reduce outside noise. Your GC or glass subcontractor will have recommendations for the appropriate glass for your region and may connect you with a local dealer who can give you advice. 

Window Durability

Windows can be a big investment and it’s worth your time understanding the pros and cons of the options you’re considering. Common window types include:

• Fiberglass
• Vinyl
• Wood Clad
• Wood
• Composite
• Aluminum 
• Steel

Features of windows that can help you make a decision:

• Cost
• Aesthetics
• Paintability (interior and exterior)
• Thermal Performance
• Maintenance
• Expansion/Contraction
• Color Availability

Window Aesthetics and Usability 

Because glass has become more efficient, it is now more reasonable to build a home with large windows. If your home has a contemporary design, the choice of windows will play a part in that design and your architect will have advice for what window designs will work best. Homes with natural views often make the best use of large windows and there are a variety of options. 

Be sure to consider privacy in your selection of windows. When reviewing the floor plan, it’s easy to lose sight of window locations in the context of the area around your home. If you have neighbors close by or your house is along a busy street, consider how windows may encourage prying eyes. Higher-end windows are now available that can become frosted in appearance with the click of a button. You may also be able to account for privacy with window coverings like "top down" shades.

The Window and Door Schedule

Your architect and builder will have input on the types of windows that will be best for your home. This information will be communicated via a “window and door schedule” which lists every window in the house, along with a "mark" that identifies the window on the plans.

The schedule may also include drawn versions of each window for easy reference.

You can see in the plan below that each window has a mark. The marks below indicate which windows (B, C and D) will used in a hallway.

In most cases, windows are built according to the "rough opening" size in the plans. Then, the window company representative or a contractor will measure each window opening and order the windows based on those exact measurements. Then, the windows are fabricated to fit the framing perfectly.

Types of Windows 

Within window manufacturers, you'll find a variety of window shapes and configurations. Your architect will have thoughts on the best windows for your home, but it's a good idea for you to know the options, as you will be the person using them regularly.

Three Types of Window Operation

Windows can broadly be organized by how they operate or open. The three major forms are sliders, cranks, and folding doors. Below we'll cover what kinds of windows work for each, and what to consider.

Sliders

Slider windows usually operate on a track. When opening the window, a sash moves down, or across, the track, overlapping the other window on the same plane. The photo below is of a horizontal slider window.

Probably the most popular slider window is called a sash window. These windows include at least one sash that can be moved to create an opening to the outdoors. When only one sash is moveable, it's called "single-hung". When both sashes can move, it's called "double-hung".

Crank or Pull Windows

The other major style of window pivots to open. Here, a crank is attached to the window frame and that allows a person to open it by turning a crank. Because crank windows can be cranked down securely, they are known for being efficient.

This type of window can also be operated with a lever that can be used to operate and lock the window.

The example below is a casement window, which means it opens vertically with hinges on the vertical side.

Another popular option is the awning window, which opens horizontally to the exterior with hinges on the horizontal side. Awning windows can often be open when it's raining.

Folding Windows

A less common type of operable window is the folding or "accordion" window. These windows operate on a track, but fold onto one another and stack at one end of the window.

Non-Operable Windows

Some windows are for light only and do not open. These includes:

• Transom windows
• Picture Windows

Skylights

Skylights are a popular option that can help bring natural light into any room. However, they do come with a few considerations.

Cost - Skylights are generally affordable for standard sizes and use cases. However, when skylights are custom made and/or designed to fill large spaces, they can quickly become expensive.

Installation - The cost of the skylight itself is only part of the consideration. Because it's on the roof, it can involve the work of multiple teams, from carpenters to roofers. Installation costs can escalate quickly.

Reliability - Any time something passes through the plane of the roof, it has the potential for leaks in the long term. Modern skylights often come with a warranty and if installed properly, can last a long time.

Solar Gain - Some homeowners choose skylights so the sun can heat their home in the winter. In the summer, however, skylights can also contribute to a warmer home and higher air conditioning costs.

Operable/Automation - When fresh air in a room is a priority, an operable skylight can be wonderful. These will generally have screens, just like typical windows. And because they will probably be high, a long-handled crank/pole can be used to open and close them, or automation can be a nice option. Many automated skylights will sense precipitation and close automatically to protect the room. If you choose automation, be sure to have these on your electrical plan.

Livability - It's important to plan for how a skylight will affect light and heat in your home. For example, a hallway or powder room could use constant daylight, but a TV that faces a skylight may create a difficult glare. A skylight in a bedroom can be beautiful but must be carefully placed to block early morning sun from interfering with sleep. Choose wisely.

Solar Tubes

Solar Tubes are a kind of skylight that uses a reflective tube to reflect light from the roof down into a room. Usually, a clear or frosted dome-shaped unit is installed on the roof and connected to a tube that leads to what looks like a flat light fixture on the ceiling. When sun hits the dome on the roof, it illuminates the fixture and room without power. And depending on the fixture, it may also allow less heat into the room than a traditional skylight.

Solar tubes are often used in homes with attic space. The tube extends through the attic space without having to build a skylight box. The best applications tend be in rooms without windows or bathrooms and hallways that don't often have a need to be dark during the day.

Exterior Shades and Shutters

In warm seasons, cooling the home can be a hefty expense. Any time that sunlight can reach the home, radiant heat will make it hotter. This is true for sunlight that hits interior floors and glass windows.

One way to prevent this heat and reduce your need for cooling is to prevent the sunlight from reaching the home. This can be accomplished with exterior shades or shudders. Unlike their interior counterparts, these shared prevent sunlight from reaching the interior and the windows themselves. Many buildings, both residential and commercial, are using this technique to achieve more efficient energy usage.

Many homeowners choose to have automated systems, especially when there are a number of windows or when they are more difficult to reach. Shades and shutters can be set on a schedule to close when sun starts shining on the windows and to open when sunlight subsides. Be sure to include this in your electrical plan so a circuit(s) is ready for installation.

Exterior shades can also help protect windows from wind and rain.

This type of window covering doesn't mean that the windows become opaque. Shudders often have louvers that allow indirect light to penetrate. Roller shades come with the option to allow a small percent of light through.

Awnings

Another option for preventing sunlight from reaching the home is using an awning. These can be fixed or operable. The example below is an operable version that folds neatly into a cassette that is mounted above the window.

Louvers

Louvers are usually horizontal layers of material spaced evenly across an area. They can look nice, but there is more than meets the eye. Louvers can be designed according to the home's orientation and sun exposure over the seasons. For example, they can allow sunlight into a room when the winter sun is low in the sky, and block it in the summer when it's high.

The louvers in the photo below achieve this effect in a commercial building.

Exterior Doors

Exterior doors come with a surprising number of considerations and regulations. There are five common types to consider:

• Main Entry Door
• Patio Doors
• Standard Entry Door
• Storm Door
• Fire Doors

Main Entry

The main entry door (your front door) is an important part of your home and one that nearly every visitor will experience. These doors are usually the strongest and most secure doors in the house. They are often made of wood, fiberglass, or metal, like steel.

Your GC will point you to recommended manufacturers. Some homeowners choose to order a heavy door that is extra wide or plan for an opening that has double doors. If you have the space, this can feel more inviting and make moving easier. 

Patio Doors 

Patio doors can fill wide openings that lead to outdoor entertaining areas. The most popular options are sliding glass doors. It’s also possible to have french patio doors, which are double doors that swing open instead of slide. Patio doors can also fold on a track like the windows mentioned above.

Standard Entry Door

A standard entry door is usually a single door that offers access to the exterior in a more private location. They are built to withstand weather and can look nice, but are often considered secondary. Many standard entry doors use glass to allow light into the room and a view of the exterior. 

Be aware that standard entry doors may require a special locking mechanism called a “multi-point lock” that locks it on the top, middle, and bottom. This is for extra security and structure as the locking mechanism helps prevent warping and service calls. Keep in mind that multi-point locking doors are more expensive and may not play nicely with electronic smart locks. 

Storm Door

A storm door is usually a lightweight door that is installed on the exterior of an entry door and provides a barrier to the exterior when the entry door is open. These doors often have interchangeable glass and screen panels that can allow air or light to pass through without worrying about pests.

Fire Door

Fire doors are designed to be a fireproof barrier between an exterior space, like a garage, and a living area. These doors are usually subject to building codes. They typically cannot have windows and may be required to have a mechanism that forces it to close automatically, called a “roll pin”.

The example below is from a 20-minute fire door. This means that the door is constructed (and tested) to withstand fire, smoke, and heat for 20 minutes.

Door Orders

Doors can be ordered by themselves, called slab, or pre-hung, which means it comes already attached to a door frame with hinges, and possibly pre-drilled holes. Your architect and GC can provide direction on the order.

Inswing vs. Outswing

Their movement may need to be specified as Inswing or Outswing. Here's how to tell the difference:

When you're standing on the outside of the house or a room, and the door should be opened by pushing it, it is an Inswing door. If the door should open by pulling it, it is an Outswing door.

Right-Handed or Left-Handed

Doors may also need direction, Right-Handed or Left-Handed. Here's how to tell the difference:

When you are standing outside the house/room door, where are the hinges? The hinges tell you the answer. If the hinges are on the right, it is a Right-Handed door. If the hinges are on the left, it is a Left-Handed door.

With the inclusion of house wrap, underlayment, windows, doors, siding, and trim, your house becomes dried in and has taken a great leap toward a focus on the interior.