Hello everyone,
on one side of the house, two openings (windows) are planned, each measuring 1.8 x 2.35 m (6 x 7.7 ft), spaced about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
One of them needs to function as a patio door, so it will likely be a tilt-and-turn type. The other opening does not need to be operable for practical reasons, so we were initially considering a fixed glazing there. However, we were told that fixed glazing looks noticeably different from tilt-and-turn windows due to its slimmer frame. Since the two windows are relatively close together, this might cause a visual mismatch.
What do you think? Would the cost savings of fixed glazing justify this difference?
on one side of the house, two openings (windows) are planned, each measuring 1.8 x 2.35 m (6 x 7.7 ft), spaced about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
One of them needs to function as a patio door, so it will likely be a tilt-and-turn type. The other opening does not need to be operable for practical reasons, so we were initially considering a fixed glazing there. However, we were told that fixed glazing looks noticeably different from tilt-and-turn windows due to its slimmer frame. Since the two windows are relatively close together, this might cause a visual mismatch.
What do you think? Would the cost savings of fixed glazing justify this difference?
I recently saw a police stand at a trade fair presenting statistics showing that in just under 12% of burglaries, glass is actually broken. This often happens at doors since these glass panes are usually smaller and breaking them makes less noise. In over 70% of burglaries, windows are forced open.
Forcing open is apparently quite difficult with fixed glazing, and from my personal experience, as a burglar, I wouldn’t necessarily break a 3x2m (10x6.5 ft) window because that would make a lot of noise. In our build, we will have many fixed glazing elements, and for the few windows that can be opened—at least on the ground floor—we plan to install RC3 fittings (minimum resistance time 5 minutes). I hope this will provide sufficient protection against being forced open. Of course, every resistance class comes with some additional cost, but this is more acceptable for a few windows than securing every window that can be opened.
Regarding garden access, friends of ours have five sliding doors along their garden-facing facade, and guess how many of those they actually use regularly? That’s right, only one! (The one in the kitchen, and rarely one in the living room).
Forcing open is apparently quite difficult with fixed glazing, and from my personal experience, as a burglar, I wouldn’t necessarily break a 3x2m (10x6.5 ft) window because that would make a lot of noise. In our build, we will have many fixed glazing elements, and for the few windows that can be opened—at least on the ground floor—we plan to install RC3 fittings (minimum resistance time 5 minutes). I hope this will provide sufficient protection against being forced open. Of course, every resistance class comes with some additional cost, but this is more acceptable for a few windows than securing every window that can be opened.
Regarding garden access, friends of ours have five sliding doors along their garden-facing facade, and guess how many of those they actually use regularly? That’s right, only one! (The one in the kitchen, and rarely one in the living room).
I don’t think it should be seen as “the argument”… I could also put bars on every window that opens, but that just looks awful. With fixed glazing, I can skip that, that’s true. But couldn’t you also say that fixed glazing is inherently safer?
I prefer an unobstructed view of the garden, and for me, even the frame on a 1m (3 ft) wide fixed glazing panel would be bothersome… I would rather install a large window, preferably 2m or 3m (6.5 ft or 10 ft) wide. But tastes simply differ, and for some people, the option to open the door is important… It’s really about balancing wishes and needs!
I prefer an unobstructed view of the garden, and for me, even the frame on a 1m (3 ft) wide fixed glazing panel would be bothersome… I would rather install a large window, preferably 2m or 3m (6.5 ft or 10 ft) wide. But tastes simply differ, and for some people, the option to open the door is important… It’s really about balancing wishes and needs!
I just mean that safety is not a valid argument as long as there is at least one window in the house that is not fixed. Whether you have 6 windows operable and 6 fixed, or all 12 windows operable, it doesn’t matter, since a burglar only needs one window. Only with 12 fixed windows could you reliably argue safety.
*Off-topic*
That's what I've been saying for years... The kitchen needs a garden/terrace access.
PhiTh schrieb:
Exactly, just one! (in the kitchen and rarely one more in the living room)
That's what I've been saying for years... The kitchen needs a garden/terrace access.
Grym schrieb:
Security? I don’t understand. Are you talking about burglary protection? Or just running away?
If burglary protection: then everything needs to be fixed glazing, since the burglar only needs one window.Basically, what I had in mind has already been mentioned. Yes, of course, burglary protection. Based on current knowledge, I would at least use fixed glazing throughout the entire ground floor. Then only two or three doors would need to be properly secured.
Even if you have a few tilt-and-turn windows, protecting them is less challenging than protecting many windows.
In modern houses with a central ventilation system, you actually don’t need windows that can be opened anymore. But that is certainly a matter of personal preference.
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