ᐅ Floor-to-ceiling windows that open outward, providing more usable interior space

@11ant:
The windows on the ground floor on the left side in the floor plan.
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/lage-stadtvilla-oder-efh-auf-500-m2-rechteck.33505/post-409926

Security is an important issue that I hadn’t considered before. So, it was rather a bad idea. I’ve already asked my father-in-law, who will install the windows. I’m sure he will have some advice for me and probably give me a serious talking-to.

But I do like floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor because they simply give you the option to step outside, even if there is a sofa in front of them. That can be easily moved forward (we’re not planning a huge corner sofa but rather several two- or three-seater sofas).
On the other hand, I really hate cluttered window sills. We will set up a planter box in front of the second (fixed) window sash, which will also benefit from the natural light provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Outward-opening windows would have been practical because then the sofa wouldn’t have to be moved if you want to go outside through the window.

Thanks for the lively discussion.

Smialbuddler schrieb:

Outward-opening windows are generally very common in Scandinavia.

However, this is not due to cultural reasons but has traditionally developed because of the weather. The cold wind (and it’s pretty much cold there all the time) pushes the sash against the frame and thus into the seals. Also, any snow load on the window cannot push it inward.
In urban new buildings, there is a growing trend toward "standard" inward-opening windows.

P.S. Swedes often use H-hinges. This allows the windows to be rotated, so you can access the outer side from inside ;-)

Olli-Ka schrieb:

Imagine the windows are tilted open and it starts to rain.
What a nice funnel...

At least the (Scandinavian) windows I know that open outward cannot be tilted. Instead, they usually have a storm latch with several positions to open the window similarly to our tilt setting—just rotated 90 degrees.

nordanney schrieb:

This doesn’t have a cultural background but developed traditionally due to the weather. The cold wind (and it is somehow cold there almost all the time) pushes the window sashes against the frame and thus into the seals. Any existing snow load can also prevent the window from being pushed inward.
In urban new construction, the trend is therefore increasingly moving toward "standard" windows.

Thanks for the explanation, very interesting!

In warm countries with outward-opening windows, I only know of the bottom-hung tilt option.

Tolentino schrieb:

The windows on the ground floor floor plan, left side.

So, northwest and southwest / on both sections of the L-shaped sofa?
There are certainly solutions for the security issue, but since I wasn’t personally involved in the construction as the lead, I don’t know the special features by heart. How do you provide shading there (using blinds like venetian blinds would conflict with the desired setup)?
I don’t consider it a crazy idea at all, just uncommon in Germany (which means you have to think a bit outside the mainstream about how to implement it exactly). The Danish manufacturer Velfac told me just a few days ago that they are closing their German sales office.
As an alternative to outward opening, a two-part inward opening could also work—that is, making these two windows with fixed lower sections and dividing the window doors (dining area, kitchen, guest area) visually at the same height with a horizontal mullion.

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