ᐅ As shallow as possible blind boxes/casings (goal: maximize window height)

Dear community,

A question that probably many have had before – but I still haven’t found a solution or answer to:

Is it possible to install the roller shutter box slightly higher (see photos), or is that not feasible due to structural stability or insulation reasons?

The goal is to have windows as tall as possible and to avoid the approximately 30 cm (12 inches) height loss caused by the roller shutter boxes. The rough construction height is 2.75 m (9 ft), so the net height is about 2.60 m (8 ft 6 inches). The windows should ideally extend as close to the room height as possible.

Are there other solutions besides the less visually appealing exterior-mounted box system?

Many thanks for your experienced advice!

Best regards and happy building and living!

Building with ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) and therefore installing an external roller shutter box. Otherwise, increase the ceiling height, then you can also install larger windows.

Yes, build the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) and integrate the roller shutter box there; this way, you can achieve full ceiling height windows, if desired.

Thank you!
Okay – I have two questions regarding this:

1. Is there a rough cost estimate "per sqm (sq ft) of area" or something similar?

2. Can this still be decided "on the go" – if the application is already with the building authority / planning office? Or is it then already too late...?

Thanks for your answers

sanftmut schrieb:

1. Is there a rough cost estimate “per sqm of area” or something like that?

2. Can you still decide “on the go” if the application is already at the building authority? Or is it too late then...?

You need to decide in advance how you want to build. If you add 20cm (8 inches) of insulation on top of your existing 36cm (14 inches) wall thickness, it will result in an impractical structure. Then you’d have to adjust the brickwork accordingly and so on.

If possible – and from your question it seems the building permit / planning application has already been submitted – I would rather build higher at this point and then lower the ceiling later. That way, you can easily install things like ventilation ducts and recessed spotlights, or even speakers for Dolby Atmos, for example.

sanftmut schrieb:

Thanks!
Ok – I have two questions about that:

1. Is there a rough cost estimate “per square meter” or something like that?

2. Can this still be decided “on the go” if the application is already with the building authority? Or is that ship already sailed...?

Thanks for the answers

The ship has sailed, meaning you would need to take a few steps back and bear the associated planning costs twice.
The type of wall construction affects the building volume = new plans, new site plan, new building permit / planning permission. It also affects the thermal insulation certificate, which is part of the building application.

Or, as nordanney suggests, you can build higher and install a suspended ceiling. Suspending a ceiling can easily cost €3,000–5,000 (approximately $3,200–5,400) per floor, and building height again impacts the building permit / planning permission.