ᐅ House Under Construction – Ideas for Details Such as Windows, Materials, and More

Good evening,

Our single-family house is currently under construction. We previously shared some initial designs here and received very valuable feedback.
We then made a few extra adjustments, revised the plans again, and are now finally building our house on a beautiful hillside plot.

The basement will have direct level access to the terrace – so we have planned the living, cooking, and dining area with a wide southeast-facing window front.

We are now focusing primarily on details such as the choice of window systems, external blinds (raffstore), and so on. At the moment, we are particularly interested in two window systems for which we have already received quotes. Perhaps you have some tips, experiences, or suggestions for us on this and other topics.
For the window front, we have the following options:

- JOSKO ONE system. This is an aluminum window system with an approximate frame visibility width of only 7cm (3 inches). The lift-and-slide door also has a similarly narrow frame, so it does not immediately catch the eye.

- Actual Cubic F Line combined with the "LOFT" all-glass system. Here, practically only the lift-and-slide door is framed with a visible wood-aluminum frame. The fixed windows next to it would be visually frameless and designed as "glass-to-glass joints."

- Drutex Iglu Energy uPVC windows: the most affordable option. However, skylights would have to be installed here because windows are not available in the full 2.80m (9 ft 2 inches) ceiling height.

While the first two options do not have a significant price difference (Actual being the cheaper one), the Drutex solution would be approximately €15,000 (about US $16,000) cheaper overall for all the windows in the house – but also with the least appealing material.

We would be very interested to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Thank you very much, and have a nice evening everyone!

Basement:

Ground floor:

Wow, quite a few changes there – did someone perhaps send their architect packing (or did they retire, and now the junior is in charge)?

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Something like this: We collaborated with architects on the design and are only managing the construction ourselves together with the engineering firm.

Here are a few 3D views – the color choices (windows, roof, etc.) have not been decided yet, and we would also be interested in your opinions on this.

You have a budget, right? Is 15,000 euros even feasible?

If you choose plastic windows, I would keep them white.
If you have enough money, go for the more expensive ones, at least in the basement.

Hello Haydee, to cover the additional €15,000, we would cut costs in other areas (for example, cheaper hardwood flooring than originally planned) to partly offset the extra expenses.

The appearance of the two more expensive options is clearly different compared to the plastic windows. That’s why we are currently leaning towards them. According to both suppliers, the durability is also better because the aluminum on the outside protects against deformation and material fatigue – what are your thoughts on this?

Are there any other assessments regarding Josko (aluminum) versus actual (wood-aluminum / full glass)?

We have plastic windows.
Compare the house of my aunt and my parents. The plastic windows from the 1980s are just as broken/intact as the aluminum ones.
Maybe we will completely renovate the house in 20 years? Who knows.
It was only advised against applying anthracite-colored film to the plastic windows. The window frames heat up significantly more in summer, which could affect their durability in the long term.
My husband works with plastics and didn’t see any issues.

However, for me, doors that do not meet the desired height would be a no-go. That would rule out plastic.

This is my personal opinion.