ᐅ Window opening options with controlled residential ventilation – planning ideas
Created on: 1 Nov 2020 14:22
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pagoni2020
After deciding to install a controlled residential ventilation system, my mindset regarding the possibility of opening windows has perhaps changed. I would appreciate hearing about your experiences on this topic.
We plan to design the larger glass areas in the so-called open space with a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio, meaning each would have one hinged door (no tilt-and-turn function); the large window by the dining table would even be fixed glass, while the individual rooms would have at least part of the window as an opening casement.
Originally, I wanted everything to be fully openable, at least to be able to bring in larger items if needed, and especially to ventilate at 150% capacity since I am a fresh air enthusiast. However, with controlled ventilation, fresh air is already supplied throughout the house, so I would essentially just have to change my mindset that used to tell me to open all the windows wide.
This way, I could install significantly more fixed glass, for example in the loft area where I had actually planned an automatic opening for ventilation.
Somehow, I still feel that I should be able to open everything, but that seems to be just a feeling rather than a real necessity.
For example, in the bathroom or even more so in the kitchen, I could install a very wide strip of uninterrupted glass—but then I wouldn’t be able to open the window.
What am I overlooking in my considerations, or what suggestions do you have on this topic?
We plan to design the larger glass areas in the so-called open space with a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio, meaning each would have one hinged door (no tilt-and-turn function); the large window by the dining table would even be fixed glass, while the individual rooms would have at least part of the window as an opening casement.
Originally, I wanted everything to be fully openable, at least to be able to bring in larger items if needed, and especially to ventilate at 150% capacity since I am a fresh air enthusiast. However, with controlled ventilation, fresh air is already supplied throughout the house, so I would essentially just have to change my mindset that used to tell me to open all the windows wide.
This way, I could install significantly more fixed glass, for example in the loft area where I had actually planned an automatic opening for ventilation.
Somehow, I still feel that I should be able to open everything, but that seems to be just a feeling rather than a real necessity.
For example, in the bathroom or even more so in the kitchen, I could install a very wide strip of uninterrupted glass—but then I wouldn’t be able to open the window.
What am I overlooking in my considerations, or what suggestions do you have on this topic?
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Osnabruecker3 Nov 2020 08:12Careful with fixed glass:
We have two fixed panes at our place... and my wife is already dreading the day we have to clean the roller shutters from the inside...
We have two fixed panes at our place... and my wife is already dreading the day we have to clean the roller shutters from the inside...
Osnabruecker schrieb:
Be careful with fixed glass panels:
We have two fixed sections in our house... and my wife already dreads the day when "we" have to clean the roller shutters from the inside... I had a similar setup in my detached house: always a fixed glass panel next to the patio door, about 5 times throughout the house — floor-to-ceiling and fitted with continuous roller shutters.
Under normal circumstances, you couldn’t clean the shutters from the inside. Fortunately, they were dark-colored, so the dirt wasn’t immediately noticeable.
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pagoni20203 Nov 2020 09:11evelinoz schrieb:
@pagoni2020, what do you actually do in the evenings with a 3 x 3 m (10 x 10 ft) window wall? You end up with a dark wall almost 10 m (33 ft) long, where every person and everything in the room is reflected?Interesting perspective; I guess I’m not the only one facing this situation in modern construction times (which doesn’t really change anything) 🤨 Honestly, I’m less worried about it since my old house also featured a lot of glass and I liked it. Still, the rooms are arranged a bit differently this time, so I’m curious to see how it will turn out. Well... during the daytime, you get a direct view of the greenery and open space.
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pagoni20203 Nov 2020 09:47As is often the case, it’s both a blessing and a curse at the same time 😱
Since the glass panels are each 3.10 meters (10 feet) wide and floor-to-ceiling, they would need to be divided into three sections to avoid having overly large doors. In that case, at least one section would remain fixed glass.
Visually, I prefer the uninterrupted glass surface of a fixed window... but with the mentioned drawbacks.
To avoid cleaning difficulties, all three sections should be operable, although we will only have external venetian blinds (also known as “raffstores”) and no other shading on the windows/doors, which makes cleaning easier.
In my old house, I had a huge lift-and-slide door next to a three-part casement window setup, each with external venetian blinds. A fixed glass section would remain with lift-and-slide doors as well.
Of course, furniture or similar items will partially block the possible opening areas of the doors, which doesn’t exactly make the choice between practicality and aesthetics any easier.
I am aware of the need for cross-ventilation, but I find it interesting to get experiences from owners of mechanical ventilation systems, as this is all new to me.
Ideally, I would prefer three folding windows on the south-facing side overlooking the garden/terrace, but then you have that large stack on the side when they’re open.
Hm... still searching for the all-in-one solution... nothing has happened yet. But the issue of ventilation has already been somewhat clarified.
Since the glass panels are each 3.10 meters (10 feet) wide and floor-to-ceiling, they would need to be divided into three sections to avoid having overly large doors. In that case, at least one section would remain fixed glass.
Visually, I prefer the uninterrupted glass surface of a fixed window... but with the mentioned drawbacks.
To avoid cleaning difficulties, all three sections should be operable, although we will only have external venetian blinds (also known as “raffstores”) and no other shading on the windows/doors, which makes cleaning easier.
In my old house, I had a huge lift-and-slide door next to a three-part casement window setup, each with external venetian blinds. A fixed glass section would remain with lift-and-slide doors as well.
Of course, furniture or similar items will partially block the possible opening areas of the doors, which doesn’t exactly make the choice between practicality and aesthetics any easier.
I am aware of the need for cross-ventilation, but I find it interesting to get experiences from owners of mechanical ventilation systems, as this is all new to me.
Ideally, I would prefer three folding windows on the south-facing side overlooking the garden/terrace, but then you have that large stack on the side when they’re open.
Hm... still searching for the all-in-one solution... nothing has happened yet. But the issue of ventilation has already been somewhat clarified.
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pagoni20203 Nov 2020 10:14kati1337 schrieb:
Only in the office when we game together in the evenings do we feel the need to ventilate.
If two gaming computers run at full load for two hours, the room temperature easily rises to 28°C (82°F) Ah, youth… Back then, we called it something different than “gaming,” as far as I can faintly remember. And “gaming computers” is a clever way to put it... 😀
Even though my life is different now, it’s really interesting to read thoughts like these; I’m already quite familiar with my own experience.
kati1337 schrieb:
Do you perhaps know anyone who already has a house with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and rarely ventilates manually? Maybe invite yourself over one Sunday and ask them to keep the windows closed beforehand so you can get an impression of the indoor air quality with mechanical ventilation. That would probably be the most sensible approach, since I’m the kind of person who prefers to experience things firsthand to make a better assessment.
In my age group and social circle, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is rarely installed, and the younger people would likely kick out an old, shaky guy like me after a short while if I just sat there breathing up the air for no reason. In fact, I don’t know anyone who has such a system, but that’s probably because I don’t get around as much as I used to. It’s either home or far away for a while... Before deciding to install mechanical ventilation, I will definitely check it out thoroughly somewhere first.
Osnabruecker schrieb:
Be careful with fixed glass:
We have two fixed panes at our place... and my wife is already dreading the day when “we” have to clean the shutters from the inside... ...part of the door, or half of it, usually remains fixed anyway if you have a lift-and-slide door (which is quite common); so all parts should be able to open to avoid that problem.
Nida35a schrieb:
We have only swing doors, without a fixed mullion. Usually only one leaf is open daily, and sometimes all of them if the mood strikes. Probably two-piece, right? That wouldn’t work here because it’s 3m (10 feet) wide. As mentioned before, both a blessing and a curse... 😎
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