Hello everyone,
We are currently in the detailed planning phase with our architect, working on the structural shell.
We are focusing on the window situation right now.
Shutters are desired, yes. Also electric ones. But are shutters really necessary everywhere?
Where have you decided against them, and do you think that was a good choice or a mistake in hindsight?
Electric shutters are planned for all bedrooms and living rooms. For the dining area, possibly venetian blinds (south- and west-facing doors).
The following rooms/windows are still a big question mark:
• Pantry (east-facing window) – currently planning a shutter for thermal insulation?
• Living room (strip of windows on the west side) – currently planning a shutter because of late afternoon sun (TV)?
• Utility/technical room (patio door on the north side) – intrusion protection?
• Guest WC (north side) – ground floor intrusion protection?
• Upstairs hallway (almost floor-to-ceiling window facing east) – currently planning a shutter for thermal insulation
• Upstairs bathroom (strip of windows on east side and window on north side) – currently no shutters planned
• Attic bathroom (small window on east side and roof window on north side) – currently no shutters planned.
Is it worth the cost/comfort to skip these shutters? Or which ones are actually necessary?
Thanks in advance.
milkie
We are currently in the detailed planning phase with our architect, working on the structural shell.
We are focusing on the window situation right now.
Shutters are desired, yes. Also electric ones. But are shutters really necessary everywhere?
Where have you decided against them, and do you think that was a good choice or a mistake in hindsight?
Electric shutters are planned for all bedrooms and living rooms. For the dining area, possibly venetian blinds (south- and west-facing doors).
The following rooms/windows are still a big question mark:
• Pantry (east-facing window) – currently planning a shutter for thermal insulation?
• Living room (strip of windows on the west side) – currently planning a shutter because of late afternoon sun (TV)?
• Utility/technical room (patio door on the north side) – intrusion protection?
• Guest WC (north side) – ground floor intrusion protection?
• Upstairs hallway (almost floor-to-ceiling window facing east) – currently planning a shutter for thermal insulation
• Upstairs bathroom (strip of windows on east side and window on north side) – currently no shutters planned
• Attic bathroom (small window on east side and roof window on north side) – currently no shutters planned.
Is it worth the cost/comfort to skip these shutters? Or which ones are actually necessary?
Thanks in advance.
milkie
I
Irgendwoabaier21 Jun 2014 17:36Simply put: Roller shutters have little impact on thermal insulation but are important for thermal protection. As burglar resistance, they are rather ineffective—most cannot withstand a levering attack, and plastic roller shutters do not make much noise either.
Roof windows: What is the roof pitch? Less than 60°? Then definitely with roller shutters, even on the north side.
We have exactly three windows without roller shutters—two basement rooms that only lead to light wells/ventilation shafts, and the stairwell on the north side. That window is positioned so that no one can look inside anyway, and it only lets some light into the stairs. All other windows have either roller shutters or external blinds. This includes the bathroom window on the north side—this could be debatable if the bathroom didn’t also have a window facing east, but having one window with and one without shutters in the same room is not an option. Also: bathroom at night, outside dark, inside bright, and no blind—my partner would definitely protest!
Roof windows: What is the roof pitch? Less than 60°? Then definitely with roller shutters, even on the north side.
We have exactly three windows without roller shutters—two basement rooms that only lead to light wells/ventilation shafts, and the stairwell on the north side. That window is positioned so that no one can look inside anyway, and it only lets some light into the stairs. All other windows have either roller shutters or external blinds. This includes the bathroom window on the north side—this could be debatable if the bathroom didn’t also have a window facing east, but having one window with and one without shutters in the same room is not an option. Also: bathroom at night, outside dark, inside bright, and no blind—my partner would definitely protest!
Yes, I meant thermal insulation, of course. My mistake.
So, do you think we can skip the north-facing windows on the ground floor?
The bathroom and hallway on the upper floor will have interior blinds, so privacy is already taken care of. But yes, there are also east-facing windows. Maybe roller shutters would be a good idea here for thermal insulation? Even with triple glazing and a U-value of 0.6?
milkie
So, do you think we can skip the north-facing windows on the ground floor?
The bathroom and hallway on the upper floor will have interior blinds, so privacy is already taken care of. But yes, there are also east-facing windows. Maybe roller shutters would be a good idea here for thermal insulation? Even with triple glazing and a U-value of 0.6?
milkie
projekthausbau21 Jun 2014 18:45Hello everyone...
I have to say that I wouldn’t do without roller shutters anywhere (except for basement window wells). On the floor plan, it’s easy to say to just leave out a roller shutter here and there, but does skipping two really save that much? You should also keep in mind that retrofitting is always more expensive and visually changes the whole appearance.
I have to say that I wouldn’t do without roller shutters anywhere (except for basement window wells). On the floor plan, it’s easy to say to just leave out a roller shutter here and there, but does skipping two really save that much? You should also keep in mind that retrofitting is always more expensive and visually changes the whole appearance.
Whatever you decide:
For thermal insulation reasons, we installed roller shutters on the patio doors on the east (2m² (22ft²)), south (6m² (65ft²)), and west sides (4m² (43ft²)).
This was the architect’s recommendation.
We have hardly used them for those reasons – and that despite what felt like the last 60 sunny days (we already had summer here in the north). Twice on the south side, they were half-closed, and that was it.
Of course, the roller shutter on the south bedroom window was used more frequently – it’s essential there.
Also, as privacy screens, they have been left more often open in recent weeks – because we created a beautiful garden and want to enjoy the view. But if you want to, you can close them… that’s probably the main argument for roller shutters. And of course: the main window does get closed sometimes, because people walking on the gravel path behind our property can clearly see into the dining area. Our sofa is well protected.
There are, of course, people (seen in our neighborhood) who keep their windows tightly closed from 8 p.m. onwards... even in this wonderful weather – to each their own.
In the north, we completely avoided them; upstairs we enjoy the brightness right after waking up – during the darker months, we did not miss them upstairs.
For thermal insulation reasons, we installed roller shutters on the patio doors on the east (2m² (22ft²)), south (6m² (65ft²)), and west sides (4m² (43ft²)).
This was the architect’s recommendation.
We have hardly used them for those reasons – and that despite what felt like the last 60 sunny days (we already had summer here in the north). Twice on the south side, they were half-closed, and that was it.
Of course, the roller shutter on the south bedroom window was used more frequently – it’s essential there.
Also, as privacy screens, they have been left more often open in recent weeks – because we created a beautiful garden and want to enjoy the view. But if you want to, you can close them… that’s probably the main argument for roller shutters. And of course: the main window does get closed sometimes, because people walking on the gravel path behind our property can clearly see into the dining area. Our sofa is well protected.
There are, of course, people (seen in our neighborhood) who keep their windows tightly closed from 8 p.m. onwards... even in this wonderful weather – to each their own.
In the north, we completely avoided them; upstairs we enjoy the brightness right after waking up – during the darker months, we did not miss them upstairs.
I guess it also depends on how close the neighbors are, right?
For us, it’s mainly about the east and north sides. On the north side, we have 20m (65 feet) of garden before the neighbors behind have another 10m (33 feet) of garden. Is it visible from there? Hardly. And as I mentioned, a blind is planned for the bathroom anyway.
The east-facing bathroom window (a strip window) isn’t really visible either, and the hallway window will have blinds installed on the inside. Our main concern here is thermal insulation. The neighboring lot is still undeveloped but owned by family, and will eventually be built on by my sister-in-law.
For the utility room, we also thought about possibly adding a secondary entrance door with a window, if it would save costs. That would solve the issue with roller shutters anyway. Are there any disadvantages to this otherwise?
milkie
For us, it’s mainly about the east and north sides. On the north side, we have 20m (65 feet) of garden before the neighbors behind have another 10m (33 feet) of garden. Is it visible from there? Hardly. And as I mentioned, a blind is planned for the bathroom anyway.
The east-facing bathroom window (a strip window) isn’t really visible either, and the hallway window will have blinds installed on the inside. Our main concern here is thermal insulation. The neighboring lot is still undeveloped but owned by family, and will eventually be built on by my sister-in-law.
For the utility room, we also thought about possibly adding a secondary entrance door with a window, if it would save costs. That would solve the issue with roller shutters anyway. Are there any disadvantages to this otherwise?
milkie
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