ᐅ What fall protection is recommended for floor-to-ceiling windows? Advantages/Disadvantages

In the upper floor, below the windows, we installed knee walls (about one-third of the height). This was done for the same reasons as before. The fall protection solutions we liked aesthetically were unaffordable. Galvanized grilles were not an option.

That’s how the knee walls came into play. In terms of cost, they were neutral since the grilles were omitted. Another advantage: the fixed glazing was then executed as laminated safety glass (VSG(P4)) according to DIN 18008.

This way, the appearance is clean without intrusive grilles. There is a white border running around, which does not affect the visual appeal.

Cleaning can be done from the outside using a ladder. This does not pose a problem. There is no need to open the windows for ventilation if controlled mechanical ventilation is installed, as the original poster plans.

Subwoofer schrieb:

@World-e Ventilation is less likely to be an issue since we currently have a central supply and exhaust ventilation system planned.

We also have a controlled ventilation system. But especially in midsummer, it was definitely more comfortable with the windows open—not because of the air quality, but due to the temperature.

Mycraft schrieb:

In the upper floor, at the bottom part of the windows, we have muntin bars (about 1/3 of the area). This was also for the same reasons. What we liked visually as fall protection was unaffordable. Galvanized grilles were not an option.

That’s how the muntin bars came into play. In terms of price, these were neutral since the grilles were omitted.

I’m not quite sure I understand. So the grille you liked was very expensive. But the safety-glazed windows cost the same as regular windows plus the expensive grilles? That would lead to the same total cost, meaning you could have chosen the expensive railings instead. Or am I missing something here?

Galvanized grilles + standard windows = Total X
Nicer grilles + standard windows = Total X + Y
Windows with transom element and laminated safety glass without grille = Total X

This was our calculation. It eliminated an entire work step and some materials, namely "installing grilles," after everything else was completed. Therefore, no additional trip was necessary to do this.

We installed window grilles for aesthetic reasons, mounted with facing bricks and in the reveals. However, most people seem to prefer fixed elements on their windows. It’s a matter of personal taste.

The material cost without installation is 500€ per window (1.5m (5 feet)) for a combination of powder-coated grille with a stainless steel handrail. Pure stainless steel would have been the same price. Zinc is cheaper. We didn’t request prices for windows, but they are certainly less expensive. If 500€ is the price for your desired grilles, I think that’s fair.

Thanks to the controlled ventilation system with heat recovery, featuring a reversible heat exchanger (not every controlled ventilation system has this), we definitely do not open the windows during the peak of summer.