ᐅ Windows in New Construction – What Size, Quality, and Shutters to Choose?

Hello,

we are planning to build a single-family house.

The construction company has now created a plan that includes large double-leaf patio doors measuring 173 cm (68 inches) wide and 215 cm (85 inches) high.
Is this width enough to comfortably go outside with only one door open? The height of only 215 cm (85 inches) also seems a bit low to me, especially since the ceiling height will be "only" 250 cm (98 inches), and it might look odd if the door reaches up to 20 cm (8 inches) below the ceiling.
What width and height do you recommend for double-leaf patio doors? I am thinking of something like 200 cm x 230 cm (79 x 91 inches). What did you decide?

The construction company says that uPVC windows with a colored foil coating on the outside are sufficient and that the coating will not peel off or wrinkle over time.
Is that really the case now? The extra cost for uPVC windows with an aluminum cladding on the outside is quite significant, and I am not sure if it’s worth it.

Are aluminum roller shutter slats mandatory in new builds, or are plastic roller shutter slats sufficient? Would you pay the extra cost?

Best regards,
Robert

Forsberg21 schrieb:

The construction company has now created a plan and included large double-leaf patio doors measuring 173 cm (68 inches) wide and 215 cm (85 inches) high.
Is this width enough for comfortable access when only one door is open? The height of just 215 cm (85 inches) also seems a bit low to me, especially since the ceiling height will be only 250 cm (98 inches), and it might look odd if the door reaches up to 20 cm (8 inches) below the ceiling.
What width and height do you recommend for double-leaf patio doors? I’m thinking something like 200 cm x 230 cm (79 x 91 inches). What have you decided?
Hello Robert,

It's really all a matter of price. In my opinion, double-leaf patio doors aren’t ideal. You’ll definitely thank me later if you ever need to install an insect screen. I’d go for one fixed panel and one tilt-and-turn door. Regarding width, I agree with you. A 1-meter (39-inch) wide door provides an 85 cm (33-inch) opening, which makes it easy to go in and out with a flower box. The window height depends on the builder. They often specialize in a manufacturer of roller shutter boxes. With a 2.5 m (98 inch) ceiling height, I don’t think a 2.3 m (90 inch) high window is feasible. Ask your builder what the maximum height can be. I would prefer something like that too. But as I said, it all comes down to price. The 1.73 x 2.15 m (68 x 85 inch) dimensions are probably the standard sizes offered by their window supplier. “Can’t be done” doesn’t exist. There are also floor-to-ceiling windows. 😉

Forsberg21 schrieb:

The construction company says that uPVC windows with a colored foil coating on the outside are sufficient and that the coating won’t peel or wrinkle over time.
Is that true nowadays?

I believed my window supplier as well and bought Schüco windows with foil coating. On the west gable, after just 15 years, I already have the first wrinkles and peeling.

Forsberg21 schrieb:

Are aluminum roller shutter slats mandatory in new builds, or are plastic slats sufficient? Would you pay the extra cost?

For my 2 m (79 inch) wide window, I ordered aluminum. Everything else is plastic. For 1.73 m (68 inch) wide doors, I think plastic slats are fine.

Maybe you could also order one small fixed panel and a 1 m (39 inch) door?

Best regards from hanghaus2023

Height 2.15 meters (7 ft) is standard with a ceiling height of 2.50 meters (8 ft 2 in).
Width is initially chosen to suit the house type and style, overall house width, and then adapted to room size and purpose. The total windows should harmonize together. They also contribute to the design of the rooms and the house.
At 1.73 meters (5 ft 8 in), you will probably get two 80 cm (31.5 in) doors. Carrying a tray or something else in your hand will already be difficult.
We have chosen 2-meter (6 ft 7 in) doors and single doors at 100 cm (39.4 in). Only two secondary rooms have 80 cm (31.5 in) doors: you notice the difference there.

Forsberg21 schrieb:

The construction company says that plastic windows with a colored foil coating on the outside are sufficient and the coating does not peel or wrinkle over time.

That’s enough and appropriate!

Forsberg21 schrieb:

Is that the case nowadays?

Yes, already a good generation 😉

Forsberg21 schrieb:

Are aluminum roller shutter slats mandatory in new builds, or are plastic roller shutter slats sufficient?

Why should they be mandatory? Ours work fine with plastic slats as well.

Thank you for the responses.

We have also considered having one fixed door leaf and one tilt-and-turn, and that wouldn’t be a disadvantage for us since only the same door would usually be opened. Since we probably won’t have a ventilation system and will need to ventilate manually (solid construction house), the question arises whether the rooms (kitchen/dining area, living room, children’s room) can still be ventilated quickly enough (each room has two floor-to-ceiling doors/windows). Probably yes.

When I think about it, 2.15 m (7 ft) high patio doors might not be so bad after all. I need to test that for myself. A width of about 2 m (6 ft 6 in) is definitely desirable if you often pass through the door.

Allegedly, PVC roller shutters provide less heat protection compared to aluminum roller shutters, offer poorer sound insulation, lower burglary resistance, are less durable, and can deform more in heat. Also, aluminum shutters are recommended for windows above a certain width. For us, the most important factors are heat protection and deformation in heat.

On the ground floor, only external venetian blinds will be installed, so this question only applies to the upper floor. Since we will have large windows—probably about 2 m (6 ft 6 in) wide—facing south in two rooms, we will likely use aluminum roller shutters there. For the other rooms on the upper floor, it will probably depend on the additional cost and whether the difference is noticeable aesthetically.

But it is reassuring to know that roller shutter slats made of PVC are not fundamentally bad.

Forsberg21 schrieb:

We have also considered having one fixed sash and one tilt-and-turn, and for us, that wouldn’t be a disadvantage,

And how do you plan to clean roller shutters behind fixed glazing?

Forsberg21 schrieb:

Supposedly, plastic roller shutter slats offer less heat protection compared to aluminum slats, provide poorer sound insulation, weaker burglary resistance, are less durable, and can deform more when exposed to heat.

Hmm! They do darken rooms, sound insulation should work differently, burglary protection: if someone wants to get in, they will, and haha, I have never seen a deformed roller shutter. Some common myths seem to be coming up here. And with venetian blinds, do you get better burglary resistance? Better sound insulation? Before I even consider these buzzwords, I am thinking more about a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.

Forsberg21 schrieb:

so the question only applies to the upper floor.

Oh, only on the upper floor...

Forsberg21 schrieb:

and will probably now have 2-meter-wide windows facing south,

And why suddenly plan for 2-meter (6 ft 7 in) wide windows facing south if you could plan differently to avoid issues like “deformed roller shutters” through smart design?

For me, this feels like putting the cart before the horse. I also miss the basic question: “Are there any disadvantages to plastic slats in roller shutters?” First, you should design the house and adjust the window widths accordingly, then finalize the details afterwards. Whether you choose aluminum or plastic will be a budget decision at that stage.

Forsberg21 schrieb:

whether it stands out visually.

What exactly would stand out visually?

Forsberg21 schrieb:

we are planning to build a single-family house. The construction company has now created a plan

From your posting history, I get the impression that you engage only minimally with your topics; and we don’t know the plan (so we are basically like blind people talking about color). That makes it less appealing to respond to you. Nevertheless, I am doing so for the benefit of other readers. I come from a family of butchers and used to run an aluminum window manufacturing business. I will never become a vegetarian, and in my own house, PVC windows only belong in the bathroom and utility room.

Regarding the windows and roller shutters (as has probably been said several times): 1. Never use sliding elements for patio doors narrower than 250cm (98 inches); at a width of 173cm (68 inches) (should probably be nominally 176cm (69 inches)?) I would split them asymmetrically and use only casement sashes on both leaves (tilt-and-turn can be done by another window). 2. On the ground floor (and on the upper floor where you can access the roof of the garage) choose the higher RC security class and aluminum roller shutters. The darker the frame color, the more strongly I recommend preferring coextruded foil finishes over standard laminates (e.g. Gealan).

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