Bigger windows are becoming increasingly popular in homes and businesses, and it’s easy to see why: they bring in more natural light, enhance the aesthetic of a space, and can even reduce energy costs.
This article will explore nine reasons why having large windows is always a great choice. From increasing the value of your property to giving you more control over your home environment, find out why installing larger windows is such an attractive option!
1. Increased Natural Light
Large windows let in more natural light than small ones, brightening your living spaces and reducing your need for artificial lighting. Natural lighting can also help you save money on your energy bills, as you’ll be able to rely less on electricity during the day.
The benefits of installing big windows in your home are numerous. Not only do they allow in natural light all year round, which increases productivity, and overall happiness and helps reduce mood swings. They also provide invaluable exposure to vitamin D and regulate your circadian rhythms, leading to improved sleep patterns.
In addition, natural light brings out a room’s colors, textures, and forms, making it more beautiful and inviting. Lastly, exposure to natural light can be a form of therapy for those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, helping to improve symptoms and overall well-being.
2. Enhanced Views (especially casement windows)
One advantage of larger windows is the contemporary, affluent air they offer to homes. This is especially true with casement windows. When casement windows are opened all the way, floor-to-ceiling windows can provide the impression of a much larger space inside a smaller room.
Benefiting from greater usable space, an advantage of having no walls is that furniture may be placed further apart. Having windows that look out onto the outside also provides a beautiful, unaltered canvas upon which to display decorative pieces.
Do you have a beautiful view from your home? Large windows will let you take full advantage of it, providing a much larger viewing area, and it would only take some additional window hardware. You’ll be able to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your own home. Life-sized windows in your home can make you feel closer to the outside world while being at a safe distance.
Picturesque
No matter if you live in the hustle-bustle of the city or the suburbs with beautiful nature, a big window will make you feel at one with your surroundings. As an added bonus point, a large window will give you a beautiful picture backdrop at night and provide ample natural light for indoor photography during the daytime.
3. Improved Aesthetics (particularly awning windows)
Large windows make a room look and feel larger, creating a more spacious and inviting atmosphere. This can add to the overall value of your home, as well as your own enjoyment of the space.
Match with your interior
In addition to light and views, large windows also provide an opportunity for homeowners to showcase their personal style. Windows can be customized with frames matching a home’s interior design and window treatments, adding extra personality to a home. From sheers to roman shades to valances, window treatments provide an opportunity to infuse a home with color and texture.
4. Maximum Ventilation
Large windows can be opened wider than small windows, allowing for better ventilation and air circulation. This can help to keep your home cooler in the summer and reduce the risk of mold and mildew buildup.
Our homes often contain allergens and other contaminants that can lead to serious health issues. Pollen, dust, and mold are common culprits of runny noses, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
To improve air quality, open up your replacement windows and allow fresh air to flow in and flush out unhealthy particles. Doing this regularly will help keep your family healthy and safe from airborne contaminants.
Improved air quality
Large windows can drastically improve the air quality of your home by allowing more oxygen to enter and circulate. When you open the window shades, the fresh air can positively impact your overall health, from strengthening your immune system to improving mental health and cleansing your lungs.
Furthermore, big windows allow you to connect with nature and reduce exposure to allergenic particles in the air. Investing in larger windows for your home can be a great way to benefit your health and well-being.
5. Increased Property Value
Large windows are a desirable feature for many homebuyers. By installing them in your home, you can increase the value of your property and make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Be aware of the lack of visual impact – replacing your home’s windows is a great investment that can yield one of the highest ROIs among home renovation projects.
ROI Fact
With an estimated 85 percent return on investment (ROI), window replacements offer much more bang for your buck than larger projects like a roof replacement or deck addition, which yield ROIs of 75 percent and 73 percent, respectively.
Even if you are considering a room remodel, it might be wise to consider window replacements first – not only for the financial benefits but for the added convenience of a project that can be completed in a fraction of the time.
6. Large Glass Windows Bring You Closer to Nature
The huge glass windows let the outdoors in, encouraging a biophilic relationship with the environment. Large windows, like sliding windows, that stretch from floor to ceiling draw attention to themselves and draw it to the scenery beyond.
Many large sliding windows can be opened to reveal the outdoors in all their glory. This way, it looks like there is no separation between you and nature. With bear-proof windows, you can look out on the great outdoors without worrying about big cats or other dangerous animals.
It’s very relaxing to be in such close proximity to nature. Large glass panes let in a stunning view of the outdoors, which is lovely any time of the year.
7. Make Your Indoor Garden Thrive
Our houseplants depend on a diet of light. It’s a necessary part of photosynthesis; without it, development is stunted or halted altogether. Different plants have different seasonal light requirements. Some plants can live in semi-darkness indefinitely, while others can’t stand it for more than a short while.
Take note of how the strategic placement of windows and doors may dramatically alter a room’s feel. To determine the nature of the available light and how it varies throughout the day, you’ll need to plan ahead and keep track of the sun’s path around the room.
Natural light is the easiest and cheapest form to offer, and you may do it by positioning the plant near a suitable window. If you have larger-sized windows, place your green friends nearby to let them have their share of a healthy sun diet.
8. Easier Cleaning (especially the single hung windows)
Large or small windows require frequent cleaning to maintain their pristine condition and the clear visibility they afford their owners. However, just because a bigger window necessitates more effort to clean doesn’t give one license to skimp on the process and end up with a dirty pane of glass.
Less time consuming to clean
Large windows, especially single hung windows, are easier to clean than small ones, as you can reach all areas without stretch or strain. Plus, there will be no dust caught in the little nooks and corners of little windows, which might be the case in double hung windows. This can save you time and effort in the long run, having only broadly placed borders to scale.
Recommendation to clean
We recommend using warm, soapy water, but be careful not to use too much detergent, as too many bubbles can create streaks on your windows. Use a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth and replace the water frequently to avoid spreading dust and debris! Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe up any droplets.
Finish using a glass cleaner or, if you prefer to prepare your own solution, a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part warm water. Spray this straight onto the glass and remove it with a soft paper towel.
9. Improved Home Efficiency
When it comes to energy efficiency and windows, size matters. Large windows let in more natural light, which helps to reduce the need for electric lighting during the day, cutting down on energy costs.
Energy efficiency
Additionally, large windows can reduce your heating and cooling system strain. During the winter months, large windows let in the sun’s warmth, reducing the need to turn up the thermostat. During the summer, large windows can be opened to allow a breeze and reduce the need to blast the air conditioning.
U-value and R-value
The technology used in modern windows is a big step above what was used in the past. In colder climates, several elements can improve the performance of larger windows. The U-value is the inverse of the R-value and is used to rate the energy efficiency of windows (which measures the rate of heat loss of a material per inch).
Look for windows with a lower U-value to determine their energy efficiency. All the below-mentioned qualities are optional in Energy Star-certified windows.
Big, energy-efficient windows will have two or three panes of glass to trap heat and keep out the cold (meaning the window frame consists of two or three panes of glass with space in between). Argon, krypton, or a combination of the two gases will be injected into the area between the panes to further insulate against temperature extremes.
Feature of energy efficient window coverings
Warm edge spacer
Energy-efficient windows feature warm edge spacer bars to reduce the transfer of heat and cold through the glass.
Coating
Energy efficiency can be further improved by coating a large window with a low-emittance (low-e) material. Depending on the local climate, various methods for applying these coatings exist.
Placement of coating
Coatings are typically placed on the inner pane in cooler areas to retain heat, whereas coatings are typically put on the outside pane in hot climates to keep the heat outside. These coatings can be customized further to allow solar gain on the south sides of buildings while blocking heat loss via windows facing the other directions.
Bonus: Selecting the Correct Glass for Your Big Windows
The guidelines for balancing the U-factor and SHGC are rather simple. Imagine yourself in a cold, northern area where staying warm is your top priority. You would want a low U-factor to reduce heat loss via windows and a high SHGC to let in more free solar heat.
On the other hand, homeowners in hot southern regions might not be as concerned with the U-factor and instead invest more substantially in a product with a low SHGC to keep heat out of the house. Since the purpose of a window is to let in light and allow you to see outside. Still, heat-reduction techniques can make it darker, and visible transmittance (VT) becomes another factor to consider in these situations.
Choose a high VT to let more light enter and a low SHGC to keep heat out
The number of panes, insulating gases, and low emissivity (Low E) coatings are the three factors that determine how efficient a window is. Most contemporary windows have two panes, while individuals who are particularly concerned with separating the interior and outdoor climates frequently choose triple-pane windows. Argon and krypton, two insulating gases, aid in reducing the rate of heat transmission between the glass panes, improving the thermal barrier.
You can alter how radiant heat is reflected and absorbed by varying the number of panes, coatings, and coated surfaces in low E coatings, which are essentially invisible metallic glazes essential for directing heat where you want to go. You can see that there are many factors to consider and ways to customize the finest window for your requirements.
Safety Concerns?
Some homebuyers worry about intruders and crime if they choose bigger windows in their new homes. A large amount of glass invites both nosy neighbors and the risk of being broken into. But these issues, too, have answers. Both internal and external shields can be strategically placed to preserve privacy.
However, it is important to prioritize security from the outset of the building process by betting on burglary-prevention measures when selecting the woodwork. With the addition of anti-burglary mushroom cameras, unique latches, and laminated reinforced glass, even a sizable window or terrace door can protect a home from intruders.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering adding large windows to your home, there are many things to consider. But, in the end, they can be a great addition to your home’s architecture and can provide a lot of natural light and ventilation.
When it comes to windows, size does matter. A large window can provide plenty of natural light and fresh air, making your home more comfortable and inviting. Choose a large window for your next home renovation and enjoy the many benefits it has to offer.
If you are looking to install large aluminum frame windows, aluminum sliding doors, or aluminum sliding windows to glorify your home, get in touch with ORIDOW. The company manufactures superior quality UPVC doors and windows, screens and shutters, and various aluminum windows and doors. Headquartered in China, ORIDOW offers a range of products to provide convenience to its clients. The company caters to homeowners, builders, traders, contractors, retailers, and wholesalers across Southeast Asian and Caribbean countries.
About the Author
The author is a professional designer of UPVC and aluminum windows and doors. With his extensive experience and knowledge, he writes about UPVC doors and windows, vinyl replacement windows, aluminum doors and windows, integral blinds, jalousie windows, hurricane impact windows, and stainless steel screens to help clients make the best and most educated choices.
