What to know about floor-to-ceiling windows floor-to-ceiling windows
Modern homes showcase many dazzling features , but perhaps none draw as much as instant attention as floor-to-ceiling windows . Often seen in high-rise apartments that boast panoramic city views , floor-to-ceiling windows also are right at home in single-family dwellings .
Homeowners considering floor-to-ceiling windows may have lots of questions . The following rundown can provide some basic information that can help homeowners decide if floor-to-ceiling windows are right for their homes .
Cost
Cost is often the primary consideration when mulling a home renovation , and that ’ s even more significant as the world confronts the rising costs associated with inflation . The cost of installing floor-to-ceiling windows depends on a host of variables , including how many windows will be needed and where homeowners live . According to Modernize ® , a service that facilitates connections between renovation-minded homeowners and local contractors , a floor-to-ceiling window wall costs somewhere between $ 700 to $ 1,600 per linear foot . Framing and glazing will add to those costs . Homeowners considering floor-to-ceiling windows are urged to receive several estimates for the project prior to choosing a contractor .
Lighting and energy efficiency
One of the more appealing aspects of floor-toceiling windows is all the natural light they allow in . Of course , all that light also can drive up energy costs on sunny summer days . One way around that is to install energy efficient windows . Such windows include extra insulation to prevent cool air from escaping the home on summer days , which can reduce the need to lower the thermostat on your air conditioning . A wall of glass also can provide less insulation against the cold . The extra insulation in energy efficient windows also helps keep warm air from escaping a home in the winter . Energy efficient windows may cost more than less efficient alternatives . However , over the long haul , a wall of less efficient floor-to-ceiling windows will likely cost more due to excess energy consumption .
Privacy and fading
It ’ s easy to be overwhelmed by the view floorto-ceiling windows provide , especially in homes surrounded by serene natural settings like woods or properties that abut waterways . But that view outward also provides a view in , potentially compromising privacy . All that extra exposure to sunlight also can cause fabrics to fade over time . Floor-toceiling blinds and shades can protect homeowners ’ privacy and reduce fading on furniture , but this extra feature will add to the final cost of the project . Smart window tinting is another way to improve privacy and reduce fading , but this feature also will drive up the cost .
Floor-to-ceiling windows can be awe-inspiring . Homeowners considering such windows for their homes are urged to do their homework to ensure their homes are well-suited to this unique feature . n
38 June | July 2022 Thomasville Scene