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Tuesday, May 16, 2006
A room with more than just a view
By Zac Faelnar-Camara
The perfect window frames a perfect view. Imagine waking-up to the magnificent sight of Taal Volcano on a misty morning or the fantastic city skyscrapers that transform into brilliant gems by night, or looking out into the sunset over the horizon at the end of each summer’s day as you wind down before dinner.
These are the pleasures of having a room with a view and you owe it all to picture windows.
However, windows can do much more than frame that pretty picture for you. Functionality is an important consideration when picking out windows for your home or office, whether you are planning on building, leasing or buying a place.
Consider these two other factors: light, ventilation and consequently energy-efficiency.
In all likelihood, every house, commercial structure and skyscraper you see around you showcases different types of windows. To simplify, here are three of the more common ones: sliding windows, awnings and jalousies.
The sliding (or gliding) windows offer a contemporary feel and usually frame glass panels that slide or glide horizontally, thereby giving you the opportunity to appreciate an unobstructed view. This type of window allows only half-ventilation but good light.
The awning windows are the types that you push out from the bottom. These allow partial ventilation. Many condominiums use this type of window placed above large glass paneled picture windows for an unobstructed view of the skyline. A combination of awnings and picture windows is a wonderful way to flood a room with natural light that changes dramatically from dawn to dusk.
The jalousies resemble louvers when closed, offer no views at all, but when open allow a great deal of ventilation. If you consider energy conservation, though, this window type allows a lot of cool air to escape from your air-conditioned rooms.
If these window types haven’t appealed to you so far, there are those fancier still, such as bay windows, bow windows and more. The choices are as plenty as are the reasons for appreciating one window type over the other.
It would be terrific to have windows that open fully outward to allow the cool breeze to flow through, the summer heat to escape, the sunlight to stream in, and the view to be absorbed. Maybe you could consider patio doors instead of windows! That should broaden your horizons!
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 16, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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