Inspired Living with Floor to Ceiling Windows

Create an Open and Natural Atmosphere

You need not live in a skyscraper in New York City to enjoy spectacular views. Floor to ceiling windows are making a strong comeback and prized for their dazzling views, natural light and ability to open up spaces. Previously common in 19th century as a form of natural air conditioning, they became increasingly popular in large commercial buildings and offices. Today, modern homeowners have rediscovered the wonder of expansive floor to ceiling windows. Neuffer offers inspiring custom made solutions that will transform your room and facade while still offering excellent energy saving performance.

Flexible Design for Access, Light and Ventilation

Floor to ceiling windows, stretching not just vertically but horizontally across a room, can create a stunning visual bridge between indoors and outdoors. Whether installed on the ground floor or an upper one, they make a dramatic impact and can be used alone or across and entire wall. Unlike a static wall though, they offer a great deal of flexibility in terms of design and performance.

Typically, floor-to-ceiling windows are fixed and inoperable. There are nevertheless many methods of adding both ventilation and access options. For fresh air and ventilation options, adding an upper transom with a tilt function is a simple and frequent solution.

For both access and ventilation, incorporating French doors, folding doors or lift and slide doors will maintain the uniform glass look while enabling access to the garden or patio as well as letting fresh air in.

Security and Safety Considerations

Whether you plan on installing floor-to-ceiling windows on upper floors or ground level, certain safety and security features need to be considered including:

Frame material
Locking system
Glazing
Safety rails

For upper floors, waist-high safety rails are typically required. There are many different solutions for this such as cast-iron rails or premium steel rails in the contemporary Bauhaus style.

It is also necessary to install safety glazing on the upper floor to prevent accidental impact resulting in someone falling out. Laminated safety glass on the inner pane is the ideal solution. While it does add cost, it is offset by the overall value added to properties with floor to ceiling windows.

For those on the ground floor, a large glass surface must be reinforced against both accidental impacts (e.g. balls, objects, people tripping) as well as entry attempts.

Laminated safety glass on the outer frame, or both inner and outer offer an excellent solution along with multipoint locking for doors and operable windows.

Energy Efficiency for Large Glazed Surfaces

With such large glazed surfaces comes the potential to lose or save a lot of energy. All of our windows come with a minimum of double glazing. However, adding triple glazing can boost the U-values to even passive house levels and is generally recommended.

In the summer, however, large glass surfaces can potentially heat up the room. Therefore, based on your climate and the window's orientation to the sun, you may consider low-e glass. This special coating reflects infrared energy (i.e. heat) which can help let light in but not heat. Alternatively, if looking to maximise solar heat gain, the coating can be applied so as to reflect heat into the home.

Can Floor to Ceiling Windows be Installed during a Renovation?

As long as there are no structural restrictions, floor to ceiling windows can be installed in nearly any facade whether new construction or during renovations. In fact, one of the most frequent cases of this is ground level installation facing the garden. Combined with large folding or lift and slide doors, they can provide the perfect barrier free path outside and create an open and natural atmosphere.

For those concerned about privacy on ground floors, planting trees or bushes in a garden is a convenient low-cost solution. Frosted glass, however, is also an option.

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