If you're unhappy with how closed off one of the rooms in your home may be, a solution may be to install a window where there was previously just a wall. You can open up small rooms and make them appear a lot larger by installing a window and letting some natural sunlight enter. Letting natural sunlight enter the room can also improve overall productivity within the room and improve one's mood. Still, installing a window in a wall that previously had none is considered to be a relatively major renovation. There's a lot of planning involved. This article will look at 3 important factors that you should consider and keep in mind when choosing where the window should be placed.
The Size of the Window Versus the Layout and Blueprint of the Wall
You can't simply decide to put a window on a wall anywhere you want without having to face any consequences or repercussions. There's a good chance that there is electric wiring and plumbing underneath the underlying structure of the wall. Before you decide where you want the window to be installed, get a blueprint of the structure and layout of your home. It's vital that you consider whether there are any underlying structures behind the wall that you need to be aware of.
If electric wiring, ductwork or even plumbing does run through the new window location, you'll have to hire either an electrician, a heating expert or even a plumber to move the lines. Depending on the layout of your home or how large you want the windows to be, you may find that moving the lines will be impossible or too much hassle. In which case, you'll have to find a new location for the window installation.
The Direction that the Window Would Be Facing and the Amount of Sunlight It'll Let In
In most cases, homeowners are interested in installing a window because they would like to let more natural sunlight enter the room. If this is the case for your situation, you'll also have to take into consideration the direction that the window is facing, the type of structure or view that you'd likely get from installing the window at each location and the amount of sunlight that the window will likely let in.
If the window is installed facing the east, it might give you a good view of the sunrise; however, you might not necessarily be a morning person, and you might not want the brightness of the sun as it is rising each morning to wake you up. On the other hand, if you appreciate watching the sunset every night, you might want to install the window on a wall facing the west if possible. Keep in mind that the sun's glare can be quite blinding. You'll also have to consider the type of view that you'd like to enjoy. For example, if the window will provide you with an oceanview, installing a window can improve the market value of your home. Don't forget to also take into consideration whether there are any obstructions present on the other side of the wall. There's nothing worse than taking the time to install a window only to find that the only view you have is the wall of the neighboring building.
The Amount of Traffic or Noise that the Window Would Let In
If you live on a busy street, don't underestimate the amount of noise that installing a window would let in. The insulation in the walls is not only great at preventing heat loss, but also great at reducing noise transfer as well. If you install a window facing the street, the window is essentially an opening and a breach where noise can now potentially enter your room and home. If you appreciate a quieter lifestyle, you might not necessarily be happy with the extra noise that comes with installing a window.
In addition, it's also important to consider the amount of privacy that you would lose by installing the window. Once again, if there's heavy foot traffic outside, installing a window would potentially allow those outside from getting a clear view inside.
Conclusion
Don't just install a window wherever possible. The placement of the new window should be heavily scrutinized and debated upon, as installing a new window is quite a lot of work. Once the window is installed, it would also take a lot of effort and money to reverse the installation should you be unhappy with the placement of the window in the future. Talk to a company like Energy Star Construction for more information.
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