Top Design Tips for Double Glazing and Replacement Windows

In this section we introduce you to some very important but often overlooked issues when choosing window designs. Regrettably we find that quite often some aspects of window design are not discussed at the buying stage. These aspects can often turn out to be very important to the buyer. 

One such issue is "equal sight lines"

Unequal Sight Lines	Equal Sight Lines

When manufacturing most modern replacement windows it is normal for there to be smaller areas of glass wherever there are openings (sashes) fitted. Where the frames are fixed the glass area will be larger. This "unequal" sight line is quite normal and acceptable to most people.

However on a lot of older properties (and indeed some newer ones) it was more common to have an equal sight line. (i.e. you would not be able to tell from the outside which windows opened and which did not.) Fitting "dummy sashes" or "dummy openers" into the frames created this "equal" sight line. 

As you will see from the photographs above the windows can have a considerably different appearance dependant on whether or not they have equal sight lines.

Equal site lines are not for everybody - indeed some will not like the overall "bulkier" appearance. However there is no doubt that for some types of property this will be a "better bet". It is also a very good alternative with Georgian and Leaded Light window designs as it allows you to have rectangles / squares that are more equal in size. (For a full explanation on this have a look at our Glass Extras page.)

Having equal site lines adds to the overall cost of your replacement windows and for this reason many people do not favour this approach. That said -- it is still a worthwhile consideration in our opinion. 

Another possible alternative is to consider having "vertical equal sight lines". With this approach fixed windows are always above fixed windows and opening windows are always above opening windows. Ask you suppliers for more information on this if this is unclear to you.

Another design issue that is often overlooked is whether to use black gaskets or white gaskets on your white PVCu windows.

Black coloured gaskets are the norm with most companies and are widely fitted. In the past white gaskets had not been favoured as it was not always possible to get a "matching" white and it was not also possible to offer a "colour fast" guarantee. This has now changed and more and more companies now offer both alternatives.

We feel white gaskets are a good alternative - especially on "panelled" doors. 

This photograph shows a panelled door design with black gasket. It would have looked better with a white gasket.

An alternative to white gaskets are "low profile" black gaskets which are very slim and less obtrusive. 

One disadvantage of white gaskets reported by some people is that the gasket will often appear grubby and show up the dust/dirt. This may be an important consideration is you live close to a major road network etc. (Or don't fancy cleaning too often!)

Whatever your choice we do especially recommend white gaskets on white PVCu panelled doors.

Consider your Neighbours

When replacing windows it is sometimes worth considering the effect of your changes on the overall appearance of the street or road where you live. 

For instance if you and your neighbour both agree on a style for your windows the overall effect can be considerably better if you both agree to use similar designs. It doesn't matter if you both use the same company or even have the work done at the same time. 

Sometimes using "conflicting" styles or designs "side by side" will spoil the appearance of the neighbourhood. As can be seen in the photograph, using similar designs on both of these porches has added to the visual appearance for these two neighbours.

Our grateful thanks to Cavan Sullivan at Welsh Window Systems for this particular "neighbours tip" http://www.welshwindows.co.uk

SPECIAL NOTE

We will be adding additional Window Design Tips here from time to time. If you have a tip to share or a point you feel we should make please e-mail our webmaster by clicking here.