Picture Windows and Mountain Views

Stand in the yard facing north and look at what the house hides, because the San Bernardino Mountains are the best reason to choose a picture window, a point the notes at san bernardino new windows petersburg4u return to. New windows in San Bernardino, CA are often picked to frame that view, not just to let in light.

What a picture window is

A picture window is a large fixed pane of glass in a frame, with no sash that opens. Without a sash, there are no moving parts, no gaskets to wear and no hardware to fail. The glass area is larger, so the view is clearer, and the frame itself is thinner than a window that opens.

Framing the view

The window is placed at a height where the view starts at the sill, not behind the back of a sofa. In a house with a mountain view, the sill is often lowered, and the glass extends toward the floor. Side windows that open, such as casements, give ventilation while the center stays fixed.

Glass size and weight

A large insulated glass unit is heavy, often more than a hundred pounds. The frame must be strong, and the opening must have a header that can carry the load. A big picture window installed in an old wall may need a new header, and the framing is checked before the order.

Heat and glare

A mountain view usually means a view to the north, which gets less direct sun. A south or west view is hotter. Low-E glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient cuts heat and glare while keeping the view clear. Tinted glass changes the color of the view, so most owners prefer a clear coating.

Safety and cleaning

Large fixed glass near the floor must be tempered or laminated, since a person could walk into it. Cleaning is easy from outside, and a squeegee leaves no streaks. Fixed windows have no seals to leak, though the glass edge still depends on the sealant around the frame, which should be checked from time to time. A bead that has cracked or pulled from the frame lets water in at the bottom edge, and a quick look each spring, with a small mirror held under the lower edge, is enough to catch it before the stain shows on the wall.