House plans, home builders & dreams

It is good for your health to make sure your house is well ventilated and you need to choose windows to suit the climate and the style of your house. You can, of course, have more than one type of window in the same house.

If you live in a cold climate, you should consider double-glazing, as it can substantially reduce the need for heating.

There are also glass treatments that can reduce the amount of heat, glare and UV rays that enter your house by up to 65%. These are expensive but they certainly help stop your furniture from fading etc.

You can also have windows like bay windows that protrude from the building.

Often security is neglected when planning a house as sometimes architects don't want you to wreck the aesthetic design of the house. But unfortunately in these modern times, women especially feel vulnerable (except maybe those with black belts in karate) and what is the point of having a house if it is stuffy because you don't want to open up all the bi-fold doors as they will let intruders just wander in.

It is true that any house can be broken into if someone really wants to, but surely it is wise to make it more difficult for them to do this so that they won't attempt it while you are inside it. I think it is wise to plan the security aspects to fit in with the overall plan of the house so that you can still achieve some aesthetics as well as feeling secure.

These windows can open outwards or inwards.

In Australia, these are sometimes called "Queenslander windows".

See the ebook for the rest of this section.

See the ebook for the rest of this section.

See the ebook for the rest of this section.

See the ebook for the rest of this section.

The window frames can be made from:

• wood
• steel
• aluminum
• PVC.

Wooden window frames certainly look very attractive and suit period style houses, but they are more expensive. If they are well made, they shouldn't swell up and jam as much as they used to in the olden days. Although they require some maintenance periodically, if they break you can usually fix them.

However, if a steel, aluminum or PVC window frame breaks, you have to replace it entirely. Steel windows also have to be powder coated to stop them rusting and this adds to their expense. Some people prefer anodized aluminum windows as they can generally be easily removed and cleaned. They are also the least expensive option.

The use of PVC in windows and other building materials is slowly being outlawed in Europe because of the toxicity of the chlorides it contains, which leach out. It is being replaced by U-PVC in Europe.

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Glass comes in different thicknesses and qualities and patterns. There are certain minimum thicknesses depending on the size of the window. The glass can be transparent or opaque. And if you want to be really creative, you can buy or design your own leaded glass/ leadlight windows. Keep an eye out for old houses being demolished – as they are a good source for such 'gems'.

If you put a fixed awning over each window and you don't make each individual window too large, then you won't face the problem of rain coming in if you go out and leave all the windows open. This is very important, especially in hot climates as it means there will always be good ventilation and this will stop the heat build-up during the day. Fixed awnings are also a good idea if you want to stop the heat and sun coming in from a certain direction but you still want to have a window.

Blinds, curtains and pelmets

There are a wide range of blinds and curtains on the market today. You should choose according to the style of your house. For example, for a period style house, wooden blinds and floral pleated curtains would be appropriate. For a more Asian style house, you might want to consider transparent blinds that look a bit like rice paper.

You can also buy blinds, curtains and pelmets ready-made. To do this, you have to make sure the windows on your house plan will suit what is available on the market. Otherwise, it will cost you more to have them adjusted.

Blinds can be operated manually, electrically or by a remote control system. Some types of blinds that are available include:

• roller (the old fashioned material or plastic blinds – nowadays you can get them in more transparent fabrics if you wish – these are also called "Holland blinds" in Australia)
  
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You have to choose your curtain fabrics carefully. If you are living in a cold climate, you should opt for a heavier type of material to keep the cold out and make sure it is fully lined. Some curtains have an insulation layer. Or you can add old blankets in between the curtain and its lining as a cheaper alternative. Having the curtain lined also helps stop them fading.

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Security screens provide more protection than normal screens. In some areas you can leave the windows open when you are out and allow the air to flow through the house to stop the heat build up. But they can break into security screens.

Bars and grilles provide some security and they can also be very attractive if they are done well. They have to be spaced no more than 120mm apart (4.8 inches). However, burglars can still use small children to get inside or long-handled hooks to pull out things they want. Therefore, never leave your keys or other valuables easily accessible.

Make sure you have designed your house so there is a handy exit from each room in case of fire. For example, you may like to incorporate doors or some specially-hinged bars that can be opened. Keep the keys to them in the actual rooms and inform guests of their whereabouts.