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What is the Cost of Floor to Ceiling Windows?

Floor to ceiling windows have become one of the most popular design trends in recent times for discerning homeowners. Floor to ceiling window costs vary from $700 upward depending on a number of factors as explained in this article.

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Table of costs to floor to ceiling windows

Window Element Cost
Overall average window cost including glass and frame per square foot $700-$1,600
Factory produced stained glass inserts $150-$5,000 per piece
Low-E coating Add 10%-15%
Tinted glass Add $5-$7 per square foot

Suitable for lots of different types of houses, they certainly make a big impact on the right property and add an uplift in value, a designer cachet and a huge improvement to lifestyle.

But, make no mistake about it, floor to ceiling windows are expensive and are generally considered a luxury installation. Here are some average costs to act as a guide on price.

What are the factors which affect the cost of floor to ceiling windows?

Average prices can be very generic so here is a look at the cost of floor to ceiling windows in more detail. These are some of the things that impact on the final bill and will be individual to each installation.

Table of costs to floor to ceiling windows

Window Element Cost
Overall average window cost including glass and frame per square foot $700-$1,600
Factory produced stained glass inserts $150-$5,000 per piece
Low-E coating Add 10%-15%
Tinted glass Add $5-$7 per square foot

Suitable for lots of different types of houses, they certainly make a big impact on the right property and add an uplift in value, a designer cachet and a huge improvement to lifestyle.

But, make no mistake about it, floor to ceiling windows are expensive and are generally considered a luxury installation. Here are some average costs to act as a guide on price.

What are the factors which affect the cost of floor to ceiling windows?

Average prices can be very generic so here is a look at the cost of floor to ceiling windows in more detail. These are some of the things that impact on the final bill and will be individual to each installation.

  • The size of the window – glass windows are usually measured by the square foot
  • The choice of material for the frame
  • The type of glass - expect to pay more for insulated and energy-efficient glazing or self-cleaning glass
  • The thickness of the glass
  • Design – curved windows and cathedral style floor to ceiling windows are more time-consuming to both make and install. Compare the detail of a cathedral style window to the simplicity of one large rectangular pane of glass
  • Installation, if you require windows to be made to measure then this will impact on the bill in comparison to standard size windows which can be bought as a pre-made unit direct from the depot
  • Features so this includes sections of the unit that open or sliders – whole floor to ceiling windows that also move - leaded light inserts and even colored or stained glass which is an increasingly popular trend
  • Accessories such as blinds to create privacy or to shield the interior from the sun
  • Your chosen contractor and your location, expect an uplift in costs for major cities

Check out the video below to see different design ideas for floor to ceiling windows:

 

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Types of glass

There are literally hundreds of different glass types or standards, so it is important to work out the key features you need from the glass before you start.

Most people will opt for heat efficient and low emissivity glass purely because of the impact that so much regular glass can have on a room. Thermal regulation is also important otherwise the room may become too cold in the winter.

Cleaning is another big factor; without using professional cleaners, it can be difficult to get that glass perfectly clear and free of smears especially if there are children and pets in the household. Self-cleaning glass is a good option if the area is just too large for you to reasonably clean it yourself.

Shatterproof glass might be essential if you have active toddlers or young children, but this usually attracts top dollar prices.

What are the advantages of installing floor to ceiling windows?

There are lots of different reasons why homeowners opt for this as a feature, here are some of the most common:-

  • Capture a great view with a real sense of infinity
  • Connect more with the outdoors, there is less division between you and nature so living is seamless
  • Rooms appear more spacious with floor to ceiling windows even in compact properties
  • Floor to ceiling windows can modernize an outdated interior
  • Floor to ceiling windows maximize natural light and will reduce your reliance on other lighting sources saving costs on your energy bills
  • Add the wow factor to an area where you eat or to a bedroom, floor to ceiling windows can be a unique feature that mark your house or apartment out from others in the same block

Different floor to ceiling window designs

  • Floor to ceiling windows as a wall – Known as a window wall, if you have the luxury of a fabulous view then inserting floor to ceiling windows as an entire wall, is a trending design feature. Your view could be rural, it could be over water or it could be a cityscape. This style is not confined to the ground floor but is popular for the first floor to maximize the vista. But your view could just be over your lovely garden, you don’t have to live in a dramatic or waterside location to benefit from a window wall
  • Cathedral style – ideal for householders who don’t want a square, geometric look which works well for contemporary properties but is not so sympathetic for older, period homes. Cathedral style floor to ceiling windows work really well in rooms with vaulted ceilings as they copy the style of the arches
  • Geometric pairings – sometimes, the structural integrity of the wall is such that it cannot support a simple window wall without costly alterations. An alternative is a bank of several windows, perhaps multiple accent windows, flanking a large picture window. This can create the same or a better effect than a window wall and won’t require expensive construction work. This is also a budget friendly option in more general terms as you can select rows of factory-made windows rather than having to meet the cost of a bespoke installation

What are the drawbacks of floor to ceiling windows?

One of the biggest downsides is the loss of privacy but depending on the location of your property, this may not matter overly.

The window needs to be able to support the weight of the wall so it could require costly construction work, and this is on top of already high costs for glass.

An increase in temperature can be a big problem in certain homes and make the room too hot to use unless you use specialist glass to regulate solar invasion or add blinds. Energy-efficient glass is an imperative otherwise your energy bills will soar, and the room will be either too hot or too cold depending on the season.

A lot of direct sunlight can bleach and fade soft furnishings and textiles.

Heat loss is a big impact in the colder months. Most homes lose an average of 20%-30% of their heat through standard-sized windows so expect heat loss to increase given the size of these windows.

Security is a worry for some householders with ground floor full height windows. Reinforced glass is an option to deter intruders, but this will significantly put up the price.

Floor to ceiling windows can prove hazardous for small children and pets.

Don’t underestimate the cost, floor to ceiling windows are a luxury feature and remain proportionally more expensive than just replacing your current windows with new frames and glazing.

 Frequently Asked Questions

What is reduced visibility glass?

This is sometimes also called obscure glass and does sound a bit counter-intuitive especially if you have just spent a lot of bucks converting one wall into a window. Reduced visibility glass is designed to afford the inhabitants some privacy and is usually graded in levels depending on how much obscurity is offered.

What is low-E?

Low-E stands for low emissivity coating, and this is a metallic oxide covering which is added to a window to protect it from the heat of the sun during the warmer months and to act as a block to cold air in the winter. Low-E glass costs more than ordinary glass and is essential for floor to ceiling windows because of the impact that large windows can have on the room temperature.

How does tinted glass differ from Low-E?

Tinted glass is different to Low-E. Tinted glass comes with a heat reflective film that combats the sun’s rays. Tinting also reduces glass transparency so some tinting can work well for floor to ceiling window installations where privacy is also an issue. There are tints available which allow residents to look outside but prevents people from looking in.

Are there any grants available for floor to ceiling windows?

Check this out with your window contractor but depending on the type of glass you use, some states offer a tax refund for energy-efficient installations and there are also schemes available at federal level.

How can you reduce costs on floor to ceiling windows?

Even with the help of state or federal grants plus economies on the choice of frame and glass, the overall cost might still be beyond your price point. A good construction company should be able to suggest alternatives that give you the look that you want without the hefty price tag. Think about sliding doors as an alternative or design a bank of glass with multiple pre-manufactured fixed windows which are much cheaper but can create the same effect.