What is the Cost of Floor to Ceiling Windows?

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• Floor to ceiling windows can modernize an outdated interior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.