“I’ll take that with a huge view please”, says the client to his favorite designer. “And it can’t just be a lot of smoke and mirrors.” For many years, people have always been fascinated with just how much of a view they can cram into a wall space, and what they’ll end up looking at.
End to end windows and cathedral ceilings that feed the house with an over abundance of sunlight, and then top it off with at least part of the second floor overlooking that with sunshine, and you have the recipe for what some people refer to as a house made in heaven.
It has been clearly documented that the more natural light we absorb throughout the day, the happier we are, in many ways. However, it’s the beginning of a psychological state that starts from which side of the bed you wake up on.
Homeowners like to say, “I just want a window covering that entire wall.” However, most designers know and will try to explain it’s not always quite that simple. You first have to account for lintels or beams if the opening is in a loading bearing wall. And even if you are putting the major part of the windows in the non-loading bearing wall/s, where trusses will carry the loads, then there are other considerations to think about such as the panel sizes. As much as some people would like to wish it, making an entire one or two story wall completely out of glass without dividing them into panels or sections simply isn’t done. So, then the next step is to figure out what are the largest possible sections that can be made that will withstand wind-shear and deflection factors.
Then consider the cost factor before going any further, because that is where a lot of people will throw on the brakes. Paneling an entire two story wall with windows can add more than $30,000 to a 2200 square foot home.
And there are other considerations such as heat absorbed in the house. Most manufacturers will suggest you add some sort of UV window film on this type application.
You’ll also need ceiling fans and venting of all moisture trapped in the highest points, if you really want to get the most out of the HVAC system.
As far as the view, that will be entirely up to the person having the house built, as you get what you pay for.
