Have you ever considered installing huge windows in your home? If so, this may lead to the question “how safe are floor to ceiling windows?”
Floor to ceiling windows are often made using toughened glass, and in some places, this may be a legal requirement. This means that they are usually very safe, even if you have children in the house. They will stand up to someone leaning on them and even to being struck.
In this article, we’ll explore the dangers that are posed by floor to ceiling windows, and how safe floor to ceiling windows are, so you can decide whether to install these in your home or not.
What Dangers Are Created By Floor To Ceiling Windows?
Having big windows is a wonderful way to let lots of light and energy into your home, and they can make such a difference to a dark room – but they do have some safety problems too. A lot of people are concerned about the safety of floor to ceiling windows, and some of these concerns include:
- Small children running or falling into them
- Somebody leaning on them
- Birds hitting them
- People looking in and invading your privacy
- People throwing rocks at the glass
- Somebody breaking in
However, most of these concerns can be dismissed, because floor to ceiling windows tend to be made of very strong glass that will hold up to most kinds of impacts. There are some dangers associated with a window being deliberately broken (such as by a thief), but on the whole, floor to ceiling windows are pretty safe.
How Safe Are Floor To Ceiling Windows?
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to measure exactly how safe floor to ceiling windows are because this depends on a number of factors. Some windows can withstand much more impact damage and are therefore much safer than others. Some windows will break far more easily.
You should discuss with the contractor how many pounds per square inch (psi) would be needed for the glass to shatter, and use this to decide whether the windows are suitable for your intended purpose. The stronger the windows are, the more expensive they will be, but it is critical to make sure that your floor to ceiling windows are not a hazard.
What Makes Floor To Ceiling Windows Safer?
One of the key aspects of floor to ceiling windows is how thick the glass is. The thicker the glass, the safer the windows are likely to be, so it’s critical to bear this thickness in mind and make sure the firm you are contracting to build the windows has accounted for this.
Thicker frames will be required for thicker glass, but usually, the building codes will dictate that floor to ceiling windows must be at least a certain thickness. This thickness is often calculated so that the windows are safe for somebody to lean against – and there should be no risk of them breaking if this occurs.
Often, firms will use toughened glass to create floor to ceiling windows, but don’t be fooled by the term “safety glass.” Safety glass does not refer to how strong or resilient the window is. It just tells you how the glass will behave if it gets broken. Safety glass shatters into pieces that are not sharp, minimizing the risk of injury when it breaks.
Safety glass may not be sufficiently thick for floor to ceiling windows. So make sure you have explored this and the other options before you get windows installed. Although safety glass windows will be safer if somebody does fall through them, you don’t want the windows to break in the first place.
Can Floor To Ceiling Windows Be Broken?
All glass can be broken if it suffers too much impact damage, so yes, floor to ceiling windows certainly can be broken. How much force it takes to break them will depend on how thick they are and what sort of frames have been used, but vandalism and burglaries are considered a risk when it comes to these windows.
Although most floor to ceiling windows are safe to lean on, you should discuss the safety aspect of someone falling against them. This is particularly important if you have children who are likely to play near the glass, especially if it has been installed on an upper floor.
If this is the case, you might want to install a secondary safety measure, such as decorative inner railing that will prevent somebody from falling directly into the glass. This can be used as a pretty feature of the window, rather than just a safety feature, and it will minimize the risk.
FAQs
Q: Are floor to ceiling windows worth it?
A: Floor to ceiling windows can be a wonderful way to transform a room and make it much more beautiful. They let in enormous amounts of light and open up otherwise cramped, uncomfortable spaces. They also provide amazing panoramic views. More and more people are looking to install these windows in their homes.
Q: Are high rise windows safe?
A: Big windows in multi-story buildings can be unsettling, but they are generally very safe. The glass is usually buried in a wide layer of concrete, giving it significantly more strength and resistance to breaking. Most high rise windows are safe even if somebody falls against them.
Q: How much does it cost to replace a floor to ceiling window?
A: A floor to ceiling window will usually cost between $700 and $1600 to replace, although this estimate depends heavily on the window size, the thickness of the glass, the quality of the materials, the labor costs in your area, and other factors too.
Conclusion
Floor to ceiling windows are generally considered safe, and a lot of people install these as a way of maximizing the light and openness of their homes. They can transform a space, and as long as the glass is sufficiently thick and strengthened, they should not pose any major risks.