They say there are three things that really matter in property – location, location and location. People have many ideals when it comes to their ‘perfect’ home, but regardless of size, style and modern conveniences, their number one priority will almost always be where that home is, and the kind of surroundings and lifestyle they can enjoy by living there.
This is the reason properties overlooking the ocean command the highest prices; some people will spend their whole lives working, investing and saving in order to live in a location with jaw-dropping views and wide open spaces.
And that’s why fenestration, and specifically window sightlines, matter in great architecture – because it’s not just about having the beautiful property, or about living in the perfect location, it’s about the point where these two elements intersect, where a home (and its inhabitants) can connect to the wider world. Let’s take a closer look at the impact of sightlines on architecture, interiors and how they interact.
Firstly, what are ‘sightlines’?
In fenestration design, the word sightlines refers to the visible edges or profiles of window and door frames as viewed from both the interior and exterior of a building.
It describes the width and alignment of the frames and the visual impact they have within the overall design, as well as how they influence a building’s connection to the landscape beyond, specifically by framing the view.
In heritage or luxury homes, sightlines are particularly important because they influence the proportions, symmetry, and aesthetics of a space. Sightlines can be narrow and unobtrusive or intentionally bold – in this blog, we’ll be exploring why narrower sightlines are desirable for architects and homeowners.
What’s special about bronze window sightlines?
By manufacturing our windows and doors in solid bronze, Renaissance is able to offer the narrowest possible sightlines for any true divided lite fenestration system available on the market today.
This is possible because of the inherent qualities of bronze – it’s an extremely hard metal, harder even than wrought iron, but is also extremely ductile. This means that it’s possible to extrude very fine and slender forms, with beautiful architectural profiles, without compromising on the structural integrity of the frames.
It also means we’re able to incorporate a thermal break into our extrusions without adding additional bulk, for maximum efficiency and an exceptionally slim, barely-there profile. Our windows have a best-in-class sub 1-inch muntin to muntin depth and a sub 3-inch mullion, making the sightlines narrower than even simulated divided lite windows made from other materials.
What are the benefits of narrow sightlines?
Windows with narrow sightlines are desirable for a variety of different architectural and design reasons, some of them purely aesthetic, and others innately practical too. Let’s explore some of the reasons architects and designers might specify windows and doors with very narrow sightlines.
1. Preserving architectural integrity
On architectural restoration projects – but also when it comes to recreating the style and character of classical architecture in new buildings – remaining faithful to the original proportions and aesthetics of the past is critical.
Heritage windows by their very definition are slender and delicate; they were manufactured by hand and had to be lifted into place manually so the onus was on the craftsman to keep weight and physical bulk to an absolute minimum.
In The Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods, fenestration became a key architectural feature – homes with grand frontages and rows of symmetrical windows were indicative of wealth and status, and this look was copied extensively by those who aspired to these levels of wealth.
Today, this classic look featuring very large, multi-paned windows with very delicate, narrow frames is still very much desirable on both original and reproduction architecture, and is intrinsic to the success of classical design. Matching sightlines across windows and doors creates a cohesive look that echoes the craftsmanship of the past, ensuring new harmonizes effortlessly with old for a refined and authentic look.
2. Framing views
As previously mentioned, bronze windows are often specified into uber-luxury homes in amazing locations – Renaissance windows have travelled to the coastlines of California and Sydney as well as the rolling countryside of Texas and Colorado.
When a client has worked their whole life in order to purchase their dream home in a location like this, you can bet it’s as much for the environment outside the property as the property itself – and that means VIEWS!
From panoramic views of endlessly rolling hills and forests to vistas over the ocean – or even just beautifully framed glimpses of the garden – windows with narrow sightlines minimize visual obstructions while still delivering the character of a divided lite window for applications where oversized plate glass simply feels too soulless and modern.
Sightlines are also vital for framing views into or through a property, perhaps from the sidelights of a glazed entrance door through a window that overlooks the garden. Architects can use these techniques to create intrigue and playfulness, or even create the illusion of more space. Windows with narrow sightlines can make spaces feel expansive and connected to their surroundings without compromising on performance.
3. Connecting indoors and out
While the look and feel of classic windows has changed remarkably little over time, what has changed is the way people live, and particularly the amount of value we place on outdoor space. As our working lives have become increasingly indoor-focused, having the ability to spend leisure time outside all year round has become more important.
This has given rise to architecture that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
As well as oversized windows and doors that offer expansive views of scenery and sky, we’re seeing fenestration that is exceptionally thin and delicate, creating a diaphanous barrier to the outside world – particularly sliding and folding doors that can be pushed out of the way when you want to open the space up.
Narrow sightlines are essential in these applications where a window or door has to have a segmented frame in order to facilitate mechanical operation, but you still want to create that unbroken connection to the outdoors with a window that doesn’t obstruct or break up the view.
4. Traditional look meets modern performance
We’ve already discussed the beauty and elegance of heritage windows with their impossibly slender frames – but in reality, these windows were often poorly insulated, cold and rattly.
Even today, we see reproductions of traditional factory-style windows manufacturing using steel but without a thermal break, which means customers in the 21st century are still dealing with unnecessarily high energy costs, condensation and other problems because they’ve been told they have to compromise on performance in order to achieve a certain look.
Specifying bronze windows means you can still achieve that incredibly elegant look with narrow sightlines, as well as the most advanced thermal efficiency and waterproofing. Our windows are thermally broken and fitted with premium double glazing as well as a range of coatings to further enhance thermal performance on a case-by-case basis. The result is a window that is incredibly thin, strong and energy-efficient, so you can easily achieve the look of a heritage window, but with the most up-to-date energy ratings. For heritage homes, this allows designers to replicate traditional sightlines while incorporating modern performance, ensuring compliance with building regulations without sacrificing style.
Want to know more about our best-in-class sightlines?
Architects tell us that the narrow sightlines and heritage properties of our bronze windows make them an easy decision for clients looking to invest in the beauty and longevity of their homes. If you’d like to know more about our fenestration profiles, including specifics around the width of our sightlines or our waterproofing system, simply get in touch.