LET THE LIGHT IN

Windows and doors are often unsung heroes in home design, providing privacy, security and thermal comfort

- WORDS CARROL BAKER

To source the right windows and doors for your house, it's wise to adopt a holistic approach. Look for products that will meet your lifestyle needs, as well as those that will work aesthetically with the rest of your home. Choose windows and doors that optimise energy efficiency, offer durability and are low maintenance.

A door can add a beautiful bespoke design feature to a dwelling; it can offer a commanding presence and define a look. A stunning window can transform an uninspiring space into something quite extraordinary. It can invite in warm, welcoming sunlight or provide a beautiful frame around a picturesque view.

Glass as art

Unique-shaped windows make a confident design statement. So if you are looking for something different, go beyond the rectangular. Windows can be arched, triangular, bay, bow, pentagonal, octagonal, corner windows and more. Curious window shapes are beautiful, distinctive and unique.

Adding a fixed window to your home can be an architectural feature. It's a way to offer uninterrupted views, and it can welcome in an abundance of warm natural light. Architect Taras Wolf from Wolf Architects says fixed windows also allow for creative design opportunities. “They can also work well where you can frame something like a tree or another part of the building,” he says.

Fixed windows can also offer energy efficiency; no drafts can flow through and with fewer moving parts, there's less maintenance. “A fixed window brings light and views; it's like a living artwork with changing weather, seasons and times of day,” explains Taras. “In the future we may see entire walls in LED simulating large windows, and we will be able to manipulate our senses through those wallpaper screens.”

Shut the front door