Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 | Popularity: 14%
For example, a small window can bring in light and add character to a building just as easily as a large one. The key is in the placement and the finish. Be sure to really pay attention to where the window is placed so that the optimum amount of light and view will be gathered. When finishing the window, be sure to flare the interior to allow the most light to penetrate the room.
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One limitation of load bearing construction is how much open space you can have in a wall as compared to the overall square footage of that wall. That may be true, but it does not mean that the size and shape of the windows and doors you add to the structure can’t be inspiring and exciting.
For example, a small window can bring in light and add character to a building just as easily as a large one. The key is in the placement and the finish. Be sure to really pay attention to where the window is placed so that the optimum amount of light and view will be gathered. When finishing the window, be sure to flare the interior to allow the most light to penetrate the room.
The placement of windows in a load bearing structure has an advantage over post and beam or other framed examples. That advantage is the fact that the window buck is not placed until much of the wall is already built. This allows the builder to really see what the view will be like with a solid wall in place. Instead of imagining what the room will be like once filled in, one can see it in real time as the window is placed. That way, the exact location is easier to determine when considering light infiltration and view.
Have fun with your windows. Place them properly and let them become a main force in the character of your building. Don’t get stuck in the box, create a new box with as many sides as you want!
Popularity: 14%
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Andrew Morison is a licensed contractor specializing in straw bale and green construction. He has shown thousands of people how to build their own straw bale projects through his comprehensive series of instructional straw bale, concrete foundation, and plastering DVDs. You can check these out at http://www.LearnStrawBale.com.
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December 6th, 2007 at 8:28 am
I would like to incorporate as much glass in the south facing wall as possible! for this reason I have gone away from the load bearing system and am looking at post-beam. In your experience is there a suitable distance between windows? ie. one bale or should I be grouping windows and then putting in a larger section of bales ??
December 6th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Ryan,
It is easiest to simply frame the windows close together so that the space in between them can be covered with trim. If you put too big a space, you will have to plaster it. If you do go towards a bigger space, make sure it is big enough to get a solid section of plaster in there, one foot minimum is best. Good luck and have fun!
Andrew