How to Choose Good Bathroom Windows?
When purchasing windows for a house or apartment, we most often choose identical models for every room. We forget that a bathroom, being a moist environment, will have slightly different requirements for window joinery compared to, for example, a living room. What should you pay attention to when choosing bathroom windows? Which bathroom windows will work best in a room with a shower, a bath lounge, or a toilet?
Moisture-Resistant Bathroom Windows
Bathroom windows, more so than the windows in a living room or bedroom, are exposed to moisture. In the bathroom, the air humidity is elevated not only during and immediately after taking a bath or a shower. Tiny droplets of water vapor settle on all surfaces and dry over the course of several hours. Therefore, bathroom windows should be resistant to regular and prolonged contact with water. A better choice for a bathroom, as well as a laundry room, are plastic bathroom windows made of uPVC or aluminum models rather than wooden windows. Made of polyvinyl chloride, bathroom windows retain their appearance and do not deform even with regular contact with water or water vapor. Their window frames do not peel, as sometimes happens with lacquered wooden windows.
Ventilation in Bathroom Windows
Due to the high humidity in the room, bathroom windows should also allow for hassle-free and effective ventilation. It is a poor idea in a bathroom to choose non-opening, so-called fixed or "fix" windows. Even the best natural, mechanical, or recuperative ventilation will not be sufficient after a bath or shower, and ineffective ventilation in the bathroom is responsible for the development of mold. In such a situation, it is best to ventilate the room additionally using the bathroom window. Is it necessary to tilt or fully open its sash or sashes? Definitely not. OKNOPLAST offers bathroom windows (and more) with an effective perimeter ventilation system called effiAIR. It allows the bathroom windows to be unsealed around the entire perimeter by 6 mm. Thanks to special hardware with tilt and stay functions, it provides effective air circulation while simultaneously protecting the home from break-ins.
Ease of Cleaning Bathroom Windows
Bathroom windows, like kitchen windows but more so than those in the living room or bedroom, are prone to the formation of unsightly streaks from condensing water vapor. An important feature of bathroom windows should therefore be their ease of cleaning. In such cases, once again, the best choice is uPVC (plastic) bathroom windows (https://oknoplast.us/upvc-windows/) Their window frames, glazing beads, and panes can be cleaned with gentle detergents and soft sponges or cloths. Plastic window profiles are also more resistant to micro-scratches than, for example, lacquered wood. When choosing easy-to-clean bathroom windows, it is also worth considering that their sashes should be operable. This will allow you to wash the bathroom windows from both sides of the room without having to go outside or use a ladder.
Bathroom Windows That Ensure Privacy
The bathroom is a room in which ensuring privacy is extremely important. Therefore, when choosing bathroom windows, pay attention to the options available in this regard. You can, of course, opt for classic bathroom windows with transparent glass and use appropriate internal or external window coverings, such as blinds or shutters. A better idea, however, seems to be choosing bathroom windows with ornamental glass. They are more durable than the popular, low-cost window glass films. Additionally, they look decidedly more aesthetic because they are made entirely of semi-transparent glass (without the use of foil). Such a bathroom window lets in sunlight but distorts the image, giving users a sense of privacy.
Bathroom Windows in the Right Size
When choosing bathroom windows, you should also consider their size. What dimensions should a bathroom window have? If you are planning a bathroom with a window, the architect will undoubtedly apply the popular 1:12 ratio (window area to the floor area of the room) for interiors where less time is spent at home/apartment. It is worth knowing that regulations do not forbid omitting windows in bathrooms, since they are rooms used for very short periods. Nevertheless, it is recommended to let such interiors be illuminated by sunlight and to ventilate them regularly. This is made possible by well-chosen bathroom windows.
