Replies

1. 
   calvin | Sep 29, 2010 08:46pm | #1

   I don't want a stile in the middle, as there is a view of sorts.

   Do french style casement windows not have a frame around the glass?  Or, do you mean you don't want some beefy frame parts in the way?

   We have a 4x6 opening from our BR down over the LR........................in 20 yrs I've thought of a whole slew of ideas...........to day, did none of them.

   Good way to keep your daughter honest through the high school yrs...................

   and now, just a habit.

1. 
   DanH | Sep 29, 2010 08:54pm | #2

   He means he doesn't want a center jamb.

2. 
   calvin | Sep 29, 2010 10:33pm | #3

   probably because the SO didn't have a problem with it.

   Nope.

   The problem is, you evidently are not a carpenter.

   Carpenter's never finish their own house.  It's some kind of thing they evidently don't have a life and death option for.

   Here's one of the ideas I didn't do.

   3 or 4 panels of (insert your finish here).  Center pivoting.   Turn them full open, partially open or just a crack-ventilation.

   Closed-noise down and NO interuptions of the view.  Could use the clear vinyl "sweep" found on some swinging shower doors for better seal.

   or

   Sliding glass track.   Glass gets a top and bottom small metal channel, with rollers.  Triple track or double.  Found in store displays.  No visible interuption.

1. 
   simplemind | Sep 30, 2010 07:44am | #4

   Sounds good, but could you elaborate on "center pivoting" and  3 or 4 panels? Not a carpenter, so need explanation, please.

1. 
   DanH | Sep 30, 2010 08:14am | #7

   By "center pivot" I assume he

   By "center pivot" I assume he means like a butterfly valve in a carburetor.

   Of course another option would be some sort of accordian setup.  (And maybe you should consider an accordian "pass thru" window curtain.  Would block light, which might be a good thing at times, and still open fully.)

2. 
   calvin | Sep 30, 2010 07:39pm | #11

   I'll try to clarify.........

   Center pivot..................

   A pivot top and bottom located in the center of:  Bottom and top rail (channel ) for glass or in my case-a solid panel (for sound).  This allows the "panel" to swing back and forth from the center (so it pivots, like a big vertical louvre).

   In my case, the opening is big enough left to right that two panels pivoting would swing into the room as well as out. Pivoted in the center, I thought that I would need at least 4 panels so the intrusion into the room wouldn't be too much.  Say I've got 6 ft wide.  4 panels would be 18" wide, center pivot would protrude into the room when fully 90 degrees open, about 6 inches (from the face of the trim around the opening.

   Clear as mud?

   I wanted to be able to close the room off to sound from below-wished not to lose the light.............tho we're not in the BR too much longer than sleep............but with our heating and cooling pretty much convection from down below, moving around the house with strategic openings, I then gave more serious thought to sliding glass.   No light loss, no view lost, and the ability to almost completely open the area for the heat/cool to meander in and out the way it does now. 

   But procrastination is the mother of invention..................

3. 
   parkitect | Sep 30, 2010 08:03am | #5

   Check this out:

   http://www.marvin.com/?page=french_casemaster.exterior

1. 
   DanH | Sep 30, 2010 08:10am | #6

   Of course, those are crank windows, and a bit heavier than what the OP probably wants.  But the right basic design.

4. 
   DanH | Sep 30, 2010 08:18am | #8

   I'm guessing that if you have your heart set on interior (lightweight) French style windows you'll have to get a cabinet shop to build them for you.

1. 
   simplemind | Sep 30, 2010 08:38am | #9

   Well, you are reading me correctly.  The Marvin is pretty heavy duty,for what I imagined the look I wanted to achieve. 

   Initially, I had thought of using 2, 2-0 pocket doors, but, I think they will look, well, like pocket doors and they have a large stile on each side, so  I gave up on that idea.  I suppose I could find a shop to build two thin stiled windows and just buy the Johnson pocket hardware.  I wanted to get away from on-site fitting problems as much as possible, that's why I was looking for a pre-hung alternative.

   I'm still curious about the pivoting idea that has a clear view.

1. 
   DanH | Sep 30, 2010 05:50pm | #10

   Any competent cabinet shop could built the windows and make them "pre-hung" in appropriate jambs.  It still takes a competent installer, of course, to not get the thing racked so it won't open/close.

5. 
   calvin | Sep 30, 2010 07:47pm | #12

   I've got one more for you.

   And I"ve seen this in a house I worked in.  They have two "balconies", one off each upper BR overlooking the huge LR below.  Sort of a Romeo and Juliet thing.  There is no deck out of it-just some wrought iron rail so you don't sleep walk right out the room.............

   They have two french (opening isn't more than 3' wide) full glass doors that open into the BR.

   You could do the same with what you got-but maybe open out.  Big shutters or glass if you wish.  If you want to keep the noise at bay, close them.  If you want the view-open them.   Everything doesn't have to be accomplished without getting up.

   Best of luck.

   You want it to look decent from down below-and I guess pretty decent from the BR.  What's she like?

1. 
   simplemind | Oct 01, 2010 09:21am | #13

   Hadn't even considered using a railing mounted essentially in the door frame, but it has some potential.  My wife, who is afraid of heights may object though.  Singing to her from below may ease the blow!