On 29/04/2021 15:55, Andrew wrote:
On 28/04/2021 12:09, nightjar wrote:
On 28/04/2021 10:51, Steve Walker wrote:
On 28/04/2021 10:39, nightjar wrote:
On 24/04/2021 12:48, GB wrote:
I was recently helping my son in law get his flat ready to sell,
and I noticed that the Critall metal windows have unusual hinges,
like in the photo.Â* These are similar to parliament hinges.
https://www.deltaglazing.co.uk/wp-co...ow-repairs.jpg
The effect is that, with the window open there's a gap at the hinge
side that's wide enough to get your arm through for cleaning the
outside of the window.
That's such a simple idea, and so easy to implement that I'm
surprised it's not more commonplace.
Replacement windows I have had fitted open inwards, making the
outside even easier to clean.
But meaning that you have to remove any pot plants or ornaments.
Assuming you clutter the window sill up with such things.
You can also get windows that pivot about a horizontal point halfway
up. That brings the outside in, without having to worry about plant pots.
I had a conversation with an elderly French woman some years ago and
we talked about this. She liked the idea of opening outwards, but
worried about cleaning. When I told her that we have a window cleaner
who comes round once a month to do it, she thought it a wonderful idea!
Its what I do.
But I suspect you don't live in a tower block.
I would expect windows in tower blocks to have very limited opening, for
reasons of safety. Then again, I wouldn't have expected them to have
window frames that could melt in a fire.
Don't French windows open inwards because they tend to (historically)
have external shutters which are useful to keep out the heat of the sun
during the middle of the day.
It could also be because the hinges are then on the inside and burglars
cannot remove the door by driving out the hinge pins. I have outward
opening French doors and they need dog bolts to protect against that.
Inward opening windows make it difficult to fit curatin and blinds.
But not impossible, assuming you want them. Mine are at the back of the
house and I don't bother with either.
Local library has interesting timber windows that swivel horizontally
about their middle but still use some sort of reflex hinge so they can
be turned almost inside out for easy cleaning. The hinges are marked
'made in Norway' and must have been expensive, despite being single
glazed (refurb in 1986). Pity it is a single story building :-)
--
Colin Bignell