Here's the deal: I have a piece of land on a southern New England island. Technically it's Zone 5 but probably more like Zone 4 due to ocean tempering. The area is in the 120 MPH wind zone so either shutters, impact resistant windows, or partial enclosure design is required. I have a fantastic ocean view from the SE all the way round to the due north - way to good to pass up on. Being an island with diesel generated power our electric rates are well over $0.50/kWh and oil and gas (only propane, no natural) are equally high. Wind is constant in the winter and contributes to heat loss and deterioration of materials and systems. Storms come from the NE. I want to build a house and for the next decade or so will use it during summers and probably 10 or 12 weekends a year (eventually we'll live there 10 months per year or so). I want a house that I can let sit over the winter and not have to heat at all to keep it above freezing (with an auto back up of course) When going there for the week end I can have a control that will allow us to dial up the heat in advance of our arrival. The big question is this: Does anyone have a solution for reducing the heat loss through the glass that will be on the north and east walls to capture the view? I want to do some kind of shutters that will provide a good thermal resistance but be easy to remove or open for a weekend visit. Inside shutters are easier to handle, not subject to weather but may produce condensation on the window and will be in the way if not completely removed and stored (a pain). Exterior shutters won't cause condensation but may be hard to handle in a 30 Knot breeze and will be subject to weather. They may also be harder to air seal around and with cold air leaking behind them less effective. The windows that will get shutters will probably be on a wrap around porch so i've considered exterior panels hinged at the top of the window and that fold or hinge up against the porch ceiling. This provides storage and makes them easier to open/close and they can serve as hurricane shutters but how can they seal when closed and what material can they be made of? I was thinking of fiberglass over foam panel (ala a surfboard) with wood edges to receive hardware. The fixed windows will either be fiberglass or a curtainwall system. The glass areas have not been designed yet but will NOT be a wall to wall, floor to ceiling layout. They wlll be more like traditional windows although on the larger side and close together. Any suggestions for panels/shutters? Pros/cons of various types?

Regarding the window installation, will the windows be installed flush with the exterior or inset somewhat into the cavity of the rough opening?  If the windows have nailing flanges, then that usually implies that the windows will be set flush with the exterior.  I ask this because the location of the window in the opening can influence the type and fitting of the insulated shutter.

Birdman - you say that the windows will not be floor to ceiling but how big? If you are looking for a "viewing band" all around consider stacking windows with regular residential entry doors but hung on their side. The doors could be opened up against the porch ceiling as you described and come sealed and somewhat burglar proof.

This is very early in the planning stages so window sizes, shapes etc. have not been designed yet. Aestheticly, my preference would be for a fairly traditional type of look and window vertical with a wide casing. Many windos now project further off the wall than a traditional window so the frame projects beyond the face of a 1" or even 5/4 casing. That sort of makes getting a good seal between the panel and the frame kinda tricky. I thought about the door idea since there are fiberglass doors out there with foam cores. This view will demand a taller window than 3' though - I was thinking of windows about 3' x 6' or so. Has anyone had experience with interior panels? If I had fiberglass windows and corian sills (or something waterproof perhaps the condensation isn't a big deal?

Posted By Birdman on 31 Jan 2012 08:54 PM
This is very early in the planning stages so window sizes, shapes etc. have not been designed yet. Aestheticly, my preference would be for a fairly traditional type of look and window vertical with a wide casing. Many windos now project further off the wall than a traditional window so the frame projects beyond the face of a 1" or even 5/4 casing. That sort of makes getting a good seal between the panel and the frame kinda tricky. I thought about the door idea since there are fiberglass doors out there with foam cores. This view will demand a taller window than 3' though - I was thinking of windows about 3' x 6' or so. Has anyone had experience with interior panels? If I had fiberglass windows and corian sills (or something waterproof perhaps the condensation isn't a big deal?

If they are 3' off the floor, double doors, one folds up one folds down ;-)

I think you could manufacture panels that are air tight, either weatherstrip or magnets (like a fridge door) but to store them? Possibly like a hottub cover with a lifter? Garage doors but the tracks would be sinful unless you built them in somehow.