Traditionally made from wood, and designed with economy and protection more than openness in mind, the windows and doors of Bermuda’s homes have evolved considerably in recent years.
Thanks to materials and technology such as PVC, aluminium and impact-rated glass, large, unshuttered windows can now frame ocean views, and floor-to-ceiling bifold doors allow for large openings which accommodate the popular indoor outdoor living style.
Architect Jonathan Castro, who owns E Se Studios, has been at the forefront of many of the more modern designs being incorporated into Bermuda’s homes. He explained what new styles and technology are available, what will survive both time and hurricanes, and why it’s more important to budget for windows and doors, than a kitchen.
“The reason buildings last as long as they do is because there is a lot of importance made to the envelope of the building,” he explained. “The envelope is not just your roof and walls, but also your windows and doors. Making sure that you have spent the most money on those items makes your house last that much longer.”
Energy performance is also a big factor to consider: “A lot of concerns are over solar heat gain in the summer time,” he continued. “Your windows, coupled with roof, are the bigger performance pieces you need to consider, especially with new builds.”
High quality windows and doors come at a cost however. “Those who have built before know the importance of getting your windows and doors right. With homeowners who are looking to rip out the old wooden doors and windows, put the money there first, even if you have to put the kitchen on hold for a year.”
WINDOW OPTIONS
Building homes that were protected from the wind, often meant foregoing a view and living in a darker space. That is no longer the case. Views, and an abundance of natural light, now take priority when designing a new building or renovation, and new technology such as impact-rated glass means that the ‘view frame’ can be as large as you want, or have the budget for. If the “sticker shock” puts you off however, Mr Castro pointed out that with hurricane grade glass, you can save money elsewhere.
“A lot of systems can be very expensive, but, it gets you everything you need. You’re going to find a better performance in the long run. Not only that, if you’ve done a hurricane window, you don’t need to get shutters.”
The type of glass isn’t the only decision you need to make. Most windows in Bermuda are made from wood, PVC or metal, such as aluminium, and there are pros and cons with each.
PVC requires the least maintenance but there are few colour options to choose from. Metal-based window systems often have slimmer sight lines and profiles, but require slightly more maintenance than PVC.
Requiring the most maintenance, but with the most flexibility as well as warmth and texture, is wood. If you opt for cedar windows and doors, he said they “will last hundreds of years.” Wood can also be painted, and repainted. Some woods, such as accoya, can also be left to patina. In the case of accoya, this means it will silver.
With metal windows, he said there are some “predefined options” for colour, but, once you’ve decided, that’s it: “Right now, everyone’s doing a lot of black, dark grey, bronze windows and doors,” he said, warning that if, in five or ten years’ time, the client doesn’t like it, it’s difficult to change.
It’s also important to consider how the colour will look over time. Black windows are very trendy right now, but, he warned, the colour will fade. If you are able to do all of your windows in black frames however, this will be less of a concern as the UV will break everything down evenly.
In terms of the lifespan of each material, much of this will come down to maintenance.
“Make sure everything is painted and sealed,” advised Mr Castro. “With aluminium, the biggest concern is making sure the finish is there, washing them down is important, just so the salt’s not sitting there, eating away.
“With wood, you have to make sure that the paints are good. If the seal is broken and water gets in there, it’s going to swell and damage over time.”
INDOOR OUTDOOR CONNECTION
A modern design that is replacing the traditional French doors in many new build and renovated homes is bifold doors. These fold back completely to create large openings, allowing for seamless indoor outdoor living.
Some “sliding systems” as Mr Castro calls them even have “a pocket” where the door goes into what appears to be a wall so you see no doors at all. “Those are great for larger spans,” he explained, where, for example a client wants to connect a terrace to the kitchen.
This works well where you have an opening of over eight feet but, in most cases, it also requires incorporating a steel beam above the door “to carry the length”.
THE FRONT DOOR
Traditionally, front doors are made of wood and can be solid or Dutch. For those who prefer a more modern aesthetic, however, the pivot door is a popular option:
“Instead of hinges, you’re dealing with a pivot or a rod in the top and bottom of the door to help move it,” he explained. “A pivot door gives you this nice effect, because the door seems to be floating. It doesn’t look like it touches the frame when it’s fully open.”
Whether you choose traditional wood or a modern pivot, Mr Castro advised having your front door sheltered and with a side light in the form of fixed glass: “The glass can be frosted, etched or opaque, so you can’t see into it, but it gives you this added pool of light at the front door. It’s very welcoming for people,” he said.
