Big plate glass windows that let you look out over magnificent landscapes are common wherever there is a lovely view nearby. But those large panes of glass also let a lot of sunlight into your home, and they can make the room very hot unless you add a few protective features. It is possible to be comfortable when you have those huge plate glass or bay windows — even in hot weather — as long as you are careful about what you get.

Dual-Pane vs. Film

If you're getting new windows, dual-pane glass should be a no-brainer. This two-paned marvel cuts down on thermal transfer so much that you'll really feel a difference when the new windows have been installed. If for some reason you prefer single-pane glass, then you need a heat-reducing film added to the glass as soon as possible. Plain single panes of glass offer no protection from thermal transfer on a hot day, and they can make your house very toasty. Even if you have other accessories like blackout curtains on the window, you're not going to have those closed if you want to see that evening's sunset, for example.

Small Ventilation Windows

When you have the new windows installed, you may want to reconsider the design a bit. Large, clear panes offer a great view, but you're not going to be doing much looking right at the bottom of the pane. Whether the spaces for the windows are floor-to-ceiling or just ovesized versions of regular windows, you're going to look outside through only one area at a time.

Look into getting smaller panes that open. In other words, have most of the window be one big pane, and then have a smaller window toward the bottom that you can open. Get two or three of these to create, if not a crossbreeze, an entrance-exit path for warm air. Cool air from outside can enter through one window, and hot air will get pushed out through the other window.

You've likely seen a similar version of this on older apartment buildings where a tall but narrow window had one pane at the bottom that would open, and then a longer, non-opening pane on top. Those may have looked old, but you can get nice, new ones in different styles, of course.

The window service company that's installing the panes will have galleries and catalogs for you to browse. What you want are windows that will block heat and allow air flow without disrupting your view.