Envelope windows

[HomeExtender]

Hi we are thinking about changing our windows and getting rid of the small envelope windows so we can have symmetrical tall windows. However, has anyone regretted this? I’m thinking about security and how you can leave a little window open upstairs at night or during the day. I know the tall windows can be opened/locked a couple of centimetres but that’s not really enough for cool air in warmer weather. I really like the look of tall windows though! Anyone had the same predicament?

Yes and you can get special fittings to stop the windows opening too far, we have them on ours and you have to close the window to unclip the fitting if you want to open it further. This is because otherwise the windows are basically like a little door that anyone can jump through

I wouldn't do it if it isn't going to be in keeping with other houses of the same or similar design on the street, if that applies. It just looks odd.

Thanks both. How far can you keep the windows locked open? There is a good mix of windows styles where we live so it won’t matter what we choose. Thanks again!

What is an envelope window? No prizes for guesses what Google images showed me a ton of!

We've got these at the back of the house. I agree they look better than the other type.
Ours open about an inch on the catch. Which is enough for all but the hottest days.

We've wrapped our windows and now have nothing but tall plain ones. (apart from bathrooms.
We lock them open a crack which is fine for us, but our house rarely gets too warm.
If we are in, we open them properly

^^ only the upstairs ones, we never have downstairs windows open unless we are in

We have these all over the house (large 5 bed). They look fab and make the windows look less cluttered and larger. Avoid trickle vents if you can as I think they are ugly and let noise in.

I like our trickle vents but they are the ones that snap open and shut not the irritating slide ones that our old windows had

I legitimately cane onto this thread assuming it would be about stationery and I would be able to help.

I have never heard of envelope windows before now. Every day's a school day!

I came on to say you don't need to rip them out, put the whole envelope in recycling.

Same MUM

Lol the little ones in the photo are envelope windows!

I’m just wondering if an inch is enough for us as we usually leave the envelope windows open at the front when we are in the garden. And my son gets very hot so an inch probably wouldn’t e enough during the summer. I guess we could buy a Dyson fan!

Now I'm confused, I can't think what other kind of windows there are, everywhere I've lived has had little windows like that

The top left three!

I’ve always had each set of windows with envelope windows above and bigger ones underneath. I miss them!

I loved having the choice of lots of fresh air or a little.

Where I live we do have windows like that but I never knew they were called envelope windows and around here they tend only to be used in toilets and bathrooms!

We call them top openers! We changed our windows to include them so that we could have them open without opening a full window.

So we have a 3 pane window, the middle pane has a top opener and the other two side windows also open giving us the option to have more air circulating.

Ours do not have any bars on or extra features and our house is modern so no tiny windows.

In your long windows you could have tilt and turn, probably two (the end ones) would be t&ts.

The only thing is that a sash does protrude. They do dummy sashes now so all three look flush but two are t&ts.

I'm having some installed, bigger than yours but same principle.

Great as tall windows look, I'm regretting the decision of whoever it was to replace the envelope windows in our house (complete with really pretty stained glass that other people have had copied when replacing original windows) with tall ones, mostly because they chose tilt and turn. Easier to clean, particularly upstairs but they make it really hard to dress the windows as they open inwards.

Thanks everyone who’d have thought choosing windows would be such a tough decision! Think we have narrowed it down between these two styles now.