New windows: will I regret not having some small openings?

[user1471530109]

I had a quote for some new windows. It's an ex authority semi so I'm just replacing some 40+ drafty aluminium framed ones for pvcu (agate grey I think...sandy coloured bricks and rural). I've plenty of old posts on this...it's been a decision over a few years grin.
But the chap doing the measuring up for the quote said it's not fashionable to have the top small openings and he advised to go just for large panels. Do you all agree? I just can't shake the idea that those small openings are safer from a security point of view if I want to leave them open at night etc.

Windows won't be going in until the new year. I've never bought new windows in my 20 years of house owning so if anyone has any tips or must haves, please do pass them on thanks

Please dont buy grey ones they're thankfully well on their way out of fashion and are well and truly chavvy now.

We have windows that open a few inches at the top (hinge at the bottom) but if you twist the handle a different way they open fully with the hinge ok the side. They also all have trickle vents on too

I have both upstairs and only small top downstairs. Top openings annoy me as I can't reach them downstairs anyway! Upstairs we leave the large ones open - me 24/7 in the back and night time only in the front for my DC

We replaced all our windows a couple of years ago. We didn't have any top openers and put them in some windows and not others. We went with a local company who make their own windows. They had a table of window sizes with prices next to them so no deals, no sign today just a good local reputation for quality windows at a good price.

For every opening whether a top or a full pane it added £100 to the window. In the 3 pane windows we have 2 full side openers and a top opener in the middle. For 2 pane windows we have one fixed pane and one full pane opener. For single windows (bathroom, en-suite) we have a single top opener. All the windows are like this no matter what the room is so they match upstairs to downstairs. We have french doors which open outwards, they "lock" outwards but very strong winds would close them. Not great for young children. We had french doors to begin with and I made a wooden thing that popped over the top of the doors that ensured they stayed open. They do impact the patio and we have perfect fit blinds which attach to the glass as no real headroom above the doors.

We also went with the hinges that you can slide so you can clean the outside of the window from the inside. Now although this seems like a great idea you need to use some long handled tool to get into the top corners of the openers and then clean the fixed middle pane of the 3. I certainly don't regret them but it isn't as easy as they make out once they are installed.

I would never have windows again without the small openings. Had them once and regretted it immediately.
You can't get the through draught or ventilation with just fractionally opening big windows.
I have some rooms still with no small windows and they are significantly stuffier .

I spec a lot of windows for clients and for casements generally tend to go with large openers with restrictors as it gives you more flexibility for ventilation (you can throw them open or restrict them to 10cm of 5mm to just give a bit) , fire escape and cleaning and they look better visually as there is less fussiness.
There can be individual circumstances when that's not the case but this is my general preference.

I see a few posts about window restrictors and security. It's worth noting that not all restrictors are the same.
Some are fairly easy to remove, some are only removable from the inside and some lock into place and need a key. It really depends on the type so if you are concerned check with the window company exactly what they use when buying and see if they will upgrade. They are also different from the locks that enable the window to be left with a locked ventilation gap which are definitely locks.

We moved to a house without small openings - I hate it. Small openings are the best for ventilation if you just want a bit of air but don't want to be freezing cold. If I ever get the windows replaced we'll be getting small openings - being on trend is second to practicalities.

Depending on how small - or not - the top openings are, be careful leaving them open. We had windows like the attached and someone broke into the house in broad daylight through one of the downstairs windows. We assumed no one would try to get through it - until they did.

I don’t understand this as surely you just don’t open bigger windows fully if you only want a little bit of air?!

The problem is that once the bigger window is open enough to get a decent amount of air in, it's also open enough to present a security risk.
For example, I wouldn't dream of sleeping with my big windows open. But put them on a restrictor and there's so little air coming in it's barely worth doing. But the transom windows allow a decent amount of air whilst reassuring me that a burglar can't get in (yes, they are smaller than the ones posted above).

Also with bugger windows, if you have low windows or ones that open at the bottom - it’s easy for children/pets to escape or for someone who’s a clutz to fall through them. (Me)

Although they are very useful when moving house and furniture won’t go up the stairs….

Bigger. BIGGER!

I'm getting some of those beautiful new windows fitted today. I will let you know @user1471530109 how they look and if I like the bottom opening!

We kept them all as per the original windows. Much prefer and use all the time

Thanks everyone. It's seems it's definitely down to preference.
Frustratingly after tipping the house and email box upside down, I can't find the quote I had done last year so I'm about to go and organise another quote from another local company. I've been looking at everyone's windows whilst out and about 🤪. It definitely seems that newer ones have the bigger openings but I agree I will miss not having the smaller ones in at least some of the windows.

I'm also convinced by the catio! I've added it to the list of mini renovations I'm planning in the new year. 5 years in this house (first house since divorce) and I can't live in disarray any longer. I just hope I don't regret spending the money the way the economy is going.

Yay! My catio man is coming out next week to measure up - more excited about hat than my replacement windows!!

@user1471530109 as prices are still all over the place you'd need a new quote anyway.
I've got quotes out for 3 clients jobs at the moment and for some things they are re-quoting on a monthly basis.
We had a window job (a big one) come in £7k over the original price due to price fluctuations (5mths from original quote to deposit at which point price was fixed)

No! @wonkylegs don't say that! The original quote was fixed for 12 months (so pissed off I can't find it in my email inbox).

I'm hoping to have them done in the new year but happy to pay a deposit to secure a price if necessary.