Windows

I have always loved the clean lines and clear unobstructed views of the aluminum commercial window system.  Since aluminum is stronger than wood, window frame thicknesses can be reduced to 2".  This seems like the perfect solution for the little woods house.  My windows systems are also all 8' tall on the main level, and aluminum can easily span this height without the need for additional reinforcing or thickened frames - allowing for the greatest daylight opening and unobstructed views to the outside.  Additionally, i am planning for a large expanse of sliding glass doors between the main living space and the deck.  While the nanawall product is cool for certain applications (nanwall lets you slide the complete system away and stacked up against a wall) nanawall doesn't work well in Dayton where you need good insect screens to keep the skeeters out in the summer.  I am aware of a large sliding screen product that claims to work for nanawall but is not very practical to manage - especially with little ones around running through screens.  Aluminum window systems have large sliding glass door options (think high rise florida condo) that would work perfectly for the application, while also blending seemlessly into the rest of the window systems around the house.  Aluminum window systems also offer a thermally broken option, where a gasket is inserted between the exterior and interior frame which greatly reduces thermal conductivity through the window system.  1" thick (1/4 glass plus 1/2" air space plus 1/4" glass) high performance glazing will be specified for the windows, but more on that later.