TMCnet Feature Free eNews Subscription
June 03, 2019

The Latest Window Technology in 2019



Windows are a must have in every home for ventilation purposes. However, necessity should not erase the need to make it aesthetically pleasing. Which is why window styles and technology are updated for beauty, and of course, safety. Some companies offer features like a safety window film which is currently in trend. Most of the incoming trends are modern, clean and simple.



Black and dark hues

2019 seems to be the year for black window frames, because of its increasing popularity. The sweet thing about this is, black will always be a complimentary framing for the view of the outside world. This beauty works for both interior and exterior frames.

If you really don't know how using the color black will make you feel, then you can try other dark colors. You may go for dark green, barn red, and dark brown. You will add beauty to your windows and still keep up with the recent trends.

Do you think the black trend is cool? Is it meant to be a focal point or just neutral? Some people believe that black is more than neutral and that it's a catalyst for a new wave of home trends. It is said to make homeowners, designers, and builders think differently about how to use the color.

Painted frames

Painted window frames are also getting recognition this year. It gives the homeowners the chance to change the frame's color in the future if they desire to do so. This also gives them the opportunity to choose the materials that they want to use. When you want black frames, it does not mean you have to limit yourself to metal materials like steel or aluminum. You can also make use of wood and other materials, and paint them the color you want.

Modern windows

Modern windows generally describe windows with clean and simple designs. The advantage is that you get a better view through the windows. You will be able to use simple shapes, fewer grids, and refined styles. You can use mixed shapes, but it will still carry a conservative design.

Big windows

2019 will also see a floor-to-ceiling window trend. This is one type of window that has many functions. It gives you an unobstructed view and also helps to make your home more energy-efficient. Natural light will flood in through the expansive window, which makes it unnecessary to use your indoor lights. It also helps to maintain temperatures by keeping your home warm naturally during the day. Your home will also look bigger because the huge windows create the illusion of a bigger space.

Solar Panel windows

Another new trend is, your home may be able to generate solar power from other places, not only your roof. While the solar market evolves and expands, companies have begun looking into novel solar technologies that could spread solar energy generation beyond the usual rooftop and ground-mount solar panels. The “solar panel window” based on this idea has started gaining popularity in the markets.

A "solar panel window" is a class of technology that generates electricity from the sun shining on the windows of buildings. Transparent solar panel windows would hypothetically be able to replace standard glass window panes, while traditional solar panels are an addition to a previously installed roof. As a result, this type of solar technology is often referred to as “building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).” Tesla’s solar roof is another recent technology that falls under the BIPV umbrella. BIPV technologies offer many potential benefits – many homeowners love them because they can be much more aesthetically appealing, and easier to maintain than traditional solar options, depending on the type of installation. Solar panel windows, that generate power from the glass itself, still have a long way before they are produced.

 To make a really transparent solar window may involve nanotechnology. In theory, quantum dots embedded in glass windows absorb light and re-emit it as infrared light towards solar cells housed at the edges of window panels to generate power. If quantum dot technology is used to design windows, then enough energy will be harnessed from the sun, and light will still be allowed through the glass window pane housing the quantum dots.

This technology is still being worked on may not be available for a couple of years, which implies that you can not install them in your home now. But it shows that there is hope for building solar panel windows.

There are similar technologies being developed that could hit the mass market in the near future.

Solar Panel Blinds

Another solution that is currently being developed is solar panel blinds. In this case, the actual window doesn't produce energy, instead blinds are lined with small solar panels installed along with them. The blinds can either inside or outside of a window and automatically set to rotate with the sun throughout the day, optimizing energy production and efficiency.

Windows, that in the past have been considered one of our home’s energy wasters, are now becoming energy efficient, and may soon be energy producers.



» More TMCnet Feature Articles
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]
SHARE THIS ARTICLE

LATEST TMCNET ARTICLES

» More TMCnet Feature Articles