High windows a useful addition to a garden office

Over the last year or so, when writing about garden room projects, we have noticed that more and more buyers are incorporating a high-level window or two into their building. Often, their decision to include one is more to do with the light they will let into the room and the ease in which they can be opened to ventilate the space than the view they frame. In fact, in many of the examples, we have seen recently, the view has been nothing more than that of the boundary fence or hedge.

Many buyers are incorporating a high-level window into their garden office building
Many buyers are incorporating a high-level window into their garden office building

A particular style of window is used

A particular style of window is being used in these instances; a rectangular top hung opening window. The name used for this style of window differs between garden office companies. Some call them lozenge windows; others letterbox windows, with some just sticking to rectangular windows! The thing is, they all tend to be wider, than they are taller. Some examples we have seen have been very short at around 300mm high. You have to think through when choosing a very narrow window that the ratio of frame to glass will be higher.

The rectangular opening windows used are referred to as lozenge windows and letterbox windows
The rectangular opening windows used are referred to as lozenge windows and letterbox windows

These windows could easily be positioned at desk height, and many buyers do this to create a cockpit-style working environment. But, they really come into their own when placed higher up in the wall.

High windows offer more benefits than just framing a view

Whole walls of bi-fold doors or a mix of doors and floor to ceiling fixed panel windows are significant trends in garden office design. But, they do limit you when you just want to open a window to get a little air into the room. If you don’t have any opening windows, you are forced to open the door, which isn’t always ideal, for instance in the winter.

The windows typically are not used to frame a view, often looking on to a fence or hedge. Rather they are used for the extra light they add and for ventilating the room.
The windows typically are not used to frame a view, often looking on to a fence or hedge. Rather they are used for the extra light they add and for ventilating the room.

Including one or more high windows can be beneficial

Often one long window is used in the centre of the rear or side walls. The other option is to use two smaller windows spaced along the wall, as we show in this mock-up. As you can see, the windows have no view; in fact, they are just over 300mm from a dense hedge, but they are still letting valuable light into the office. They would also be easy to unlock and push open to allow air into the room.

Often one wide window is used. Some buyers choose to use two smaller windows spaced along the wall.
Often one wide window is used. Some buyers choose to use two smaller windows spaced along the wall.

So, consider incorporating a high opening window into your garden office design. Particularly if you are otherwise focusing doors and fixed glazing on one wall. They don’t need to be framing a good view to be a valuable addition to your building. Start by talking to these companies about your options to incorporate a high-level window into your garden office.

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