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A friend just built a small house in Guanacaste. He indicated the only windows they could find are the ones that have a small sliding area at the top and they didn’t come with screens. Are there other types out there??? Not interested in the jelosy type.
Thanks in advance for the info.Regular windows are available all over Guanacaste. Most of the towns have a glazier who will will make whatever you want!
A friend of mine is living in Alajuela, please don’t use the type of windows they use overthere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKzZEWKKywYThe typical approach to windows is that the architect draws the plan and specifies the window opening sizes and locations. Then the builder builds what’s possible. Once the window openings are finished, the window contractor comes in, takes measurements, and fabricates a custom window for each opening.
Our windows are plate glass (non-opening) on the lower eighty percent or so and there are awning windows above for ventilation. Awning windows have hinges at the top and typically open outward. We leave ours open all year and have never had rain get in. Screens are on the inside.
You can have windows made with wood frames, which have an inherent maintenance problem, or you can do what most folks do and specify aluminum frames which are available in several finishes.
Because our upper windows are so high, we specified tempered glass from the contractor. Tempered glass is less likely to break (affording a bit of protection from burglars). If it does, it shatters into small pieces like a car windshield, so you are much less likely to be injured if a window should break in an earthquake.
For our lower windows, we used regular glass and then had a clear plastic security film applied to the inside. This film strengthens the glass, holds it together if it does break (keeping it from flying around), protects it from breakage by burglars, and excludes about ninety-eight percent of the ultraviolet radiation that rots fabrics.
(You can also get this security film applied to your car windows, by the way.)
When you are considering building housing in Costa Rica the exterior installations are very important because no matter where you’re located in this country, we’re less than 10 degrees from the equator and the UV impact on building materials causes pre-mature deterioration. As anywhere else in the world, you will get what you pay for and I recommend appropriating as much money as necessary for quality windows and doors. Below are some of the finest exterior windows and doors that are available in Costa Rica.
http://na.rehau.com/construction/index.shtml. Rehau, system 700 replacement double-hung and double-slider. The system 700 double-hung and double-slider window design provides long-lasting and trouble-free elegance for residential and light commercial replacement applications. The system is available in white or beige PVC, and can be laminated with solid color or wood grain foils.
http://www.euromatcr.com/p_costrustoras_arquitectos.html. Euromat offers high-quality wooden windows including many options that are practical for the environment in Costa Rica. They offer anti-theft windows, http://www.euromatcr.com/anti_robo.html as well as energy efficient reflective coated windows which are ideal to defer the strong UV rays of the sun. http://www.euromatcr.com/contra_sol_y_luz_ultravioleta.htmlI used PVC windows from Construcciones Mecanicas in San Jose. We installed sliders, double hung(the lower window raises and upper window is fixed), bay window and french doors. They’re in the Costa Rica yellow pages. Nice people, good for their word, at least with me…
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