jalousie windows are composed of parallel glass acrylic set in a frame, and the glass slide is locked in a window wrap. Jalousie is a French word for “jealousy.” Its use began in 18th century France from the Italian word geloso, which means jealous or screen—allowing one to see without being seen. It can be opened for fresh air and closed when rain showers. It is the most popular modern window used in every building or home. But indeed, it has its pros and cons. This article is an honest-to-goodness review of the jalousie from an end user’s perspective.
Here’s why we love Jalousie windows.
- The first advantage of using a jalousie window is that it can be easily attached to its window crank. Your carpenter can easily attach it. Unlike wood, your carpenter will no longer use a hammer or hooks to secure it. Thus, the labor will be fast, making long rows of a window. The window crank will easily open, and insects will easily be found and killed because the window crank opens easily.
- It is easy to clean because it can easily be removed. Just slide it out of the window crank, then dust it with a cloth to dry. Use a dry cloth always so as not to smudge the finish. Unwanted substances such as dirt, infectious agents, and other impurities can be cleaned easily because it is made of thick glass. It is hygienic and functional for cleansing purposes. It can be cleaned using a chemical solvent other than water or with water itself, soapy or non-soapy. Every home or building, whether big or small, apartment or motel, gets dirty windows. But the dirt on jalousie windows does not leave stains and is not sticky, so they are clean for good. It just takes only weekends to clean it and not daily.
- It closes the window properly. Use a clip handle and blow, and there you are, the window. Unlike the bay window, where you need to use strings to close up, the jalousie window closes and locks immediately. It is automatic, and you can have privacy. In addition, it is cheaper and easy to install.
- It is beautiful to look at. Paired with a colorful rooftop, it creates a dramatic view. Rows of it make it stand dominant, especially if it has long rows. The aluminum makes it shiny and attractive. The design is unique. It looks extravagant. It is a show-off. Many will say that you have a beautiful house or building because of the jalousie you placed as windows. It looks modern and highly technical. The rows of each rectangular glass combine qualities of shapes, color, and form that correct the aesthetic senses, especially the sense of sight.
- It has strength. It cannot be crumpled, pricked, wrinkled, and get dusty quickly.
- Good ventilation. In a conversation with Filipina Architect Gloryrose Metilla, she said that another benefit of jalousie windows is that they help cool the temperature of your home or building. It brings a lot of fresh air when opened. You do not need an air conditioner. The one opening of rows of jalousies removes heat and shoots out natural fresh air. They also control heat from smoke as they open so much air. They open to allow air to enter your home or building, making dangerous smoke, dust, and air pollution out of your home and building. They decrease energy intake on electric bills because you no longer need electric fans or aircon to cool your place. The rows are joined into a window wrap so they may be tilted open and shut together to control the airflow.
Here’s why we have second thoughts.
- Without grills, it can be opened by thieves. The cost of repairs from damaged and stolen items value more if you only use jalousie windows without grills. Without grills, thieves usually target houses and buildings obstructed but not along the streets. They can open and tilt the window wrap of each jalousie window glass piece by piece, every rectangular glass, and then jump in the house or building. Regarding security, jalousie windows are one of the weakest parts of the house or building. You may need reinforcement of glass panes in your window to prevent entry. Clever burglars do not crash windows for access. They make it as silent as possible by tilting the window wrap crank of the jalousie windows, leaving them on the ground to make no sound, and usually at midnight when everyone is sound asleep and when jalousies are easy to open.
- Without grills, it can be easily hit by flying balls and flying steel objects. Yup, gravity does harm when bouncing balls strike. Gravity throws the ball sideways, then down to the ground, especially a baseball ball. The ball hitting the jalousie window puts an equal force back onto it, causing it to bounce back, striking hard. Try bouncing and shooting balls with varied stiffness, like an inflated basketball ball, a soccer ball, a tennis ball, or a baseball ball, and look at what happens. Also, the type of ground your ball bounces on, hard concrete cement, and you will see how it breaks down your jalousie window. Ordinary glass is much stiffer than rubber, but if the ball bounces fast, it can break down without you noticing it. It is how much energy is taken after the force is done and the glass is hit by the rubber ball so fast. It cracks. It breaks, and it is another minus in your pocket.
- You need to place grills on jalousie windows to be protected and not break down quickly. The glass windows on rows are frail and not strong enough to withstand flying balls like basketball, tennis, and baseball. Also, steel materials like rods, knives, and bolos are harder than jalousie windows. They can quickly break a glass or more jalousie windows or rows. Aluminum glass jalousie windows are less complicated than steel. However, steel is five times greater than that aluminum. The solution to that again is to bar jalousies with grills. This can prevent breakage.
- Repairs and maintenance are expensive on jalousie windows. No matter what grills you are in, the jalousies need care. The goal is to keep the window crank, part finder, and glass safe from leaks. Repairs are refurbishment work when parts of the window need to be managed better. The level of repair needs to do hangs on the level up of negligence, causing the jalousie windows to malfunction. Corrective action gets the jalousie windows back to good shape and brim-full ease of use before the recognized issue leads to complete failure. Complete negligence is when the jalousie windows malfunction and is completely broken down, letting not even thieves because they are grilled. Still, snakes, grasshoppers, spiders, scorpions, worms, centipedes, and other insects enter. It is hazardous, so it needs repair, maintenance, and screening as soon as possible. By cleansing and sweeping, you can prevent such things from happening, and when it breaks, rush to the nearest carpenter for repair and install a new jalousie glass window. Or if the window cranks break, better remove it and replace a new one.
- It is not soundproof. Your secrets are heard so are your screams of joy. You have no privacy anymore. Your life is heard by all neighbors if there is a quarrel happening in your building or home. They know your life, your weaknesses, and your funny secrets. When you turn your back, you are a target of gossip. Also, when you practice singing, everybody will know your mistakes, and they will laugh, saying you are trying hard. Another is when the voices of one or too many in the room get irritating because it gives out the total volume. Neighbors will hate you for it. But, according to Architect Gloryrose Metilla, there are ways to soundproof jalousie windows like insulating strips, soundproof curtains, acoustical caulk, or just purchasing high-tech acoustic jalousies.
So, that is an honest review of the jalousie from a user’s perspective. What do you think about jalousies? Let us know in the comments below.