Windows permit light to enter living spaces.
This brings to mind the story of the man who ran out of cheese to put in his mousetrap.
One night, he cut out of a magazine a photo of a piece of cheese and put it in the trap.
The next morning, he found the trap sprung on a photo of a mouse.
Notwithstanding any issues with building codes, deed covenants or HOAs, do what you want. One would suggest that you consider the long-term issue of salability though.
Drive thru northern Virginia - HUGE data storage buildings are going up with no windows all over. They’re even tearing down the AOL campus built in the 90’s - something of an Icon building complex that supported the internet revolution. I’d like to know how many of those buildings the CIA leases.
It makes sense for earth sheltered dwellings, interior rooms, underground shelters.
You could switch scenes to any place on earth with a camera, or insert video of your choosing.
You could go all Ray Bradbury if you want (unless the HOA has other opinions) but then you only get the IMAGE of what’s outside. Not the warmth, the vitamin D. Also you can’t open the image to get some fresh air.
minimum total window size per room sizemight be dictated by local building code.
also, lack of a picture window might (probably does for most people) affect livability/comfort, and also resale value if the home is built in the USA or Canada.
Maybe look into shutters if you are worried about zombie invasions.
(I am not an expert... in anything...)
If it’s facing west be sure to have plenty of spf 50 around!
lol
You don’t want to live in a bunker
Big windows are essential to letting in natural light. It’s truly the best.
Trust me
I suppose blinds are out of the question?
Why not? Many houses, including ours in Phoenix which faces south, only have small bedroom windows facing the street. Of course, the large rear sliding doors are susceptible to drones and and satellites if we draw the blinds.
Even in the cooler northeast, many older houses have no picture window, as they became a “thing” on the ranch houses in the ‘50s.
In newer developments, many houses are dominated by a garage that blocks the front of the house.
Perhaps you should live in a cave.
—
Personally I doubt many burglars enter home from the front picture window. I would think side or back windows or even the patio door would be the easiest means of entering a house.
Have you seen those scrims they use for advertising on buses? You can’t see into the bus but they still admit light (admittedly, reduced) and passengers can still see out.
Maybe something similar for bay and picture windows can be applied to thwart cameras from snooping inside. A silvery blue-grey scrim that fades from darker to lighter (or whatever you want) put over the panes. Still looks like a window but no one can see inside, folks can still look out, and light (with some reduction, unfortunately) still gets in.
Adjusting the size of the pinholes in the scrim to admit more light while still blocking the view inside. Draw the curtains or shades at night.
I think scrims are also sold as fabrics. Muslin is an example but that may be too dense. But you get the idea.
I have big picture windows. All are equipped with big drapes. Best of both worlds I should say.
To each his own. As for me, big picture windows are nice for many reasons. One of which is that they are good for the soul.
You do make a fair point about them being vulnerable to forced entry. If that’s a concern, consider an alarm that goes off when glass shatters. There’s also clear film you can put on a window. The film helps to keep the glass from shattering, and thus creating an opening.
Side note: They call this stuff “shatterproof”. I think it’s better called “shatter-resistant”.
https://www.amazon.com/shatterproof-window-film/s?k=shatterproof+window+film
faux Windows work too. a neighbor has a two story with two tiny windows on one wall of the first floor and the giant wall space was UGLY! they had the contractor add some glass and trim on the ugly side and voila! now it was pretty. of course on the inside there were still no windows....But WHO CARES.
To your question: of course, if that’s what you want. Some homes have large windows at 6’ or higher to allow light to enter the room. Light entere and privacy maintained at the cost to a view.
But look up “scrim” on the internet. (Wikipedia has an article.) If you want light, a view, and some privacy without expense, a scrim of some sort may be the solution.
What a stupid question and a stupid idea.