Do Windows In High Rise Apartments Open? Here’s What Ours Has

One of the best features a high rise apartment can offer is…its’ windows. That’s right! Windows in an apartment, by both size and type, determine the breadth of your view, how much natural light you receive and somewhat-related – how much wind noise you hear. As you probably know, windows in high rise apartments aren’t exactly the same type you’ll find in a single family home. How do people in residential high rises get fresh air? Do windows in high rise apartments open? Here’s the scoop on high rise apartment windows, including the type our current apartment has.

High Rise Windows Vs Traditional Windows: The Difference

The majority of people out there are used to traditional windows found in single-family homes. Most single-family homes are wood-framed structures and window openings are framed into the wall. Windows installed in these openings are wood- or PVC-framed and slide open vertically, with a screen on the outside.

High rise windows are completely different.

High rise buildings are built using and mix of concrete (or CMU block) and steel. In turn, windows mostly fall into these categories:

• Aluminum Or Steel-Framed Windows Built Into Openings Within CMU Block Walls
• Aluminum-Framed Glass Systems That Are Fastened Into Concrete Floors & Ceilings
• Glass Curtainwall That Sits Outbound Of The Building’s Structure & Spans Continuously From One Floor To The Next

As you can see, there are several types of windows commonly found in high rise buildings. It hasn’t always been this way, though…

PROMOTION

_{LINK OPENS IN NEW TAB}

Older High Rises Were Built Under Different Codes

In older residential high rise buildings, it’s still possible to find traditional windows.

When we lived in Brooklyn, our 1960’s era building featured double-hung windows that opened by sliding upwards, even on the 8th floor.

Still, these windows did not have a screen. It makes sense – a screen falling from several stories up is a considerable safety risk for those passing below.

Aren’t these type of windows unsafe in a tall building? Yes! That’s why most cities require that window guards are permanently installed outside of each window to prevent falls.

Code has changed since the 60s though. Many older high rises have additional safety measures put in place (i.e. window guards) to meet newer codes, but designs are now different. I say “many” because some owners of older buildings don’t take these additional precautions, at the expense of huge potential fines and possibly the lives of residents.

Some building owner’s minimize costs by installing window guards only when specifically requested by the tenant, or if the tenant’s family includes children 10 years old or younger. NYC’s window guard ordinance requires this. It also specifies that no opening can be larger than 4.5-inches for safety purposes. This comes into play below.

Modern Windows In High Rise Apartments That Open

Now that we’ve covered some back story, let’s talk about windows in more modern high rise apartments. Windows in high rise apartments most often open in a few different ways. Below are a few examples of windows we either have in our current apartment or had in the past – all of which open only a few inches. But first…

This is based on my anecdotal knowledge and experience.

I can’t say for sure whether windows in ultra-tall high rises open or not. With wind speeds and potential pressure differences, it wouldn’t surprise me if certain apartments don’t have any windows that open for safety reasons. That said, here are the types I know of firsthand.

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows are exactly what they sound like. In a high rise, they’re usually an aluminum-framed window that slides horizontally in a track. As said above, sliding windows in a high rise only open a couple inches – the sliding window that’s in front of me as I write this article opens 4-3/8 inches. They’re limited by a non-removable (without an adapter) stopping device.

Pivot Windows

Pivot windows are similar to a typical door – they swing open on a hinge. The windows in our place open inward, as I imagine most do for safety reasons. Again, ours swing open about 3 inches. Latches are built to wind stand hurricane force winds, so they’re pretty heavy-duty.

Awning Windows

Awning windows are more like, well…an awning. They open very similar to a dog door – hinges horizontally along the top with a hurricane-proof latch on the bottom. The window then swings outward.

Hopper Windows

Hopper windows are the opposite of awning windows. They’ve got hinges along the bottom and a latch at the top. Rather than swinging outward, they actually open inwards.

Read Next:

• My Apartment Is Too Hot In The Summer: What Can I Do? Here Are 5 Tips
• Cats Living In High Rise Apartments: A Few Tips & Precautions
• Are High-Rise Balconies Safe? 7 Critical High-Rise Balcony Safety Tips

Most High Rise Apartment Windows Don’t Open

By this, I mean quantity-wise in any given apartment. Out of all the windows in our apartment, I’d say only about 25% of our windows open, and this is in a building with around 40 stories. The majority of windows are a solid glass pane.

Improvement In Ventilation Systems

To make up for the lack of open windows, new high rises have much more advanced climate control and ventilation systems. Mine does not, but it’s a relatively older building. Buildings finished in the last several years are much more evolved in terms of airflow, recycling, etc. This makes a lack of open windows a lot more bearable.

In Closing

If you came here wondering “do windows in high rise apartments open?”, you now know everything I do. I hope this article has been helpful.