Altair louvre windows from Breezway are typically installed near the ceiling and above head height. Commonly known as highlight or clerestory windows, these windows not only look great but also offer a number of specific benefits. 

Benefit 1: A thermal chimney to naturally cool your building

Hot air rises, which means air near the ceiling in a building is generally warmer than the air near the floor. Positioning windows near the ceiling provides a way for warm air to flow out of the building, encouraging cool, outside air to be drawn in through the lower windows. This ‘thermal chimney’ effect avoids warm air being re-circulated inside the building resulting in a more comfortable living space. Thermal chimneys are especially beneficial on still days when there is no breeze to generate cross-flow ventilation. 

Short, wide windows are popular for this application and Altair louvres are an obvious choice not only because they maximise ventilation, but also because they remain functional, unlike other window types that require more square shapes to function properly.

Benefit 2: Ventilation, light and privacy

Positioning windows above head height results in vertically angled sightlines, which block view for neighbours and passers-by into the room. By positioning the window high up, one can not only maximise ventilation and maintain privacy but also eliminate the need for blinds or curtains on the windows.

Another often unexpected benefit of windows positioned up high is that they give pleasant diffused light. 

Benefit 3: Light, ventilation and security

While there are plenty of options for making Altair louvre windows more secure, the simple fact is a window that is out of reach is more difficult to access, and therefore an unpopular target. This allows windows installed up high to be confidently left open; even if a potential intruder manages to climb up to and through the window, they would still face a significant drop down to the inside floor below.

Control options and keylocks are two things to be considered when including highlight or clerestory windows in the building. 

Control options

Before installing Altair louvre windows up high, one will need to consider how the window will be opened and closed as it will be out of reach. 

Option 1: Altair Powerlouvre Windows 

By far the easiest control option for windows that are positioned out of reach is to just push a button and let the Powerlouvre window open and close by itself. The award-winning, patented Altair Powerlouvre window system has motors cleverly concealed within the frame and can be operated by a simple pair of switches on the wall or remote controls, or integrated into full building automation systems.

Option 2: Ring Handle + Map Rod

Available for those who prefer manual control of their windows, Altair ring handles are designed for compatibility with a Breezway map rod available in 2m, 3m and 4m lengths or a telescopic version that extends from 1.8 metres to 3.6 metres. Using a map rod does require a measure of hand-eye co-ordination, especially if the window is very high up. 

Option 3: Low Profile Handle + Map Rod

A less obtrusive handle option that can also be operated by a map rod, Altair’s low profile handle is recommended only if the handle is within a metre of head height as lateral force is required to fully close the window.

Keylocks

Altair keylocks cannot be operated using a map rod; therefore keylocks on windows out of reach cannot be locked and unlocked, and offer no real benefit. However, many home insurance companies prefer locks or security screens to be installed on all windows, and may increase premium if keylocks are not present.