Pictures?

Our current windows:

Other skinny frames I do like:

Fat frames I do not like:

@njmomma Just posted! For some reason, I was not given an option to include photos in my original post, so I put them in a comment.

Contact a local glass company to get answers and cost information. Chances are the larger mullions your neighbors have ended up with was driven by costs.

Depends upon what part of the country you're in also. Do you get hurricanes?

You're going to need an engineered curtain wall assembly to do that justice.

That is a very, very nice wall of windows. Very routine for commercial buildings with exception to the sliding door. I'd aslo reccomend contacting a local glass company, one that does commercial installations. Google "commercial glass" for your area.

I was going to say the same thing, look at commercial window systems.

My windows were originally designed to look much like your original windows, only even more poorly constructed. How about 2x4 lumber frames with quarter round holding in sheets of glass?

I don't know what the original door was but right now there are very thick vinyl replacement windows inserted into the 2x4 frames and an off the rack big box store French door. You can imagine how this all looks.

Anyway it's last on the list, being on the third floor and looking out on a terrace behind a parapet, nothing great, so I may not have or want to spend the budget for super thin frames/mullions.

One way I am thinking of getting a more open look back is to reduce the number of divisions: replace the French door and the two squares on either side with one big slider, and replace the other two fixed and angled panels on each side with one each, and making the peak one big piece. So, in general removing a number of divisions to compensate for the thinness I might not be able to achieve.

First, don’t do Replacement windows which add a thick frame inside your current frame. Educate yourselves by making an appointment at a window showroom and talking to the sales people. Bring a tape measure and find out for yourself what thickness of frame you will get with new or replacement windows.

In our case, we were able to find the company that replaced broken glass for the original builder (through our area’s real estate agent). We used them to replace just the glass using the current frame. Our old windows (from 1995) were double paned and had film on them to protect from sun. We upgraded to double paned Low E which made a huge difference in efficiency. We considered replacing the sliding glass doors but were able to repair them by replacing the rollers and adjusting them so we just replaced the glass in them too.

Good luck with your project!

> @Joseph Corlett, LLC Depends upon what part of the country you're in also. Do you get hurricanes?

West Coast -- no hurricanes. Just forest fires.

> @User. You're going to need an engineered curtain wall assembly to do that justice.

We probably won't do any curtains at all. Our backyard when it's finished will be totally private.

> @lkbum_gw I'd aslo reccomend contacting a local glass company, one that does commercial installations. Google "commercial glass" for your area.

Ooo. That is an idea. I will do that!

> @palimpsest One way I am thinking of getting a more open look back is to reduce the number of divisions

I am giving that some thought too. Ours isn't too bad from a divisions perspective, but even fewer would be even better.

> @dan1888

Thank you so much for linking me to specific product lines. That is REALLY helpful. I will definitely thoroughly look through all of them this week.

> @Shasta We considered replacing the sliding glass doors but were able to repair them by replacing the rollers and adjusting them so we just replaced the glass in them too.

Who did the repair on your sliding glass doors? Was it the same people who replaced the glass, or are there companies who specialize in sliding door repair? If so, what is that specialty called? Because that would definitely be of GREAT interest. If someone could make these glide smoothly and quit leaking, that would solve everything.

Youre not understanding what a curtain wall is. It’s an engineering method that allows glass to physically span large openings, like you have, without chunky ugly structural supports. And the engineering accounts for the normal movement of structures, so you don’t get leaks and air infiltration. It’s the only way to keep it light and airy, and structurally sound.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtain_wall_(architecture)

. https://ctwindowsinc.com/engineered-glazing-systems/engineered-wood-curtain-wall/

These are "curtainwall" façade glazing in commercial applications but will give you a better idea of what a curtainwall is.

@User, @millworkman

Ohhhhhhhh. Yes. That is precisely what I meant when I said I didn't know what to call what I am looking for. Spot on.

Also, now that I have googled curtain walls, you are all convincing me to hire an architect. We've got more work than just the windows to do that they'd be helpful with. And reading about the methods of how curtain walls vs store fronts direct water has tipped me right over. I do not feel at ALL qualified to select the right curtain wall for our application and to make sure it works and is installed as intended.

Window choices affect so much about how a structure performa thermally, as well as with wind and water. Talking to an engineer is the right choice!

I think I might replace with clear anondized aluminum frames with doulble pane low E glass. Also tell the window company you want the thinest frames and show them photos of what you want. I would look for a local window company. I also have walls of glass in my midcentury home. I went with a local company that custom made the glass and frames for most of the house. I believe it was commercial but I think even companies like milgard do something similar. Congrats on your new house. The architecture looks great!