Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Jan 01, 2011 9:37 pm In my current plans I have an awning style window in my pantry (approx 90cm x 90cm) that is west facing and has no eave. I'm starting to wonder whether it is a good idea to have a window there in what is essentially a small room with food stored on open shelving. Most dry food packaging states that it should be stored in a cool dark place. I have a work bench in the pantry so I quite like the idea of having the window for ventilation and natural light when needed. I could install thermal window film and an internal shutter but I don't know how effective they might be. From a practical point of view I think I should probably just remove the window. Does anyone have any suggestions? Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 2Jan 02, 2011 6:32 am Having had a look at your layout if you want a cool dry place I would certainly suggest you delete the window as its going to get very hot in the afternoon/evening. One of those solar tubes may be better for daytime lighting. I would also strongly suggest that you look at some 80%+ reflective tint for the kitchen windows The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 3Jan 02, 2011 7:50 am From a food storage POV, I think windows or skylights are probably not a good idea in pantries - cool and dark is best for most food storage. Not sure how this goes if you have a workbench in there - but I think turning the light on when in there would be better idea - I guess this is one of the downsides of butlers pantries and the like Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 5Jan 02, 2011 8:39 am I am having a sensor light,maybe that's an option. Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 6Jan 02, 2011 11:12 pm I would also remove the window. We have west facing windows and even with reflective tint and outside awnings, a lot of heat and light still come thru. I agree a sensor sounds like the best idea. It is nice to have a cool place to store food. Recently moved to a 60's home in need of some improvement! http://s797.photobucket.com/user/leenii ... ch%20House Old house: http://s797.photobucket.com/albums/yy25 ... loo/House/ Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 7Jan 02, 2011 11:51 pm we have a skylight in our butler's pantry, and I'd never have it any other way. So much easier to get good light. Our pantry has cabinets in it, so no food is really "exposed", no more than in a supermarket anyway. Having good lighting in my home, specially in the kitchen area which is used often, was an essential element of my home. If it were up to me, and I could have a window, I would. But space is premium if it's not large. Hope that helps you decide. I've certainly seen windows in many pantries in display homes, I think they look fabulous... I just can't imagine food deteriorating due to lighting... good luck. A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 8Jan 03, 2011 7:51 am Annietom we have a skylight in our butler's pantry, and I'd never have it any other way. So much easier to get good light. Our pantry has cabinets in it, so no food is really "exposed", no more than in a supermarket anyway. Having good lighting in my home, specially in the kitchen area which is used often, was an essential element of my home. If it were up to me, and I could have a window, I would. But space is premium if it's not large. Hope that helps you decide. I've certainly seen windows in many pantries in display homes, I think they look fabulous... I just can't imagine food deteriorating due to lighting... good luck. +1.... our butler's pantry is smack bang in the middle of the house and we'll eventually get around to adding a skylight. I'm in there a reasonable amount of time and I'd definitely have gone for the window if the pantry adjoined an external wall. If you are really concerned about food deterioration, you could have a blockout blind and then just put it up when you are working in there? I guess it's a matter of weighing up how much time you think you'll be in there using the workbench. The more likely that is to happen, I'd think the more useful the window becomes. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 9Jan 03, 2011 10:29 am Thanks for all your replies. I've decided to find out how much it would cost to change that 1 window from a standard aluminium awning to a uPVC double glazed unit. My DH thinks I'm crazy but that's nothing new. I've sent a quote request off to the supplier to find out the cost of each to see if it might be possible. Won't ask the builder at this stage (who will probably add a gazillion dollars to the cost!) The way things are going I sometimes wonder whether I'll have a DH by the time this house is built! Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 10Jan 03, 2011 10:33 am If you want the pantry to be cool a double glazed window is the wrong way to go. it will make it hotter. Won't do anything about the incoming heat but will stop heat going out The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 11Jan 03, 2011 10:38 am bashworth If you want the pantry to be cool a double glazed window is the wrong way to go. it will make it hotter. Won't do anything about the incoming heat but will stop heat going out I thought double glazing stopped heat transfer - wouldn't this make the room cooler in summer but warmer in winter? Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 12Jan 03, 2011 10:45 am Had a look at your plan,if you want to keep window you could 1.get an awning 2.Plant some deciduous trees for long term shade Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 13Jan 03, 2011 2:08 pm Double glazing does nothing to stop radiant heat from the sun. It only reduces conducted heat The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 14Jan 03, 2011 2:16 pm we have a window in our north facing pantry and it's fine. only once have I had to chuck out a packet of pasta that I forgot to put in the cupboard. and it only happened because I don't think I've ever shut the blind "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 15Jan 03, 2011 2:32 pm A window in a pantry sounds really weird and useless to me. Each to their own... Built with New Generation (Summit Homes) We own land!... with a slab on it! Plus a shell of a house with stuff inside ! Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 17Jan 03, 2011 6:39 pm Quote: Oh contraire. You never have to turn on a light during the day. +1. We had one in our rental - brilliant. You know..... one of those that sits high up on the wall & as long as the room itself. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 18Jan 03, 2011 7:17 pm As bashworth has said, double glazing will do absolutely nothing for your situation. (Actually, it may make things worse.) Not sure how long you plan to spend in the butler's pantry, but if less than half an hour a day, no window and a light sound like the way to go. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 19Jan 03, 2011 8:00 pm nerak The way things are going I sometimes wonder whether I'll have a DH by the time this house is built! I think there are a fair few of us who have had this thought throughout the build... you are not alone... Building on the Sunshine Coast - Land settled 22nd July 2009 Building contract finally signed (after much deliberation on our part) 11th November 2009 Building commences 25th January 2010 - small local builder End of June - almost completed fit out 26th July - MOVE IN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Re: Window in Pantry - Is it a good idea? 20Jan 03, 2011 8:29 pm Moogles nerak The way things are going I sometimes wonder whether I'll have a DH by the time this house is built! I think there are a fair few of us who have had this thought throughout the build... you are not alone... That's exactly what I was going to say... www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Basically. If the shelves are fixed then they will be screwed in just the same as the rest of the carcass. 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