windows that would not be considered "weak points"

[pheonixheart]

Oh okey doke - thanks

[johntgold]

I like the idea of aerogel based windows for their heat insulation properties.

check out for pictures: http://www.kalwall.com/

Here is a small list of manufactures for aerogel windows:

http://w1.cabot-corp.com/controller.jsp ... 67252+3043

[DJS]

This is a good site: http://www.swissshade.com .

[hitssquad]

I like the idea of aerogel based windows for their heat insulation properties.

Too bad they are inevitably frosted. Otherwise, a see-through fridge could be made.

[Nanos]

Perhaps install a camera inside the fridge and a screen outside.

[hitssquad]

Perhaps install a camera inside the fridge and a screen outside.

Well, now you're thinking like me. Cameras everywhere, and networked. No need for glazing and all of the problems and expense that glazing brings. Flat-panel displays are already everywhere. They simply need to be networked with cameras.

[BWARDEN]

Do we really need someone else who thinks like hitssquad? It's probably a treatable condition. Just kidding I really do appreciate your original thinking, hits.

[angelofdodd]

How about the flexable LCD screens that are out.They say one day in the near future you will be able to use them like wallpaper to do whole walls.you then hook it to your IMAX 3D camera or make it look like any place you want.Talk about a serious 3D gaming experience.Matt

[Ula Oh]

What about projection systems? I want to replace my TV with a projector, when it finally kicks the bucket (poor thing is at least 25 years old.) You would either need a projector screen or smooth walls.

Bailx, you really should consider going sans windows. I think it's the best option.

This is a thread on the downsides of glazing.

[hitssquad]

On that note, here is the latest in virtual-glazing:

This is more along the lines of what I'm talking about:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/10/wins ... -to-kinect

Winscape virtual window makes the leap to Kinect in 4K-capable, 6-screen glory (video)
By Jon Fingas posted Jul 10th 2012 9:04PM

For a start, there's no need to dress like Flavor Flav anymore: the camera can recognize anyone, even passers-by, without an oversized necklace. The larger-than-life footage used to generate the window effect has been given its own bump, too, and the app can now handle 4K video as long as the Mac underneath (sorry, Windows folks) is powerful enough to drive it.

[Necoras]

I was at the Seattle Aquarium a few years back and they have a huge aquarium wall in the front gallery. It's probably about 25-30 feet tall:

That whole window is a single piece of acrylic, something like 8-10 inches thick. I don't know if it's fireproof (though that does exist http://www.reynoldspolymer.com/Architec ... -Dura.html), but it can certainly take literal tons of pressure. This is the same type of material used to make tunnel aquariums. To withstand that kind of pressure, it has to be crazy strong. That said, this is static pressure. I've no idea what kind of impact a 5 inch thick (3 inches of concrete + 2 inches of foam) plate can take, though I'd suspect it's pretty impressive. It can also obviously be cast in various shapes; curves aren't a problem.

The main issue I see is cost. I've no idea what a custom window, or a dozen custom windows, will cost. Personally I'd like a few rooms (great room, bedroom, maybe a kitchen) with full floor to ceiling windows. This is probably my best bet, though it may end up costing the same as the rest of the house combined.