A German, who has lived in Singapore for several years, asked me - why does HDB build the windows opening outwards? In Germany, most of the windows open inwards. It will be easier to clean the windows, and it takes away the risk of old windows falling down to the ground.
I told him that one possible reason is that in our hot climate, most people keeps the window open and by opening outwards, it does not take space inside the flat.
He said that we do not need to open the window fully. It is possible to open the window just at an angle, so that it does not take too much space.
This raise another question. Do most of our new flats now use sliding windows, or swing windows?
Can HDB and condo owners share your views?
I told him that one possible reason is that in our hot climate, most people keeps the window open and by opening outwards, it does not take space inside the flat.
He said that we do not need to open the window fully. It is possible to open the window just at an angle, so that it does not take too much space.
This raise another question. Do most of our new flats now use sliding windows, or swing windows?
Can HDB and condo owners share your views?
HDB during the late 1990s & early 2000s started to use more sliding windows. However from mid-2000s onwards have gone back to almost exclusively casement windows (swing type on hinges).
ReplyDeleteMy HDB built during 2000-2002 has about 60% sliding versus 40% swing.
Condos built from the 80s to the 00s should be almost 100% sliding. Not sure about the latest condos.