Daily Real Estate News  |  August 29, 2008  |   Throwing Stones at Glass Houses
People who live in glass houses often get more than they bargained for: the relentless glare of the sun can damaged furniture, make it impossible to see a TV or computer screen and cause room temperatures to spike in summer.

Wall-to-wall or wall-to-ceiling windows are increasingly trendy and featured constantly in real estate ads and home design magazines. But owners say the reality isn’t so glamorous.

Big windows are often streaked and spotty even when washed regularly. The sun fades furniture, wood floors, artwork and even kitchen cabinets.

Temperatures near the glass can be chilly in the winter and roasting in the summer.

And unless the shades are pulled, neighbors get a good view.

"I'm not sure people really anticipate what they're getting themselves into when they're buying these," says Terry Talentino, chief operating officer of Automated Shading Inc.

Source: The New York Times, Sara Lin (08/29/2008)