[Opulence]

Does anyone know if you can install a window over the kitchen sink, in the "Colony" Patio Villa model? I know you would need approval. I am curious if it's been done?

I have seen photos of a kitchen in a "Colony" villa model, where the solid door to the garage has been replaced with one that had glass in the top half. This minor change allowed for more light in the kitchen. Naturally, a shade or other type of window covering would be needed, especially when the garage door was not open. Since this was already an existing door, I doubt any kind of approval was needed. Adding a window above the sink however, is much more involved.


Betty

[Tom Hannon]

Have you considered Solar Lights? They would be a cheaper alternative. Adding one or two to the kitchen will brighten it up.

[Taj44]

If I recall, in the newer patio villas the sink is in the middle of the kitchen, facing out towards the living area. There is no wall or place to put a window above the sink. Perhaps you're looking at an older version of the patio villa.

If you are looking for more light, and I agree the kitchens in the patio villas can be dark, my friend had a solartube installed for a few hundred dollars, which made a world of difference. We have some installed in our designer as well. Money well spent.

[Opulence]

[QUOTE=Taj44;339102]If I recall, in the newer patio villas the sink is in the middle of the kitchen, facing out towards the living area. There is no wall or place to put a window above the sink. Perhaps you're looking at an older version of the patio villa.

You are absolutely correct - I should have asked about installing the window along the long back kitchen wall!

I know a solar tube would help a great deal - I just like windows . . .

Thanks.
Betty

[JohnN]

no is the answer if you're adjacent to another villa.

if you've a corner lot, you probably can but get approval

solar tubes are a great alternative, check 'em out

[l2ridehd]

On any outside wall of any home you can add a window. On a patio Villa unless your a corner lot, you will looking out at the wall of another patio Villa. The cost of adding a window is very dependent on what's in the wall. Is there plumbing or sink vent pipes that need to be moved. Wires for outlets that need relocation. Other things run through the wall there that need to be moved. Because there is no basement, most cable, phone, electric, doorbell, gas lines and any other flexible wires and pipes are run through the walls. And any that are run through that location would need to be moved. That can get expensive. So yes it can be done, but unless your opening up a nice view, consider the solar tubes as they really work well.

[Opulence]

Originally Posted by JohnN

no is the answer if you're adjacent to another villa.

if you've a corner lot, you probably can but get approval

solar tubes are a great alternative, check 'em out

If the villa were to back up to a wall, or perhaps certain other areas, where there are "no homes behind" - basically "private in the back" - then you could add the window, is that what you are saying?

Betty

We put a Solar Tube in and it works well in our villa.

[2newyorkers]

I would call the architectual review board and ask.

[JohnN]

PS - the sink in a colony villa faces the living area, you can't put a window there. I was thinking about the kitchen wall across from the sink.
Best bet is to get inside a villa and take a look.

[coach]

I am certain that a window on the back wall is not allowed. That fact that one side of the patio villa has no windows is by design. That allows your neighbor to enjoy the full space between your homes right up to your side wall. In return you enjoy the other side up to their wall. A window on this solid wall defeats the concept.

[Opulence]

Many of the patio villas back up to a wall or better yet, a three board fence. In these cases, no one is behind you. So adding a window to the back wall in the Colony model, would not infringe on any neighbors. I would check first of course. In fact, today in the pre-owned section of TV home sales, they did show one patio villa that had a window put in & the used that fact, in their description of the home as a sales feature. In any event, if I decide on a patio villa, I would get a definite yes or no answer.