Why do control towers have outward-leaning windows?

[wormburner]

And if they're so good, why don't other buildings?

[zasker]

I don't know for certain but I would have thought it would limit how much glare they would get from the sun amongst other things?

[Geneve]

The design is all to do with maximising the visual observation area from the tower and minimising reflections and heat.

[Munter]

wormburner said:

And if they're so good, why don't other buildings?

You see it also at "gate houses".

I figured it was because water would be less likely to hit it. So more likely to stay clear and easy to see through.

[Odie]

I thought it was to make it harder to bang your head on the window when looking out.

[anonymous-user]

wormburner said:

And if they're so good, why don't other buildings?

Because every building would end up looking like a control tower?

[Eric Mc]

The Lunar Module windows sloped in that way as well.

[E31Shrew]

Used to be in Air Traffic in the late 70s. Great job cleaning those suckers on jankers! Mind you, spent 3 happy years at Manston where all we did was sleep!

[Prawo Jazdy]

If they were vertical, you'd get lots of reflections of other windows during the day, and be able to see very little at night. The ceiling is matt black to prevent you seeing that on the window. Unfortunately, if someone does a shabby job of installing spotlights in the ceiling, you end up seeing reflections of them.

I can confirm that rain still gets to the windows. It's rarely a big deal. Whether it would be if they were vertical I don't know.

[bleesh]

Eric Mc said:

The Lunar Module windows sloped in that way as well.

Or sloped out that way, depending on your point of view ;-)

[Dogwatch]

Often see them on ships' bridges (and the rear windows of Ford Angleboxes ). In the latter case it was an attempt to keep the glass clean(ish) without using a wiper, in the former I always assumed the same principle was being used to keep the glass as clear as possible of salt and spray.

Didn't catch on with car designers but did elsewhere it seems.

[kiteless]

Not all ATC towers have such windows.

This is mrs k's office at Cosford:



Although if the a/c in the "bubble" goes pop, it does get fearsomely hot up there in the summer.

[E31Shrew]

Sorely tempted but no idea what they're asking!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...

[Popeyed]

Dogwatch said:

Often see them on ships' bridges (and the rear windows of Ford Angleboxes ). In the latter case it was an attempt to keep the glass clean(ish) without using a wiper, in the former I always assumed the same principle was being used to keep the glass as clear as possible of salt and spray.

Didn't catch on with car designers but did elsewhere it seems.

On ship's bridge windows it is to do with stopping reflections from the bridge instrumentation and numerous indicator lights in the windows at night, so you can see out easily. Nothing to do with rain or spray, they still get to the windows without difficulty.

[guru_1071]

doesnt it also stop the sun 'glinting' of the windows and dazzeling people (im sure pilots apperciate not been dazzeled when they are landing!

a lot of desert ww2 vehicles had angled screens for this reason.

[Prawo Jazdy]

Plenty of other buildings on and around airports have 'normal' windows, so i'm pretty sure it's just for the benefit of people inside the tower, rather than outside.

[grumpyscot]

I thought the windows were that way so that they could see their cars in the car park and know when they were going to get booked for going over time.

[230TE]

I want this one:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/261484

Now out of use, don't know whether it will be sold but would make a fabulous house.

[JuniorD]

The first airfield in the UK to have angled tower windows was Langford Lodge, County Antrim, a couple of miles from. Aldergrove. Story Is that even the toilet block has sloping windows too but anytime I've been there I forgot to check.

[anonymous-user]

I believe it was to enable large pieces of cheese to be lent up against those windows without falling over, which would be an unjustifiable hazard in the busy confines of an Air traffic control environment........................




possibly ;-)