In a period when reality in Israel is tense, the home takes on a deeper meaning. Beyond being a place to live or host guests, it becomes a space where people primarily seek a sense of security and stability.
Especially in such times, even details that usually receive little attention gain new importance. One of these is the window. Beyond its aesthetic role, it is the element that connects the interior of the home with the outside world: Through it enters natural light, air, and views, providing a sense of space and openness to the interior.
For many years, discussions around windows focused mainly on design - on slim profiles, glass divisions, and the architectural look they give the home. Yet in the Israeli reality, particularly during periods of security instability, the window gains an additional dimension: It becomes a meeting point between the outside and the home space where people want to feel protected.
The Additional Dimension
According to Kobi Halifa, owner and home designer at ArtPro, a recent change in clients’ approach has been noticeable. “In Israel, the home has always been seen as a place of stability,” he says. “But in times like these, people want it not only to be beautiful and bright but also made from materials that provide a sense of security.”
He adds that more and more people planning a new home or renovating are also considering the safety aspects of windows. “Clients ask very specific questions - how the glass behaves in case of impact, whether it shatters into shards, and how stable the window itself is.”
One option that has become increasingly common in recent years is the use of triplex glass - a multi-layered glass that includes a special inner layer. Unlike regular glass that breaks into sharp shards, this type of glass may crack but the pieces remain attached to the inner layer, significantly reducing the spread of fragments inside the home.
It All Depends on the Glass
This technology is not new. It has been known for years in the automotive industry, where it is used for car windshields. Later, it was adopted in public buildings and projects requiring a high level of safety, and today it is increasingly found in private construction.
However, the type of glass is not the only factor affecting a window’s stability. The frame that holds it also plays an important role. Strong profiles allow for large glass surfaces while maintaining long-term stability, alongside a minimalist and clean appearance.
Halifa notes that one well-known solution in the field is the use of Belgian profiles. “Many know the Belgian profile mainly for its slim and elegant lines,” he explains. “But beyond design, it is an extremely stable profile. Combined with triplex glass, it results in a window that brings plenty of light and openness into the home, along with a sense of strength and durability.”
In Israel, where homes contend with strong sun, changing weather conditions, and sometimes emergencies, choosing the right windows is a decision that can impact quality of life at home for years. Perhaps this is also why, in the current period, more people are reconsidering the small details in the home. Alongside design and aesthetics, they are also seeking a sense of stability and protection.
In this sense, the window embodies the balance between the two: On one hand, it opens the home to the world, letting in light and air, and on the other hand, it serves as a physical boundary separating the outside from the home space.
And in a reality where what happens outside is not always predictable, this boundary becomes more significant than ever.