I took advantage of the great views with strategically placed and sized windows. I also put most of the windows on the south side of the house to receive direct sunlight for passive solar heating during the winter. It worked great and most winters I never have to turn on the heat. During the summer, when the sun is farther north, almost no direct sunlight shines into the house. The wide window sills/seats are covered with local stone from the property or nearby, and are held in place with concrete. Most of the windows as well as the sliding glass door have wood frames clad with metal on the outside, and are from Sierra Pacific which has a good reputation with fair prices.