Windows and Ventilation in Building

Windows

Window is the opening in the building. Window is a switch used for light, ventilation and visual connection usually between the outside and the inside. These are not meant for access. It rests on sill of a wall and are usually topped by lintel. It is made of different materials including Timber, Aluminum, Steel, PVC, etc. The sizes vary according to purpose and use.

Elements of Window(Terminology)

1. Frame   - It is the vertical member/ post fixed on the wall with the help of holdfast (125X75). 
2. Shutter – It is the movable part of the door which is hinged with the frame.
3. Holdfast – It is the metallic anchorage which holds the door frame against the wall.
4. Post/ jamb - Vertical member/ face of the frame/ wall, which receives the holdfast.
5. Head - The horizontal member at the top of the frame.
6. Rails – They are the horizontal members of a shutter. They are termed as the Bottom, Lock (middle), Top rail according to their location in the shutter.
7. Stile – The vertical member of shutter, which frames the shutter.
8. Panel - Block or board to seal the void of a shutter.
9. Mullion-  The vertical member lying between two shutters.
10. Sill-  the lower part of window frame.
11. Horn-  parts of window or door frame left for proper anchorage.

Types of Window

Casement/ordinary windows

A casement window is a window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges. It usually comes in combination with fixed and ventilator portion.

Glazed/sash windows

It is the most common type of window. The window section is of glass panel. It is of two types: Single glazed, Double glazed:

Singal glazed :- It is the general practice in our locality.

Double glazed :- It is done for special purpose, such as insulation of heat and sound. Almost all glazed door and windows are double is Europe and other cold region. This in not familiar in our Himalayan region.

Louvered windows

The section is fixed with louvered. It has blind or shutter with horizontal slats that are angled to admit

light and air, but to keep out rain, direct sunshine, and noise. The angle of the slats may be adjustable. It is suitable where ventilation is desired without visual connection. 

Pivoted windows

The frame is pivoted up and down or may be horizontally or vertically pivoted along the center as per need.

Corner window

The section is fixed at the corner in two direction. It is placed at the corner, whose portion extends into both the wall.

Double hung window

The section slides vertically with in grooves in frame. It occupies less space.

Gable window

This is ordinary window. It is positioned at the gable end of the roof.

Dormer window

A dormer is a structural element of a building that protrudes from the plane of a sloping roof surface. It is placed on the roof (slope) to bring light and ventilation inside the room/attic. Dormer windows are source of light and ventilation for top floors.

Bay windows

A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building. It is a multi-

panel window with at least three panels set at different angles. The angles most commonly used on the inside corners of the bay are 90, 135 and 150 degrees. They are projected outside usually with low sill.

Clerestory window

It is the window just below the roof or ceiling. It is placed over the slab of a room to serve the room inside with high ceiling. Clerestory refers to any high windows above eye level. The purpose is to bring outside light, fresh air, or both into the inner space.

Lantern window

A roof lantern is a multi-paned glass structure a small building, built on a roof for day or moon light. The sections are placed horizontally on the flat roof for the purpose of light.

Sky light window

The sections are provided in a sloped surface. They are used for daylighting. The thermal performance of skylights is affected. During warm seasons, skylights with transparent glazing will cause internal heat problems.

Sliding window

In this type of window, the section slides in sideways or horizontally. It is popular in aluminum, steel and U-PVC.

Steel (metal) window 

This type of window comes in angle section/rectangular pipe section which are used as frames.

French window

This type of window has one or more panes of glass set into the whole length.

Ventilation

Ventilator is narrow opening with small height provided near the roof or slab in the building. The main purpose of the ventilation is to facilitate ventilation in the building. The shape and size of the ventilator is similar to the window sections. The shutter of the ventilator is pivoted and can be opened or closed. These shutters are side hung or top hung. They are also found as part of the door or window.

 Types of ventilators

1. Side hung

1. Bottom hung

1. Horizontally pivoted

1. Vertical pivoted

1. Top hung

1. Vertical sliding etc.

Fixing method

 According to material use, fixing of door and window frames are done simultaneously at the time of wall construction. Holdfasts of required numbers are nailed. Frame is carried to position and set with the help of ropes and poles. Frame is then put to plumb (frame should be perfectly vertical). Once the frame is set and leveled, the holdfasts are fixed in wall, cement, concrete etc. Final checking of plumb is done, if required corrections are applied.