Chapter 18Windows and Doors

Windows

From an English expression meaning ‘wind eye’

Window evolutionHoles skins/fabrics translucent membranes glass multiple layers of control Glazing, insulating airspace, low-E glass, insect

screens, weather-stripping, curtains, blinds, sash, etc.

Typically produced in a Factory efficiency, cost, quality

Windows

Prime Window – permanently installed

Storm Window – removable, auxiliary unit

Combination Window – incorporates bothMore common today

Permanent Prime Windows(fixed)

Types of WindowsFixed, single-hung, double-hung, sliding

Casement, awning, hopper

Types of Windows

Skylight, roof window

Terrace door, French door, sliding door

Double-Hung

Fixed

Top-Hinged

Top-HingedSide-Hinged

Window Frames

WoodAdvantages:

Good thermal insulator Easily worked

Disadvantages Shrinks & swells, subject to decay Requires frequent repainting (maintenance)

Commonly: Wood composites used, with an Exterior cladding of plastic or aluminum

Window Frames

AluminumAdvantages:

Relatively inexpensive Requires no repainting

Disadvantages: Thermal conductor – requires a thermal break

Uses & Finishes: Common in commercial & institutional Usually anodized or permanently coated

Window Frames

Plastic (relatively new, but wide use – 40%)Advantages:

Low cost - 1/3 less than wood or clad wood Good thermal insulators Require no repainting

Disadvantages: Not stiff Very high coefficients of thermal expansion

Most common – polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Window Frames

SteelAdvantages:

Strength Acceptable thermal insulators

Disadvantages: Require permanent coating

Muntins

“thin wooden bars into which the glass in mounted within each sash”

Glazing

Single GlazingAcceptable only in mild climates

Double GlazingGenerally the minimum required by code (or

single with storm)

Triple Glazing (somewhat rare)Double glazing with Low-E glass has equal

performance

Double Glazed

Safety Considerations

Break-resistant materialRequired for glass in doors, large lights near

the floor, and glass doorsGenerally tempered glass utilized

Fire EscapeWindow openings large enough to escape

typically required in each bedroom.

Casement and Awning Windows Avoid adjacent to poaches or walkways

Window Testing & Standards

Thermal and structural performance

Performance Grades established coveringWind pressureWater resistanceStructural performanceAir infiltrationOperating forceEnergy efficiency (insulating value, solar heat gain,

visible light, air leakage)

Window Installation

Rough Opening“the rough opening height and width for the

hole left in a framed wall to permit installation of the window”

Slightly larger than than the window outside dimensions

Flashing (prevent water and air infiltration)

Install, plumb, fasten

Doors

Categories

Interior Fire resistance & sound

transmission important

Exterior Weather Resistance most

important

Types of Doors

Types of Doors

Panel DoorsGlass & Louvered

Glass & Wood EntrancePanel Door

Louvered DoorGlass French Doors

Types of Doors

Core of aHollow CoreMetal Door

Metal Facing

Hollow Metal Frame Anchorage

Hinges

Door Opening

Swinging Bifold Accordian

Door Opening

PocketSliding

BypassSliding

SurfaceSliding

Door Opening

Overhead Coiling

Locksets & Strikes

Deadbolt

LocksetStrike

Deadbolt

Lockset

Strike

Wood Doors

Stile and Rail DoorsPanels float in stile & rail Accommodate expansion &

contractionPopular in higher quality

buildings

Flush DoorsMajority of the market (< $)Cores: Solid or Hollow

Rail

Sti

le

Sti

le

Door ‘Cores’

Solid Core Door•Wood Blocks•Wood Composite•Mineral (fire doors)

Hollow Core Door•Veneered faces w/•Interior grid

Paperboard orWood

Entrance Doors

Subjected to the ElementsWell constructed (wood, metal, or plastic)Weatherstripped (prevent air & water leakage)

Sheet Metal & Molded GFRPPopular alternative to woodOften constructed to simulate woodCores filled with plastic foam (superior

thermal performance)

Prehung Doors

“doors already mounted on hinges in a frame, complete with weatherstripping (if needed), ready to install by merely nailing the frame into the wall.”

Both interior & exterior doors

Quicker, less costly to install

Steel Flush Doors

Painted sheet metal faces

Common in nonresidential

Solid or hollow core

Typical Solid Core uses:Exterior doorsNeed for increased Fire resistance More rugged construction neededBetter acoustical properties needed

Flush Steel Doors

Fire Doors

Rated for fire resistance

Uses:Exit stairways, between rooms & exit

corridors, within exit corridors, fire walls, etc.

Labeled

Fire Door Criteria

Fire Doors must: Must swing in the direction of egress travelMust be self-closingMust be equipped with hardware that opens the

door if people press against the door in the direction of egress travel

Restrictions: Amount of glass by the fire classification Size of louvers

Frames must be rated