Types of Windows

There are various types of windows used in the construction of houses, buildings, offices, etc.

A window is defined as a vented barrier secured in a wall opening to serve one or more of the functions, i.e. natural light, natural ventilation, and vision.

The windows provide spaces with natural light, also give more information to the outside world, time, weather, surroundings, etc.

Function of various types of windows:

• To admit natural light & air in the building.
• Also, to give a view of the outside.
• The window provides insulation against heat loss and sound.
• Some windows also give resistance to fire.

Different types of windows in civil engineering:

1.Paneled windows:

This paneled window has a structure of vertical members called style and horizontal members are called rails that are grounded along the inner edges of the frame from which panels are obtained.

The panels are made of wood, plywood, block boards, and glasses and windows may be fully paneled, partially paneled, partially glazed, or fully glazed.

Glazed windows are usually provided where additional light is required to enter the room through the windows or where visibility in the interior of the room from the adjacent room is required.

2.Fixed Windows:

Fixed windows are offered for the purpose of admitting light and offering vision within the room.

The window consists of a window frame to which shutters are fastened and no rebates are provided to the frame, while the shutters are totally glazed.

These are common types of windows usually provided in buildings, the construction of the casement window is similar to the door.

The window has a frame that is rebated to receive the shutters consists of styles, top rails, backside rails, and intermediate rails, thus dividing it into panels.

The panels might both be glazed or unglazed, partly glazed and partly unglazed.

It should be noted than the side-hinged opening part of window consisting of glass planes or panels known as easement and windows made of these parts are called casement windows.

3.Double bung windows:

The pair of shutters are arranged on top of each other which can slide vertically within the provided grooves.

Also, pair of metal weights is provided for each shutter attached to a cord or chain above a shutter, this windows can be used to control ventilation.

4.Sliding windows:

In this sliding window, shutters run on roller bearings and they can slide horizontally or vertically.

These types windows are provided in trains, buses, ships and bank counters.

5.Pivoted windows:

The shutter is pivoted to a window frame which rotates vertically or horizontally.

6.Louvred windows:

These windows are provided for ventilation which does not allow any external vision, the shutter consists of a top and bottom rail which are embossed to receive the lowers.

Lowers for runway rainwater are usually fixed on a 45° slope downward on the outer side, while occasionally Venetian shutters are provided in which the louvre can be opened or closed known as the Venetian blind.

These windows are provided in WC and bathrooms.

7.Metal windows:

The metal window is made of mild steel as they are popular in private and public buildings due to their high durability, strength, lower cost, and better looking.

However, these types of windows fabricated from different metals such as aluminum, bronze, stainless steel are also used for buildings where an excessive degree of magnificence finishing is required.

Aluminum windows are also popular for domestic building as they are corrosion resistant, durable, require less maintenance and painting.

 In modern practice, steel windows are used extensively because they are the cheapest.

Mild steel sections used to manufacture metal windows are manufactured in a wide range of standard sizes.

The commonly used sections are angle section, Z section, T section, and channel section, while the metal frame can be fixed directly to the wall or it can be fixed to a wooden frame.

8.Bay windows types:

This bay window is to be provided for obtaining light and ventilation from two adjoining sides, while these windows project outside of the external walls of a room.

9.Corner windows:

Corner window provided in the corner of a room holds two faces in two vertical directions.

Due to this, light and air are recruited from two directions.

10.Dormer windows types:

The dormer window provided on the sloping roof for the airflow and lighting to the enclosed house under the roof.

11.Gable windows:

The gable window provided within the gable finish pitched roof.

12.Skylight windows types:

This skylight window is usually placed on a sloping roof to get light inside the house as they are projected above the top sloping surface and runs parallel to the sloping surface.

In such a window, the common rafters are trimmed and the skylight is mounted on a curb frame, the area around this window is waterproofed by lead flashing.

13.Circular windows:

Circular window have a circular shape, they are either fixed in the wall or pivoted on the central axis, it can be opened and closed with the help of two wires.

These types of windows are commonly used in elevated ceilings, factories, barracks, bungalows, roof ceilings for light and air penetration.

The circular pivot windows are fully reversible which makes it easier to clean from inside when it is in a completely reversed position.

14.Mosquito proof windows:

In a mosquito window, a wire gauge or wire net is fixed to the exterior of the window and the main shutter of the window is opened inside.

The main shutters of the window are fixed with the help of parliamentary hinges and this shutter opening is against the wall therefore there is no obstruction due to the parliamentary hinges.

Since these windows are fixed with wire-gauze or wire mesh called wire-mesh windows.

15.Curtain wall windows:

A curtain wall window is a modern and advanced window in which the outside walls are non-structural, however only preserve out the climate.

Hence a non-load bearing exterior wall is called as curtain wall and the window provided with different materials in the curtain wall is known as curtain wall window.

Depending upon the field installation methods, the curtain wall windows are classified as

1. Stick system: Window walls are installed piece by piece.
2. Mullion and panel system: Curtain window wall in which vertical members called mullions are first erected, then wall units usually incorporating unglazed windows.
3. Panel systems: It consists of horizontal and vertical members.

Also read: Components of Building, Types of Structures & Parts of a door

Conclusion- TYPES OF WINDOWS:

There are various types of windows, each of them operates in slightly different ways.

All windows bring light and air inside the house but beyond basic functions, there is a lot to consider while deciding the suitable window.