A window may be defined as an opening made in a wall for the purpose of providing day light, vision and

ventilation. The construction of window is identical to that of the door. Window consists of a window
frame and shutter. The frame consists of two vertical members called JAMBS ,one flat member
connecting the jamb sat the top, known as head and another flat member connecting the Jambs at their
feet known as SILL, the shutter can be fully glazed ,paneled and glazed or paneled type.

Windows are normally provided with two leaves. The selection of the size , shape, location , and the
member of windows to be provided in the room depends upon the following consideration –

1. Size of the room to be lighted.

2. Location of the room and its utility.

3. Direction of wind and its speed.

4. Climatic consideration of the site such as humidity, temperature variations etc.

The size and hence the number of windows thus be worked out, once total area required for the
window opening is known.

(a) Total area of window opening should normally vary from 10% to 20% of the floor area of the room. In
hot and arid regions it could be 10-15% of the floor area, When the building is be located in hot and
humid regions, the area of window opening should vary between 15-20% of the floor area.

(b) In case of public buildings like schools, offices, factories, hospitals, etc. the minimum area of window
should be 20% of the floor area.

(c) For adequate natural light, the total area of glass panels in window should be at least 8%of the floor
area.
 DESIGN OF WINDOWS

The points to be kept in view while making provision for windows in a room are-

1. The size and number of windows should be sufficient to provide adequate light and ventilation in the
room.

2. Windows should be located opposite to each other wherever possible ; windows provided on the
northern side permit maximum day light without glare.

3. The window sill should be placed at75-100 cms above the floor level. This is considered reasonable
height for the inmates to have a convenient to look outside. In case of bathroom and W.C other
situations where privacy is desired , window sill should be kept at 175m above the floor level. The top of
windows and doors should however be at the same height.

4. Buildings in humid regions need special attention for adequate ventilation of the room. The area of
window opening in humid region should be maximum and the window should be so located as the
permit maximum ventilation of the apartment.

5. The shutter of window is external walls should open outside . This checks entry of rainwater inside the
room.

6. All external windows, specially the ones on the ground floor, should be provided with mild steel ,
round or square bars or steel grills to safe guard against theft.

7. Windows in the external wall should be provided with chajja protection to prevent the entry of the
rainwater in the room. Similarly it is desirable to slope the window sill towards the external face of wall.
The sill should preferably be weathered and throated to throw the rain-water off the face of wall.
 CLASSIFICATION OF WINDOWS

Depending upon the type of material used, nature of operational movements of the shutters , location

and the manner in which they are fixed, windows can be broadly classified as under –

1. Fixed Windows

2. Pivoted Windows

3. Double hung Windows

4. Sliding Windows

5. Casement Windows

6. Sash or glazed Windows

7. Louvered or venetian Windows

8. Metal Windows

9. Bay Windows

10. Clerestory Windows

11. Corner Windows

12. Downer Windows

13. Gable Windows

14. Sky Lights

15. Fan Lights

16. Ventilators

Fixed Windows

In the type of window the glass pane to the glazed shutter is permanently fixed in the opening in the
wall.

This type of window is used in situations where the light or vision alone is needed as no ventilation is
possible through fixed windows.
Pivoted Windows

In this type of window the shutter is capable of rotating about a pivot fixed to window frame, The
window frame has no rebate , The shutter can rotate horizontally or vertically depending upon the
position of pivot.

Double Hung Windows

This type of window consists of a pair of the shutters arranged one above the other which can slide
vertically within the grooves provided in the frame. A pair of metal weights connected by the cord or
chaib passing over pulleys is provided for each shutter.

Sliding Window

In this type of window , the shutter move on roller bearing and slide either horizontally or vertically.

Casement Windows

Windows where shutter open bloke door basement windows are called casement windows. Similar to
doors, this type of window has frame and shutter composes stiles, top rails , bottom rails , verticals and
horizontal sash with glass panes.

Sash or Glazed Windows

In this case the window shutter consists of two vertical stiles, top rails a bottom rail. The panel space
between the stiles and the rails is suitably divided by the small timber members . The panel space
between the stiles and the rails is suitably divided by the small timber members or bars placed both
horizontally and vertically or only horizontally to suit the design requirement These bars are known as
sash bars or glazing bars. Thus the sash bar divide the total panel space window shutter into panels of
small size.

Louvered Windows or ventilated Window

The louvers are set within the grooves in inclined position so that they slope downward to the outside
Torun off the rain water and abstract the horizontal vision at the same time,

Metal Windows

Use of metal windows is getting increasingly popular these days , Windows made of metals like mild Tee
l, gal vanished mild steel , aluminum , bronze , stainless steel etc. are recommended especially forthe
public buildings like offices, hospitals, schools, etc.
Bay Windows

A window projecting outward from the walls of a room is termed as a bay window. Bay window may be
square, rectangular or polygon in plan and it is introduced with a view to provide an increased are of
opening for admittance of light and ventilation.

Clare Story Window

This type of window is used to achieve better ventilation and cooling effect in the living or main rooms
of a building which have ceiling height greater than the surrounding rooms. Clare story windows are
provided near the top of the roof of the main rooms and they open out above a lean-to-roof or the roof
slab of the adjoining veranda.

Corner Window

As the name suggest this type of window is essentially located in the corner of the room. By use of this
window it is possible to ensure light and ventilation from two directions at right angles. In the addition it
serves as an architectural features for improving the elevation of the building .

Dormer Window

It is a vertical window built in the sloping side of the pitched roof. This window is provided to achieve
proper ventilation and lighting of the enclosed space below the proof. Dormer window also serves as an
architectural featured to the building.

Gable Window

The window provided in the gable end of the pitched roof is known as gable window .

Sky Window

This is a type of fixed window provided on the sloping surface of a pitched roof, the window being
parallel to the sloping surface. The sky light is providing with a view to permit the room below to be fully
lighted with natural light, The opening for the sky light is made by cutting the common rafter suitably.

Fan Window

The function of fan light is to ensure cross ventilation in the room even when the door is closed. It also
assists in providing natural light in the corridors or passages, Fan light is fitted between the head of the
door frame and the transom. The shutter of the fan light may be pivoted at the centre or it may be top
hung.
Ventilator

A Ventilator may be defined as a narrow window of small height provided near the roof of a room for
providing ventilation in the room. The construction of ventilator is similar to that of fan light. The shutter
of the ventilator is horizontally pivoted and can be opened or closed by the use of two chords, one
attached to its top rail and or to the bottom rail.