WINDOWS

MR. BYRNE
 FENESTRATION
THE OPENINGS IN A BUILDING'S FACADE
FUNCTIONS OF A WINDOW

• Let light in.

• Ventilation.
• Preventing excessive heat loss
• Acoustic insulation.
• Preventing glare and solar gain.
• Security.
• Emergency escape.
• Durability.
 LETTING LIGHT IN
• The window area of a room must be 10%
of floor space.
• In high use rooms large windows are
usually in installed such as kitchens and
dining rooms.
• In contrast bedrooms will have smaller
windows installed.
 VENTILATION.

• Two main types of ventilation in every habitable room*

*A habitable room is used for living or sleeping and has a minimum size of 6.5m sq.
Purge Ventilation/Rapid Ventilation: Provided by windows
openings. 5% on floor space must be openable windows.

Background Ventiliation: Constant ventilation provided by vents

built into external wall.
PREVENTING EXCESSIVE HEAT LOSS

• 20% of total heat loss can be through

windows.
• Thermal bridging in windows is reduced
through additional panels of glazing,
double/triple.
• Gas can fill the void to reduce heat
transmission.
• Window frame materials also have an
effect on the conduction of heat.
 PREVENTING GLARE AND SOLAR GAIN

• The orientation and size of the

windows should be considered during
the design stage of the building.
• South facing windows will optimise
solar gain.
• Glare can cause visual discomfort.
This can be prevented using blinds or
other such methods.
TYPES OF WINDOWS USED IN DWELLINGS
CASEMENT WINDOWS

• Window opens within a frame.

• Most common in modern houses.
• Casements are lined with rubber or PVC
strips/seals.
PIVOT AND SLIDING SASH WINDOWS
MAIN TYPES OF WINDOWS IN IRELAND
 CLASSWORK

• Using the book, write a brief description of each functions discussed.

Let light in, Ventilation, Preventing excessive heat loss, Acoustic insulation, Preventing glare and
solar gain, Security, Emergency escape, Durability.

• Sketch the three main types of windows common in Ireland, giving a brief description of
each.
Casement window, Pivot window, Sliding sash window.

Homework: Q 1,2,3,5,6 chapter 15

WINDOW CILL DETAIL