OPENING OF WINDOWS. THE 5 MOST POPULAR TYPES
When we go to choose windows for our house or work area, we usually think of the traditional casement design. But on certain occasions, this option is not the most appropriate, since depending on the project it can bring more inconveniences than solutions.
In this article, we are going to teach you everything you need to know when choosing a window, taking its type of opening as a reference. But before getting into the matter, let’s establish the concept of a window:
WHAT IS A WINDOW?
A window is an architectural element used in residential and commercial constructions, which serves to illuminate and ventilate the areas where they are installed. They are traditionally made of wood, aluminum, PVC and variants of these base materials. They have a simple installation process in which the window is inserted into an existing hole or opening in a wall and is fixed and sealed with special accessories for this task.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF WINDOWS
The classification of the windows can be done taking into account various factors. Some properties to take into account are: type of opening, thermal insulation, materials used, maximum dimensions, etc.
At the design and functionality level, the general classification of windows is as follows: fixed windows and those that allow some type of opening, either partial or total. The main difference is that the former only allow the passage of natural light, while the latter allow air to circulate inside.
In the case of windows that allow opening, there are characteristic types used in all types of projects, among which the following stand out:
TYPES OF OPENING OF WINDOWS
1- Opening of casement type windows
This is the traditional opening type. The window has hinges that are embedded in one of the sides of the fixed frame (on the left or right) and in this way the pivot of the leaf is obtained. The pivot occurs on a vertical axis and depending on the system, the opening can be towards the interior of the space or towards the exterior.
For this type of opening, the space available in the bay where the window is installed is the same as the opening available (discounting the width of the profiles).
2- Sliding window opening
Slide opening is very popular today. The system works in a simple way, the windows are enclosed in a frame with a rail that allows translational movement without the risk of going up or down. The movement occurs in the horizontal axis and is possible in both directions.
Unlike casement windows, in this case the opening available will be less than that of the opening. If the sliding window is 2 sheets, the maximum opening space will be 50%.
3- Swing type window opening
Swing opening windows are an interesting option for spaces where ventilation is required without the need to fully open the window. The opening is partial and occurs in the upper or lower horizontal axis, with angles less than 90°.
They are commonly used in commercial, industrial and academic buildings, where natural ventilation is necessary but total openness to the outside is not desirable.
4- Tilt-and-turn window opening
This type of opening is a combination of two types of openings. It offers the best of both options, since it allows total opening if necessary and at the same time partial opening with respect to the upper or lower horizontal axis of the frame. The choice of windows with this type of opening is limited to the project in progress and the budget.
5- Sash window opening
This type is a variant of the sliding opening. Guillotine windows make their movement of translation in the vertical axis, contrary to the sliding ones that make it horizontally.
OPENING OF COMBINED WINDOWS
Apart from the types of opening that we have just explained, we have the combination openings. In these cases, the previous ones are taken and mixed to obtain the characteristics of all together in a single assembly of windows. The end result is swing sliding windows, casement and sliding window assemblies and any combination that the profiles used and the final design allow.
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