WINDOWS GENERAL
What is a double hung window?
A double hung window has two vertically moving sashes, controlled by spring balances, each opening and closing the top and the bottom sash.
What is an awning window?
An awning window is hinged at or near the top and swings out from the bottom to open. (They do not open as fully as casement windows and can be left open in the rain, but allow limited air circulation.)
What is a sliding window?
A sliding window has the opening sash sliding in a horizontal direction past the other fixed half.
What is a jamb?
Jambs are framing members used to support the window in a wall and are located at the sides.
What is a head?
The jamb that sits at the top of the frame.
What is a sill?
The framing member at the bottom.
What is a lite?
Lites (lights) are individual panes of glass within a window.
What is a mullion?
Mullions are vertical members between window units and are load bearing within the window.
What is a sash?
A sash is the operating / moving part of a window, inclusive of the glass and the surrounding pieces that hold it together. The sash fits into a frame that is tied into the surrounding wall and holds the sash into place. Other parts of the sash include stiles (the outside vertical members) and rails (the top and bottom horizontal members)
What is a Reveal?
A reveal is a timber member that is attached to the frame of a window or door which protudes from the frame to the internal lining of the wall and covers any wall cavity. Reveals come in different sizes dependant upon what the construction is of the dwelling. Generally, the table below will tell you the reveal size required for the construction of your project. This only a general guide line, and care should be taken to determine the correct reveal size for your individual requirements. All our reveals are pre primed pine.
| Construction type |
Reveal size |
| Blockwork/Concrete |
No reveal |
| 70mm Timber stud |
80mm |
| 90mm Timber stud |
100mm |
| 220mm brick veneer |
116mm |
| 240mm brick veneer |
138mm |
DOORS - GENERAL
What is a French door?
A French door consists of panes of glass separated by vertical and horizontal framing members. It opens and closes in the same fashion as other doors, swinging in a vertical plane. French doors are often used where the designer wants to physically define spaces while still providing a view.
What is a bi-fold door?
Bi-fold doors consist of two or more panels. In addition to being hinged at one side, the panels are hinged together. These doors are often desirable when there is a need to fold a door into as small a space as possible and create an illusion of opening up areas.
How does a door keep the outside elements from penetrating into the interior?
The door works in concert with weather stripping, the door frame, and the threshold to keep the elements at bay. Usually, the door itself has insulating value provided either by its mass, as in a solid door, or by insulating material fabricated into the core by its manufacturer. The weather stripping, doorframe and threshold prevent air penetration around the door.
What makes an external door different to an internal door?
An exterior door must also be finished to resist the elements. This requires that the wood be either sealed or covered with a weather resistant material. The exterior door must also be manufactured of materials that are weather resistant.