By Lyuben Gergiev

Windows are believed to be eyes of the buildings, and a good or bad choice regarding selection of a specific type of window construction, can transform the entire character of the respective building. So, great care and understanding is needed for selection of any specific type of window. The most common and popular type of window nowadays is casement windows. The opening part of these windows is usually hinged vertically. Many forms and styling of casement windows are in use in various parts of the world, depending upon locality, date and status of the buildings. Historically, the casement window is immediate successor of stone mullioned windows, and traditionally, the timber casement window was the most popular type of window, till the second half of the eighteenth century. Subdivisions of glazing bars to make small panes of glass were a common pattern of these windows. Six paned casement windows with occasional elaboration by Gothic arches or smaller panes, was popular window design in mid-nineteenth century. However, after improvement in glass technology, number of panes was reduced to only two or one horizontal glazing bar.

Construction of timber casement windows was done with heavy oak frames those days. However, slimmer softwood version of casement windows replaced those heavy frames soon. In typical casement window construction, glazing rebate allowed glass to be fixed at the outside face of the window. It was secured in place with use of putty and sprigs. Sophistication was introduced by moulding the inner edge of the frame, where glass is adjoined. Before the availability of crown glass and cylinder sheets, small panes of Broad Sheet were fixed by using glazing bars. Industrial production of glass started producing much larger sheets, but with imperfections that can still be seen in poor quality glass, used in cottage casement windows.

Earliest casement window construction was done with oak which was often left unpainted. But nineteenth century softwood casement windows were never left like this, and were usually painted. Staining was not a usual finishing of windows at that time. White was the most common window colour, although it was not as bright and attractive as other colours used for the same purpose. A popular tradition in this regard, was painting of window frames with bright blues, greens, deep red or black, while opening lights of these windows were painted white. In this way, the delicacy of fine features of glazing bars was elaborated with colour contrast. Some estates in the Cotswold area even adopted particular shades like pale blue, cream, slate green and grey for easy maintenance. These estate colours are still in use today, and are a sign of local distinctiveness.

Historically, window construction was usually done on vertical surfaces of building walls, which allow maximum penetration of solar heat and light into buildings. To control the influx of heat and light, movable window coverings like blinds, curtains etc. were used whenever required. These window coverings are practical solutions to issues like excess heat and light as well as privacy. Recently, window coverings which are capable of controlling solar heat gain and glare are available in market. Many external and internal shading devices are also available, to enhance energy efficiency of windows.

About the Author: Velfac are offering customers with the best window construction (Do you know that the German term is

der beste Fensterbau

) there is. Interesting information for you could be the one about

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1657482&ca=Advice