Doors, Windows, and Glass

Major TopicsDoorsWindowsHardwareGlassCurtain Wall

DoorsBroad classification as exterior or interiorWood, metal, plastic, glass, or a combination of these materials are used to manufacture doorsConsiderations for selection of door include:Fire resistanceCostProtection/PrivacyEsthetics/Architectural Style

Terms Associated with DoorsDoor Frames:Jamb sides piecesHead overhead pieceSill on exterior doors (covered by threshold)Door Stop- strip against which door closesPanel Doors:Stiles vertical membersRails horizontal membersMuntins may be vertical or horizontal; divide door into panelsRight-Hand or Left-Hand used to describe swinging doors- depends on which side is hinged

Types of Fire DoorsComposite wood, steel, or plastic sheets bonded to and supported by a solid core materialHollow Metal flush or panel design consisting with no less than 20 gauge steel faceMetal Clad flush or panel design consisting of metal-covered wood cores and insulated panels covered with steel of 24 gauge or lighterSheet Metal 22 gauge or lighter steel of corrugated, flush sheet, or panel designTin-Clad wood core with a terne plate or galvanized steel facing ( 30 or 24 gauge)Wood wood, hardboard, or plastic face sheets bonded to a wood block core material with untreated wood edges

Metal DoorsMost hollow core metal doors are made of carbon steelMost are filled with standard fireproof, rot proof, and sound-deadening materialInsulated doors are filled with glass fiber or plastic foam insulation [R-values range from 8-15]Grades range from 1: standard; 2: heavy duty; 3: extra heavy duty [grades used depends on type of building and locations in building]

Wood DoorsKiln-dried wood, moisture content 6-12 %Type 1 ---fully waterproof bond (ext. or int.)Type 2 --- water resistant bond, interior onlyMay be solid or hollow core (S.C. or H.C.)Fire ratings range from 20 minutes to 1-1/2 hour for S.C. wood doorsTypical thickness: 1-3/8 (int.) 1-3/8 or 1-3/4 (ext.)Standard single unit sizes range from 1 to 3 width; 6-8 to 8 height [doesnt include sliding or patio door styles which are much wider]

Types of Wood DoorsFlush hollow or solid core with wood veneers, hardboard or plastic laminatesPanel assembled from stiles and railsSash similar to panel door except that one or more panel is replaced with glassLouver composed of stile and rail frame with integral louversAccordion folding narrow wood strips 31/2 to 5 wide with fabric, plastic or metal hinges

Door OperationSwinging hinged on one side or may have pivot hardware to allow for swinging in both directionsSliding overhead tracks with rollers (Pocket doors - slide into wall cavity)Folding hung on overhead tracks with rollers; may be bi- or multi- fold in nature

Weather StrippingApplied to door frames to prevent air leakageCommon types include:Foam rubberFeltRolled vinylSpring metal (V-strip)Interlocking metal

Door Hardware -- LocksMay be either standard, handicapped access, automatic, or security type.Lock types:Key-in-knobKey-in-leverMortiseInterconnectedAuxiliary (dead bolts)Security (electromagnetic)Padlock

Door Hardware --HingesThere are many types of hinges available but common ones include: butt, piano (invisible), offset, spring, pivot, and decorative.Materials from which hinges are made include: coated steel, polished plated steel, chromium-plated metals, brass, bronze, and aluminum.Placement and number required varies according to door material and size: All exterior or S.C. interior door >7 in height should be hung with at least 3 hinges.Interior H.C. doors < 7 in height need only 2 hinges

Special DoorsRevolving prevent passage of cold and warm air and noise while always being open/closedTypical materials include stainless steel, aluminum, and copper alloys.Most doors are 6 - 8 feet in diameter, but may be larger for special applications (Nursing homes)

WindowsRelated terms include: rail, stile, sill, sash, panes or lights (glass), muntin (divides the lights), mullionCommon materials include: aluminum, steel (including stainless), wood, or clad materials [Styrofoam core with wood cladding]Wide range of sizes from 2 to 10 not including custom orders

Window Types[page 248; figure 8-16]FixedSingle or Double HungAwningSlidingCasementPivotedJalousie

Window Hardware - LocksSome basic types of locking devices for windows include:Friction type includes a pin which screws into a receptaclePin type a keyed device; bolt slips into a hole drilled into the upper frameWedge type spreads upper and lower sash apartStop type uses a knob or other protrusion to prevent window from opening very farKey operated cam latch may be a fire hazard; works similar to a pin type

GlassThe term glazing refers to the installation of vision panels or glass or plastic in a door, formed frame, window, packaged entrance, storefront, or glazed curtain wall.Glass has been made artificially for more than 4500 yearsRomans 1st known window glassGermany 11th century glass hand-blown in spheresFrance 14th century Crown glass produced by blowing and twirling

GlassGlass is produced from 3 major ingredients:Sand (silica) ~70%Soda (sodium oxide) ~12%Lime (calcium oxide) ~13%About 50 other chemicals may be added to change the following properties:ColorViscosityDurabilityDesired physical property

Basic Types of Clear GlassWindow or Sheet:Manufactured by a horizontal flat or vertical draw processFloat:Manufactured by floating molten glass on a surface of molten tin, then annealing slowly to produce a transparent flat glass. This eliminates grinding and polishing (most glass in US produced using this method ~ 90%)Plate:Transparent flat glass is ground and polished after rolling.

Variations of Basic Glass TypesPatterned rolled or figured glass run through rollers which are etched to produce a design on one sideWire embedded welded square or diamond wireCathedral art glass, stained glass; usually 1/8 thick, in many colors, textures, and patternsObscure one or both surfaces of glass are sandblasted or acid etched (weakens glass)Heat-absorbing or TintedInsulating high thermal resistance; fuse 2 pieces of glass together with space filled with a dry gas (often Argon)

Variations contReflective care must be taken to avoid scratchingHeat-Strengthened greatly increased mechanical strength and resistance to thermal stresses; 2 times as strong as annealed glassTempered 4-5 times as strong as annealed; when brokenforms small cubed fragments which are much safer than annealed glassLaminated (Safety) tough, clear plastic polyvinyl butyral sheet (interlayer) is sandwiched between plies of other glass. When it breaks the particles adhere to the plastic filmSecurity a plastic film of a min. of 0.06 in. thick in 3 to 5 plies of glass (overall thickness to 3)

Curtain WallA building wall that does not carry any roof or floor loadTypically located above the first level of a structure (unlike storefront)Consists mainly of metal, glass, and other surfacing material supported in a metal framework