How are the windows made? What elements characterize a window? Let's discover the main parts of the window system by comparing them to the human body.
Understanding how this architectural element is created can help you choose
which window to buy for your home. Furthermore, being more aware of how the objects that surround us are made every day can certainly make us all
more aware and attentive people .
So have you wondered what are the elements that commonly make up a window? We at
Windowo have been in the business of selling window accessories online for years and have developed a good experience in terms of windows. For this we want to give you a simple but comprehensive answer. In this article we will therefore go to see
how the window system is made .
Why is it called a "window system"?
The window is made up of different parts, all in mutual influence. So making a good window means
achieving a balance . The quality of each single element is not enough: these parts must work perfectly together and play a team game.
What are the parts that make up the window system?
We all know that windows are a fundamental element of the building envelope as they allow the passage of air, light and visibility between the inside and outside of a building. At first glance, windows may seem easy to make, but in reality they are the result of years of experience of great master builders. Today there are different types of windows, suitable for as many needs, but they all have some elements in common that we will now analyze.
There
are six parts of the window system : the frame, the sashes, the hardware and glass, the blinds and the installation. For simplicity we can compare them to different parts of
the human body .
The frame represents the "bones" of the window system
The
frame is the frame of the window and, for simplicity, we compare it to the "skeleton". It consists of a fixed part, called
a fixed frame , which supports the entire window structure and a mobile part, called
a mobile frame , which supports the sashes. In Italy, the frame is normally installed by binding it to a fixed structure, called counterframe, directly fixed to the masonry and consisting of wooden or metal profiles (in steel or aluminum). In the case of replacement of the windows, proceed with the assembly of the new frame on top of the pre-existing one which plays the role of
subframe or subframe .
The counter frame is a typical element widely used in Italian windows, but it is almost completely unknown in other countries. Also called a false frame, top work, mad house or casket, we can define it as the connecting element between the masonry and the frame.
Did you know that on Windowo it is possible to buy many types of
false frames with customized measures and characteristics online ?
A certain space is then left between the subframe and the fixed frame, defined as
clearance , to absorb manufacturing tolerances and to make the small adjustments that allow the verticality of the window system.
The shutters or hinges like the "arms" of the windows
The
sashes , also called
hinged , are the opening parts of the window system. The doors allow you to close the opening inside the frame and allow the passage of light and the exchange of air inside the building. The doors are fixed to the frame by
hinges , which also perform the function of releasing the weight of the doors and the glass on the structure.
Along the outer perimeter of the doors there are
sealing gaskets , which allow the hermetic closure of the doors. The elasticity of the gaskets is an important element that must allow a perfect efficiency of the window system.
The hardware is the "muscle" that moves the window
With the term
hardware for windows we refer to all the elements that allow the assembly, movement and maneuvering of our window or door. The hardware is an element of substantial importance for the window and it is necessary to rely on experts, such as those you find on Windowo, who can evaluate both the quality and the availability of spare parts. If you have special needs in this regard, we recommend that you contact us.
The hardware is subject to continuous evolution over time, in particular as regards
anti-burglary systems whose goal is to make a window much more difficult to open by the bad guys.
Within our shop we have a large category dedicated to
hardware . If you are looking for a component for a frame, Windowo is certainly the right place.
The gaskets deserve a special mention, an element too often underestimated. If we want (with a little imagination) we can consider them as the "veins and arteries" of our window. They allow the hermetic closure of the frame, make it impermeable to water, prevent the entry of drafts, eliminate heat loss and reduce noise.
If you are looking for the best
window seals you can find them for sale online in the Windowo shop.
Window panes are the "heart" of the window system
The
windows of the windows are placed inside the doors and are blocked by a profile called
glazing bead .
There are different types of glass, and you can prefer one type over the other in relation to the location of the building and individual windows. The best known are: double glazing, double or triple glazing, absorbent glass, selective glass, low-emission glass, reflective glass, sound-absorbing glass and armored glass. For each of these types there are many variations ...
The blinds are the "skin" that protects and completes
Blinds , also called screens, are essential elements in a window and, while not part of it, complete its functionality. The blinds can have various shapes depending on their functions and position with respect to the window.
The "brain" is the pose of the window
Why do we at Windowo consider the pose as the brain of the window system? Because the window is useless if it is not installed correctly. In fact, without a
qualified installation there is no well-being inside the home. For example, we can buy a frame with three gaskets ... but it is of little use if we don't even insert one correctly in place! And if a window allows air, humidity and noise to pass through, there cannot be any kind of comfort. For this reason, correct installation is the essential condition for a well thought out window system.
How can we understand if the installation is done correctly? This is probably the most difficult element to assess. If those who do the work answer you that they follow the
PosaClima guidelines, we are already on the right track. But the only way to be 100% sure would be to try the
Blower-Door Test . This method allows to discover the “air leaks” of the building envelope and to evaluate the flow (or rate) of air exchange. Obviously low values (lower air infiltrations) are preferable. Unfortunately it is not easy to do this and therefore it is not possible to request it for every window. This is why we recommend that you rely on window fabricators known in your area for their serious work over the years. Relying on strangers to save money on installation can be very risky.
How are the windows made? Final conclusions
We of the Windowo team hope that this article dedicated to
how windows are made may have been useful to you. If you are looking for help for doors and windows you can
contact us . We are at your complete disposal.
In this guide we have compared every common component of the window to a part of the human body. This comparison was useful for us to go deeper into the different aspects that characterize each part of
the window system . Thanks to this we have understood that all the elements that make up a window or door are connected to each other and have a meaning only if they collaborate adequately with each other.
"
Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, but being able to work together is success. " (Henry Ford)
