General terms used in Doors and Windows:
Term Description
The fixed part of a door or window to which the door or window sash
Frame
is attached. Includes head, jambs, and sill.
Head The top horizontal member of a frame.
These are the horizontal projections of the head and sill of a frame to
Horn facilitate the fixing of the frame on the wall opening. The length of
horns is kept about 10 to 15 cm.
Jamb The vertical members on either side of the frame.
Sill The bottom horizontal member of a frame.
Shutter (or The movable part of a door or window which is fixed to the frame
Sash) using hinges, rollers, or pivots.
The part of a door or window shutter, filling the space between the
Panel
stiles and rails. Made of glass, wood, or other materials.
Stile The vertical outside members of a shutter or sash.
Rail The horizontal members of a shutter or sash.
The intermediate vertical members of a shutter or sash, dividing the
Muntin
space between stiles into panels.
A vertical member dividing a window or door frame into two or more
Mullion
parts.
A horizontal member separating a door from a window, or one window
Transom
from another set above it.
Glazing The process of fitting glass into windows and doors.
The bottom part of a doorway which you walk over when you enter a
Threshold
room or building.
A rectangular groove cut along the edge of a door or window frame to
Rebate
receive the shutter.
Architrave A moulded frame around a door or window opening.
A narrow vertical or horizontal member of a sash frame, dividing the
Sash Bar
glass into smaller panes.
Types of Doors
Type of Door Definition/Use
● Provided in public buildings where there are constant
1. Revolving visitors
Door ● These doors are suitable for air conditioning buildings
● Such doors provide entrance and exit together
● In these doors shutters slides on the sides with the help of
2. Sliding guide rails and runners.
Door ● The door may have one, two or three sliding shutter or
more depending upon the size of opening place available.
● Louvered doors provide free ventilation through them and
3. Louvered at the same time they provide privacy in the room.
door ● These doors are generally used in bathrooms
● Doors may be louvered to full height or partial.
● These doors can be used in residential as well as public
buildings
4. Glazed or
● Doors may be fully glazed or partially glazed and partially
Sash Door
paneled
● Ratio of glazed portion and panel portion is 2:1
● Almost used in all types of buildings
5. Frame and ● Consists of the framework of vertical members called
panel styles and horizontal members called rails.
● The panel is made from timber, plywood, and blockboard.
● These are used as main entrance doors of the residential
building, shops, godowns, etc.
● These are made of single or double shutters, depending
6. Collapsible
on the size of the opening. Does not require hinges for
door
opening and shutters for closing.
● Occupies less space and seeing through the door is
possible even if the door is closed
7. Swing ● Any entrance with two hinges that opens either inward or
Door outward is a swing door.
Types of Windows:
Type of
Description Features Use
Window
Hinged on the side and Good ventilation, easy
Casement Suitable for all
opens outward like a to clean, unobstructed
Window types of buildings.
door. views.
Type of
Description Features Use
Window
Often used in
Rotates on a central Controlled ventilation,
Pivoted modern and
pivot point, either suitable for larger
Windows commercial
horizontally or vertically. window areas.
buildings.
Operates by sliding one Space-saving, easy to Commonly used in
Sliding
sash horizontally past operate, low residential
Windows
another. maintenance. buildings.
Consists of horizontal Provides ventilation
Suitable for
Louvered slats that can be angled while maintaining
bathrooms and
Windows to control light and privacy, adjustable
kitchens.
airflow. slats.
Consists of one or more Traditional
Sash or Common in older
movable panels, or appearance, good
Glazed and traditional
"sashes," that hold panes ventilation with
Windows homes.
of glass. operable sashes.
Placed at the corner of a Maximizes natural Often used in
Corner
building, providing views light and views, unique modern
Windows
from two sides. architectural feature. architecture.
Adds light and space Common in attic
Dormer Protrudes from the slope
to attic rooms, conversions and
Windows of the roof.
enhances aesthetics. traditional designs.
Extends outward from Increases natural light, Popular in living
Bay Windows the main walls, creating adds space, rooms and dining
a small shelf or ledge. panoramic views. areas.
Brings natural light
Clerestorey Placed high on the wall, Common in large
deep into the interior,
Windows near the roofline. open-plan spaces.
maintains privacy.
A roof lantern is a Provides abundant
Sky Lantern Suitable for large,
daylighting architectural natural light, often
Windows open spaces.
element. used as a centerpiece.
Indian standard recommendations for the size of the opening size of the frame and the
size of window shutters are given below:
Size of the Size of the
Designation Size of Opening
Window frame window shutters
6 WS 12 600 x 1200 590 x 1190 560 x 110
10 WT 12 1000 x 1200 990 x1190 460 x 1100
12 WT 12 1200 x 1200 1190 x 1190 560 x 1100
6 WS 13 600 x 1300 590 x 1290 560 x 1200
10 WT 13 1000 x 1300 990 x 1290 460 x 1200
12 WT 13 1200 x 1300 1190 x 1290 560 x 1200
Indian standard recommends the size of the window frame should be derived after
allowing a margin of 5 mm all around an opening for convenience of fixing.
The width and height of an opening are indicated by a number of modules, where each
module is 100 mm.
A designation 6 WS 12 indicates a window opening with a single shutter having a width
equal to 6 modules.
It is 6 x 100 = 600 mm
And height equal to 12 modules
It is 12 X 100 = 1200 mm
The relationship of the width of the door and ‘H’ height of the door is
H = Width + 1.2 m
