Parts of a window explained (2023)

We know what a window is - it's a hole in a building that we can see in through, but we tend to call all parts of a window "the window," which can cause confusion when you're repairing your windows or need to decorate. So we thought we'd explain the terminology and give a clear explanation of the parts of a window.

parts of a window

The window frame and its parts consist of a head at the top, jambs at the side, and a sill or sill at the bottom, and if used, a dividing jamb called a jamb and a horizontal divider called a transom. See picture above.

The window frame consists of a top rail at the top, stiles on the sides, and a bottom rail at the bottom (no surprise there). See picture above.

A small open window at the top is called a vent light.

The parts of a window that actually open are called sashes.

If part of a window does not open, it is called a fixed light.

Window Parts Glossary

To expand a bit further on the different parts of a window, the following list explains all the common elements that make up the different window types:

• fall: A beam across the top of a window, usually made of wood, steel or concrete
• Quadro: it is usually wood, plastic or metal. It keeps the light in place and supports the window system. The following components are usually made of the same material as the frame.
• Kopf: The upper part of the frame, located under the lintel
• flap: The vertical parts that form the sides of the frame
• Crowd: A vertical partition between two window units or lights
• transom: A horizontal partition between two window units or lights
• threshold (or cell): The lower part of the window frame, usually angled and protruding above the wall line to allow rainwater to run off
• Luz: The area between the outer parts of a window, usually filled with a pane of glass. This is what we commonly refer to as the "window".
• Area: The frame that holds the glass
• wing: A window (or sash) that is attached to its frame with one or more hinges

window materials

Windows should be made of weather-resistant materials, with good insulating properties, strong and durable, safe and easy to clean.

In almost all cases, windows are made of one of the following materials:

• Madeira: hard or soft wood. Hardwood windows are generally more expensive to purchase, but will last longer and may require less maintenance. Both need to be painted or varnished to avoid damage from the elements
• Metal: Steel and aluminum windows can be framed with a thinner profile, giving you more glass and less frame. They can be more prone to condensation than wood windows. They still need to be varnished to protect them from the elements, but some factory processes keep maintenance to a minimum.
• PVC: Also called “plastic” or PVC windows. These windows are inexpensive and readily available. They offer excellent sound and heat insulation and are low-maintenance. Mainly supplied in white finish, some colored versions such as "rosewood effect" are available. They may not be appropriate for historic properties, especially if they are listed buildings.

energy saving properties

Windows can be double or triple glazed, including secondary double or triple glazing to improve energy efficiency.

As you might have guessed, double glazed windows or double glazed units consist of 2 panes of glass while triple glazed units consist of 3 panes of glass.

To further increase the energy efficiency of a double or triple glazed window, the air between the panes of the unit is often replaced with an inert gas such as argon (although krypton and xenon can also be used), which has a 30% lower thermal conductivity than traditional air , which makes the glazing even more efficient.

Modern glass technology can also save energy by storing heat, dissipating additional external heat and saving cleaning effort with self-cleaning technology.

Modern windows are often referred to as "energy-saving glazing". This is because they have coated low emissivity (often referred to as "Low-E") panels that help prevent heat escaping through them.

Different types of windows

Besides window components, there are also different names for windows that have different opening systems (or none at all), different properties, and even different positions in a given building.

Fixed light windows

A fixed light window is a window that cannot be opened. These can be placed where opening the window would be impractical or dangerous, such as B. Long windows in stairways, but where light is an advantage.

Some windows have fixed lights and opening stops.

sliding window

The glass is fitted into “wings” (movable panels) that slide vertically over each other. Usually both sashes slide, but some windows have a single hung sash, one fixed and the other movable.

This can make a first floor window safer, but impedes airflow and is not as efficient as double pane, where both panes move.

• english: One area is movable and the other is fixed
• double hanging strap: The frames are suspended on counterweights or with spring swings and consist of 2 frames that slightly overlap and slide up and down vertically within the frame
• horizontal track: Two wings that slightly overlap and slide horizontally on guide rails inside the frame

Sash windows are mostly used in historic properties and have traditionally been the window of choice, but they have the disadvantage that they tend not to be as energy efficient and can easily create drafts if not sealed and properly maintained.

If you have traditional casement windows that let in drafts,See our project for sealing sliding windows herefor advice on how to fix this problem

casement window

An opening window attached to the frame with hinges. These are now the most commonly manufactured windows in the UK as they are easier to maintain and more energy efficient than sash windows and more traditional stone mullion windows.

The name casement window derives from the part of the window that opens, called the casement.

They generally open outward, although some older window designs open inward.

Traditionally, casement windows were made of iron and glazed with small panes of glass, all held together byglass rods(or sprout, sprout or sprout, as they are also called).

The use of small panes and muntins was economical in most cases as glass in small panes was easier and cheaper to produce, but the aesthetic effect created by the muntins was also very attractive.

In most cases, the frames or moving parts of a casement window are secured using one of the following methods:

• hung window: The sash is hinged at the side and opens outwards
• hung window: The sash is hinged at the top and opens outwards. A small overhead slider is also known as a vent light (see above)
• hung window: The band is hinged at the bottom and pivots inward to open

Traditional casement windows also have a metal bar called a "stick" to hold them open, but modern casement windows use the actual hinge to prevent them from opening and closing on their own.

Most casement windows these days are typically made from PVC, but if you have wooden casement windows they need careful maintenance to ensure they don't deteriorate and decompose.To learn how to properly paint casement windows, check out our project here.

Tilt and rotate windows

Pivoting and pivoting windows have a mechanism that allows them to tilt inward from a ledge or open inward on one side.

Due to the stability of the mechanism, bottom-hung and side-hung windows can be larger than casement windows. They are also easy to clean from the inside and are therefore often used in apartments.

pivot window

Pivoting windows are hung on a hinge at the midpoints of each of the two opposite sides. This allows the window to rotate when opened.

Pivots can be vertical with hinges mounted at the top and bottom, or horizontal with hinges mounted at each end.

Bay window

These consist of multi-panel windows projecting from the outer wall line and supported by a low wall. They can be single or multi-story.

The nameBay windowIt derives from the French word for opening or area between two pillars, which is "baee".

The use, construction and use of bay windows goes back hundreds of years, to the Middle Ages.

They were commonly used for a number of reasons including their ornate appearance, the fact that they let a lot of light into a room, making it much larger and also allowing a much better view of the outside than a regular flat casement window.

folding windows or doors

Folding windows consist of several individual frames or panels that are hinged together. Despite the "bi-fold" name, they usually have more than 2 sheets or panels.

When opened, they fold side by side, allowing a large opening to, for example, a garden without the windows being visible.

Double folds appear in most modern homes and additions due to their "open" nature and are often thought of as a modern development, but they actually date back to Roman times!

As with bay windows, folding windows and doors let an enormous amount of light into a room, often making it appear much larger than it actually is, plus the added benefit that since they can essentially be removed, you can connect two rooms together, doesn't matter whether there are two interior spaces or one space and one exterior space.

Lamellenfenster

The Louvre's windows are made up of a series of parallel pieces of glass suspended from central spigots positioned at intervals beneath vertical frames, which open and close with a crank or lever. This is the same system as a blind.

A major disadvantage of windows with roller shutters is that they do not have very good insulating properties.

Claraboia, Velux or skylight

These are windows built into the ceiling. The "Velux" brand is associated with opening skylights in houses.

Skylights or Velux windows have traditionally been the first choice for anyone wanting to bring some natural daylight into an attic or roof or even into an existing extension or flat roof.

Despite the initial cost, skylights and skylights can help you save on your electricity bills because they bring natural light into a dark area and you don't have to use electric lights, certainly during the day.

As mentioned above, providing natural light instead of artificial light can also make a room appear much larger than it really is and look a lot nicer too!

Skylights, Velux windows and skylights are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs to suit every taste and requirement.

Mansardenfenster

Unlike a skylight (above), this is a window fitted into a small covered structure protruding from the main pitched roof of a building.

In most cases, a mansard is added to an existing roof to provide additional headroom and usable space, and also to allow for the installation of a standard vertical window.

A dormer window is often added to a loft conversion.

There are different types of mansards that can be built, the most common are:

• Sleep on your hip (sleep on your hip roof): The mansard roof consists of 3 sloping sections that converge at the ridge
• Dormer Gable (Dormer Dianteiro Gable): The ridge extends 90° from the existing ridge and the sides of the mansard extend down from it
• flat sleeper: The mansard is formed by a flat roof that protrudes from the existing roof. A gradual slope is also provided to allow rainwater drainage.
• Dormer Sheddach: Very similar in construction to the flat roof mansard above, but unlike a gradual slope, the roof slope matches the slope and slope of the existing roof. This allows for a lot more headroom inside.
• wall sleeper: Unlike the mansards which tend to detach from the existing ridge, the front of the mansard rises from the wall panel of the existing building and the roof of the mansard runs back to the existing roof

We hope this list will help you understand the different window types and window components, which should help you when planning any renovation or renovation project.

All project content written and produced byMike Edwards, founder of DIY Doctor and industry expert for building technology.