doors, windows and stairs

8/18/2019 doors, windows and stairs

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Building Materials and Construction

6. DOORS, WINDOWS AND STAIRS

Doors and Windows

A door may be defined as a framework of wood, steel, aluminum, glass or a combination of thesematerials secured in an opening left in a wall for the purposes of providing access to the users.

The function of a door is to give access to building and to different parts of the building and to

deny the access whenever necessary. Number of doors should be minimum possible. The size of

the door should be of such dimension as will facilitate the movement of the largest object likely

to use the doors.

A window may be defined as an opening made in a wall for the purpose of providing day light,

vision and ventilation. Windows must also provide insulation against heat loss, and in some

cases, against sound. The construction of window is identical to that of door. Window consists of

a window frame and shutter.

Location of doors and windows

. The number of doors in a room should be kept minimum.

!. "oors should preferably be placed in the corner of the room.

#. $f there are two doors in a room, the doors should preferably be located in opposite walls.

%. The size and number of windows should be decided after due consideration to

distribution of light, ventilation and privacy of the occupants.

&. The location of a window should also meet the functional re'uirements of the room, such

as interior decoration, arrangement of furniture, etc.

(. The windows should be located opposite to each other as far as possible.). The windows should be located in the prevalent wind direction.

*. The window+s sill should be located about ) to * cm above the floor level of the room.

Size of doors and windows

The size of door depends on the re'uirement of the room and its size. $n general, the size of door

should be such that it would allow the free movement of the large object or tallest person likely

to use the door. The height of the door should not be less than .* m in any case. The width of the

door would be .% to .( times the height of the door.

The following sizes of doors are normally adopted for various types of buildings-

Residential Buildings

$nternal doors- . m / !. m W0 and bathrooms- .)& m / !. m

12ternal doors- . m / !. m 3arages- !.& m / !.!& m

u!lic Buildings

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.! m / !. m

.! m / !.!& m

The size of windows would be governed by the total area of window space needed. Thefollowing criteria should be kept in mind while designing the windows-

. Width of window- 4* 5width of room 6 height of room7

!. There should be one s'uare metre of window space for every # to % m# of inside

content of the room.

#. The area of windows opening should be at least &8 of the floor area of the room.

Tec"nical ter#s

9igs. and ! show respectively a door and a window. The following are the technical terms

applied to doors and windows-

. $ra#e% $t is an assembly of horizontal and vertical members, forming an enclosure, towhich the shutters are fi2ed.

!. S"utters% These are the openable parts of a door or window. $t is an assembly of styles,

panels and rails.#. &ead% This is the top or uppermost horizontal part of a frame.

%. Sill% This is the lowermost or bottom horizontal part of a window frame. :ills are

normally not provided in door frames.

&. &orn% These are the horizontal projections of the head and sill of a frame to facilitate the

fi2ing of the frame on the wall opening. The length of horns is kept about to & cm.

(. St'le% :tyle is the vertical outside member of the shutter of a door or window.

). To( rail% This is the top most horizontal member of a shutter.

*. Loc) rail% This is the middle horizontal member of a door shutter, to which locking

arrangement is fi2ed.. Botto# rail% This is the lowermost horizontal member of a shutter.

. Inter#ediate or cross*rails% These are additional horizontal rails, fi2ed between the top

and bottom rails of a shutter. A rail fi2ed between the top rail and lock rail is called frieze

rail.. anel% This is the area of shutter enclosed between the adjacent rails.

!. +ullion% This is a vertical member of a frame, which is employed to sub;divide a

window or a door vertically.

#. Transo#% This is a horizontal member of a frame, which is employed to sub;divide a

window opening horizontally.%. &old fasts% These are mild steel flats 5section #mm / (mm7, generally bent into


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&. a#!% This is the vertical wall face of an opening which supports the frame.

(. Re-eal% $t is the e2ternal jamb of a door or window opening at right angles to the wall

face.). Re!ate% $t is depression or recess made inside the door frame, to receive the door shutter.

T'(es of Doors

=arious types of doors are in use which may be classified on the basis of arrangement of shutters,

method of constructions, principles of working operations and materials used. 0ommonly used

doors are briefly e2plained below-

. Battened and Ledged Doors% >attens are mm to & mm wide and ! mm thick

wooden boards. Their length is that of door opening. The battens are connected by horizontal

planks, known as ledges of size to ! mm wide and # mm thick. ?sually three ledges

are used one at top, one at bottom and the third one at mid;height. This is the simplest form

of door and the cheapest also. >attens are secured by tongued and grooved joint./. Battened, Ledged and Braced Doors% $f doors are wide apart from using battens and ledges

diagonal members, known as braces, are provided to strengthen the door. 9igure shows a

typical battened, ledged and braced door. :ometimes above two types of shutters are

provided within wooden frame work and in those cases they may be called as battened,

ledges and framed doors.



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$ig.% Battened and Ledged Doors $ig.% Battened, Ledged and Braced Doors

$ig.% $ra#ed and anelled Doors

0. $ra#ed and anelled Doors% This type of door consists of vertical members, called styles

and horizontal members called rails. The styles and rails are suitably grooved to receive

panels. The panels may be of wood, A.0. sheet, glasses etc. The panels may be flat or of

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raised type to get good appearance. These are very commonly used doors. They may be of

single shutter or of double shutter. 9igure shows few types of panelled doors. $f glass panels

are used they may be called as glazed doors.

1. $lus" Doors% The shutters of these doors are made of plywood or block boards. They are of

uniform thickness. These shutters are available with different attractive vineer finishes. The

time consumed in making such doors at site is 'uite less. These doors are suitable for interior

portion of a building. Nowadays flush doors are commonly used in residential and office

buildings. 9igure shows typical flush door.

2. Lou-ered Doors% Whenever privacy as well as ventilation is re'uired such doors can be

used. @ouvers are the glass, wooden or A.0. sheet strips fi2ed in the frame of shutter such

that they prevent vision but permit free passage of air. The doors may be fully or partially

louvered. :uch doors are commonly used for public bathrooms and latrines.

$ig.% $lus" Doors $ig.% Lou-ered Doors

$ig.% Re-ol-ing Doors

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6. Re-ol-ing Doors% $t consists of a centrally placed pivot to which four radiating shutters are

attached. The central pivot is supported on ball bearing at the bottom and has a bush bearing

at the top. The shutters may be partly or fully made up of glass. A circular space of entrance

is provided within which shutters rotate. As shutters rotate they give entrance on one side ande2it on other side. These doors are preferred in public buildings like stores, banks, hotels,

theatres where continuous use of doors is necessary. They are very much re'uired in entrance

to air conditioned public buildings. 9igure shows a typical revolving door.

$ig.% lan of Swing Door $ig.% lan of Sliding Door

3. Swing Doors% :wing door has its shutter attached to the frame by means of double action

springs. ence shutter can move both inward and outward. They may be single shuttered or

double shuttered. :uch doors are preferred in offices and banks. :ince these doors can open

on both sides it is desirable to provide glass panels or peep holes to enable user to see the

persons from other side.

4. Sliding Doors% $n this type of doors, shutter slides on the sides. 9or this purpose runners and

guide rails are provided. :liding shutters may be one, two or even three. :uch doors are used

in banks, offices etc. The arrangement of such shutters in plan is shown in 9ig. *.!*.

5. olla(si!le Doors% :teel channels ( to ! mm wide are used as verticals. They are placed

with ! to ! mm gap. :teel flats ( mm to ! mm wide and & mm thick are hinged to them

as shown in 9ig. The rollers are provided at their top as well as at bottom so that shutter can

be pulled or pushed sideways with slight force. There may be single or double shutters.

?sually these doors are used for additional safety. They are commonly used for front doors,

bank locker rooms, and school and college entrance doors.7. Rolling S"utters% 9igure shows a typical rolling shutter door. $t consists of a frame, a drum

and a shutter made of thin steel plates. The width of the door may vary from ! to # m. The

shutter moves on steel guides provided on sides and can easily roll up. 9or this

counterbalancing is made with helical springs on the drum. The shutter can be easily pulled

down. This type of doors is commonly used as additional doors to shops, offices, banks,

factory, and buildings from the point of safety.

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$ig.% olla(si!le steel Door $ig.% Rolling S"utter

T'(es of windows

=arious windows used may be classified on the basis of materials used, types of shutters, types of

openings of shutters and the position of windows.

. 9i2ed windows. . >ay windows.!. Bivoted windows. . 0lere;storey windows.

#. "ouble hung windows. . 0orner windows.

%. :liding windows. !. "ormer windows.

&. 0asement windows. #. 3able windows.(. 3lazed windows. %. @antern windows.

). @ouvered windows. &. :kylights.

*. Cetal windows.

. $i8ed windows% $n such type of windows the glazed shutter is permanently fi2ed in the

window+s frame. This type of window is provided when light and vision is only needed in the

room. No ventilation is possible through such windows.

/. i-oted windows% $n these windows, the shutters are allowed to rotate about the pivots fi2ed

to the window+s frame. The window+s frame has no rebate. The shutter can rotate

horizontally or vertically depending on the position of pivot.

0. Dou!le "ung windows% This type of window mainly consists of a frame and two shutters

arranged one above the other, which can move vertically upward or downward by means of

cords passing over pulleys and are connected by corner weights at other ends by open at top

or bottom to the desired e2tent by pulling the weights suitably. =entilation can be easily

controlled by these windows.

1. ase#ent windows% $t is an ordinary window, which is commonly used in residential as

well as in public buildings. The shutters of the window open like shutters of the doors. The

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window has a frame and shutters consist of styles, top rail, bottom rail, intermediate rails,

vertical and horizontal sash bars with glass panels. The panels may be glazed or partly

glazed.

2. Sliding windows% This type of window consists of sliding shutters which move on roller

bearing and can slide either horizontally or vertically. These windows are similar to sliding

doors. :uch windows are provided in trains, buses, shops, bank counters etc.

$i8ed windows i-oted windows

Dou!le "ung windows Wooden case#ent windows

6. 9lazed windows% This type of windows consists of shutters in which panels are fully glazed.

The frame of each shutter has two vertical styles, top rail and bottom rail. The panel space

between the styles and the rails is suitably divided by small wooden members placed

horizontally and vertically to suit the re'uirements. These bars are known as sash bars or

glazing bars. The sash bars have rebates to receive glass panels. The glass panels are secured

in position either by putty or timber beads and nails. $f the window opening is large, the

window frame may have mullions and transome. These are also called as sash windows.

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3. Lou-ered windows% $n this type of window the styles of shutter are grooved to receive the

louvers. The louvers are generally fi2ed but sometimes, the louvers can be raised and

lowered by means of some operating devices. 9or economical construction the angle of

inclination of louvers to the vertical styles should be %&

. The louvers slope downward to theoutside in order to run;off the rainwater. :ometimes venetian shutters are provided in which

louvers are pivoted to the frame at both ends and every louver is connected by a small hinge

to a vertical batten. When the batten is pulled up or down, the gap between the louvers are

opened or closed. These types of windows are commonly used for bathrooms, water closets,

workshops and other places where privacy is main consideration. :ometimes this window is

also known as venetianed window.

9lazed windows Lou-ered windows

4. +etal windows% ?se of metal windows is becoming very popular these days. They are used

in residential as well as in public buildings. They are strong and cheap also. These windows

are made from metals like mild steel, aluminum, bronze, stainless steel etc. Cild steel being

cheapest of all the metals, hence steel window work out to be most economical. Cild steel

sections are used for fabrication of these windows. They are available in wide range of

standard sizes. The commonly used sections are angle sections, ronze,

aluminum and stainless steel are considered to be the best metals for window+s construction.

5. Ba' windows% A window projecting outward from the walls of room is known as bay

window. This projection may be triangular, circular, rectangular or polygonal in plan. These

windows provided an increased area of opening for the admission of light and ventilation.

They also provide e2tra space in the room and improve overall appearance of the building.

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+etal windows Ba' windows

7. lere*store' windows% These windows are provided near the top of the main roof for the

purpose of light and ventilation. The location of such windows are above the verandah roof,

hence these are termed as clere;storey windows. These windows also improve the appearance

of the building. The window shutter is horizontally pivoted and the window can be opened or

closed by use of two cords, one attached to the top rail and other to the bottom rail of the

shutter. To prevent the entry of rainwater in the room, it is however important that the upper

part of the shutter opens inside and the lower part opens outside.

. orner windows% These windows are located in the corner of the room. 0orner window has

two faces at right angles. "ue to this, it is possible to admit light and air from two directions.

$n addition, it also improves the architectural view of the building.

/. Dor#er windows% $t is the vertical window built in the sloping side of a pitched roof. $t

provides proper ventilation and light for enclosed space below the roof. $t also improves the

appearance of the building.

0. 9a!le windows% The window provided at the gable end of a pitched roof is termed as gable

window.

1. Lantern windows% These windows are provided over the flat roofs to ensure more light and

air to the inner of a building. These windows project above the roof level. They admit light

from vertical faces or inclined faces. They have many shapes in plan.

2. S)'lig"ts% A skylight is provided on the sloping side of a pitched roof. The window projects

above the top sloping surface. The window being parallel to the sloping surface. The skylight

is provided to admit natural light to the room below of it. The opening for skylight is made

by cutting the common rafters suitably. The framework of skylight supporting the glass

panels consists of trimming pieces, curb frame, bottom rail and top rail. The opening so made

is properly treated by lead flushing to make the roof surrounding of openings waterproof.

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lere*store' Window orner Window Dor#er and 9a!le Window

:entilators% These are openings in the walls near the roof for the purpose of light and e2it of

foul gases. The shutter of the ventilator is horizontally pivoted and can be opened or closed by

use of two cards, one attached to its top rail and other to the bottom rail. The top edge of the

shutter opens inside and the bottom edge opens outside so as to prevent the entry of rainwater in

the room.

Door wit" -entilator Window wit" -entilator Window wit" -entilator

$i8tures and $astenings

The fi2tures and fastenings of doors and windows can be if iron, brass or aluminum. They are

made in different shapes and sizes to suit the re'uirements of different sizes and types of doors

and windows. The following types of fi2tures and fastenings are re'uired for doors, windows and

ventilators-

. inges. !. andles.

#. >olts. %. @ocks.



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:arious $i8tures and $astenings

StairsA structure placed between two floors that have a series of steps that allows you to move up or

down freely to different level. :tairs give access from floor to floor. The space4room housing

stairs is called staircase. :tairs consists of a number of steps arranged in a single flight or more

number of flights.

Tec"nical ter#s

The definitions of some technical terms, which are used in connection with design of stairs, are

given.

• Ste(% $t is a portion of a stair which permits ascent and descent. $t is comprised of tread and

riser.

• Tread% $t is the upper horizontal projection of a step in a stair case is called tread. $t is also

known as going.

• Riser% =ertical portion of a step providing a support to the tread.

• Rise% =ertical distance between two consecutive treads.

• String% The support to the side of the stair that holds the treads and risers in place.

• Waist% The thickness of the structural slab in case of an D00 stair is known as a waist.

• Soffit% The bottom surface of a stair slab.

• $lig"t% A series of steps without any platform, break or landing in their direction.



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• Landing% $t is a horizontal slab provided between two flights. $t allows the climber to rest

before climbing again in the same direction or provides a safe place to turn and continue

climbing the stair.

•

Nosing% The front edge of the tread usually rounded as a safety measure and now often in adifferent finish or material so we can define the front edge of the treads making it easier to

see them, climb the stair and they often have a nonslip nosing to reduce accidents.

• Baluster% The vertical member of wood or metal supporting the handrail.

• &andrail% A continuous rail on top of the balustrade to aid the stair user in climbing and

descending the stair.

• Balustrade or !arrister% The combined framework of handrail and balusters.

• Newel ost% This is the vertical member which is placed at the ends of flights to connect

handrail.

• Winders% These are tapering steps which are provided for changing the direction of a stair.

• Scotia% $t is a moulding provided under the nosing to improve the elevation of the step.• &eadroo#% $t is the minimum clear vertical distance between the tread and ceiling.

• Line of nosing% $t is an imaginary line touching of each tread and is parallel to the slope of

the stair.

• itc" or slo(e% $t is the angle which the line of nosing of the stair makes with the

horizontal.

• Strings or stringers% These are the sloping members which support the steps in a stair.

They run along the slope of the stair.

Location of stairs



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The stairs should be located so as to provide easy access to the occupants of the building. The

stairs should well;lighted and well;ventilated and must have convenient and spacious

approaches. $n case of public buildings, the stair should be located near the main entrance and in

case of residential buildings, the stair should be centrally located so as to have access from all therooms without disturbing the privacy of rooms. $n case of big buildings, there may be more than

one stair.

Re;uire#ents of good stairs

a7 Widt"- The width of stair should be sufficient for two persons to pass on it

simultaneously and for furniture, etc. to be carried up and down the stair. The minimum

width of a stair is taken as about * mm. $f the width of stair e2ceeds .* m, it is

desirable to provide a central handrail. Cinimum width is . m in residential buildings

and .& m to !.& m in public buildings.

b7 Nu#!er of Ste(s in a $lig"t- Ca2imum number of steps in a flight should be limited to! to %, while minimum is #. :uitable landings should be provided to give comfort and

safety to the users of the stair.

c< Rise and tread- Dise and tread provided should be uniform. $n residential buildings the

rise must not be more than !# mm and going of less !# mm while in public buildings

rise must not be more than * mm and a going of not less than !) mm. The wider the

going, the less should be the riser and greater the rise, the less should be the going.

d7 &andrails% andrails should be provided at a convenient height of a normal person

which is from * mm to mm. When a flight consists of more than three steps, a

handrail at least on one side is considered a necessity. The wide stairs should be provided

with handrails on both the sides. =ery wide stairs, as re'uired for public buildings, should

be provided with a central handrail.

e7 itc"% The inclination of a stair to the horizontal should be limited to # to %&.

f7 &eadroo#% The provision of ade'uate headroom is a necessity in a good stair. $t should

preferably not less than ! m.

g7 +aterials and wor)#ans"i(% The stair should be constructed of sound materials and

good workmanship so as to impart durability and strength to the stair. The stairway

provides a path by which fire can spread from one floor to another and hence the fire

protection of the staircases is e2tremely important. The materials used for the linings of

walls and ceiling of staircase should be non;combustible and of low flame spread.

T'(es of stairs

The stairs may be built with wood, concrete masonry or with cast iron. Wooden stairs are not

safe, because of the danger of fire. owever, they are used in unimportant buildings to access to

small areas in the upper floors. 0ast iron or steel stairs in the spiral forms were used commonly



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to reduce stair case area. $n many residential buildings masonry stairs are also used. Deinforced

concrete stairs are very commonly used in all types of buildings.

>ased on the shapes stairs may be classified as-

5a7 :traight stairs5b7 "og legged stairs

5c7 Well or open;newel stairs

5d7 3eometrical stairs

5e7 :piral stairs

5f7 Turning stairs.

Straig"t Stairs% $f the space available for stair case is narrow and long, straight stairs may be

provided. :uch stairs are commonly used to give access to porch or as emergency e2its to cinema

halls. $n this type all steps are in one direction. They may be provided in single flight or in two

flights with landing between the two flights.

Straig"t stairs

Dog Legged Stairs% $t consists of two straight flights with *E turn between the two. They are

very commonly used to give access from floor to floor. 9igure shows the arrangement of steps in

such stairs.

Well or O(en*newel Stairs% $t differs from dog legged stairs such that in this case there is .&

m to . m gap between the two adjacent flights. 9igure shows a typical open newel stair.

Dog legged stairs O(en well =newel< stairs

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9eo#etrical Stairs% This type of stair is similar to the open newel stair e2cept that well formed

between the two adjacent flights is curved. The hand rail provided is continuous.

9eo#etrical stairs

S(iral or &elical Stairs% These stairs are commonly used as emergency e2its. $t consists of a

central post supporting a series of steps arranged in the form of a spiral. At the end of steps

continuous hand rail is provided. :uch stairs are provided where space available for stairs is very

much limited. 9igure shows a typical spiral stair. 0ast iron, steel or D.0.0. is used for building

these stairs.

Turning Stairs% Apart from dog legged and open newel type turns, stairs may turn in various

forms. They depend upon the available space for stairs. Fuarter turned, half turned with few

steps in between and bifurcated stairs are some of such turned stairs. 9igure shows a bifurcated

stair.

S(iral stairs Bifurcated stairs

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$i8ing of rise and tread

The height of the floor is generally known. The procedure for determining the number of treads

and risers is as follows-

a. The position of first and last risers is determined with regard to the positions of doors,windows, verandahs etc.

b. A convenient height for the riser is assumed.c. Number of risers G total height of floor 4 height of riser.

d. Number of treads in a flight G number of treads H .

This is due to the fact that the surface of the upper floor forms the tread for the top step.

12ample- @et us suppose assume that the height of floor is #.& m. Assuming a riser of % mm,

No. of risers G #.& 4 .% G !&

No. of treads for stair with single flight G 5!& H 7 G !%

No. of treads for stair with double flight G 5!& H !7 G !#

"epending upon the space available for staircase, the type of stair is selected.

Compiled by Dr. Prashanth J. and Dr. Harish N. Page 1#

Documents

doors, windows and stairs