CONCERNING WINDOW.

Evening Star, Issue 22366, 16 June 1936, Page 2

CONCERNING WINDOW.

VALUE OF DOUBLE-HUNG TYPE OPINIONS OF AN ARCHITECT There are some details in the construction of a house which are worthy of a little thought before the accepted form is finally agreed upon, writes Vernon Brown, L.R.1.8.A., in a New Zealand l weekly journal. Take windows as an instance. Perhaps 90 per cent, of the houses built to-day are fitted with the casement type of window. The possibilities of other types of windows are seldom entertained. It is an accepted state similar to lighting and electricity, with the result that the disadvantages and shortcomings are accepted. To overcome these drawbacks in the casement sash the fanlight was introduced, so thatcohe was still able to obtain ventilation if the weather happened to be windy and wet. In "act, in some cases the fanlight has become a necessity of the local by-laws. In the bungalow type of house where the fanlight was omitted the difficulty was to some extent overcome by the construction of a wide overhang to the eaves. I think it is an obvious fact that efficient ventilation is not possible where the windows are of the casement variety and there are no fanlights. Therefore one is forced to accept the fanlight. The difficulties of curtaining a window with fanlights are too_ well known. The difficulties of selecting a piece of hardware which will effectively open and shut the sash and at the same time not create the impression of a bird trap are also well known—in fact, so well known that the majority are left open all the time. The effect of this on curtains and blinds has to be seen to be believed.

Granted, the easement sash is a “ sine qua non ” to certain types of houses. For instance, the modern house has steel casement windows, but a steel sash permits of lighter construction and better design, and such a house would require different curtaining if it required any at all. We are chiefly concerned with the average gmall house in New Zealand. Having mentioned most of the difficulties of the casement sash, we should suggest a type of window which overcomes these points, and there is only one answer—the so-called old-fashioned double-hung window, sometimes known as the “ push lip and) pull down ” kind. The main objection to this type of window seems to be the fact that it has been in use for so many years, and has come to be looked upon as being oldfashioned, though it must be admitted that it performs its functions well. The double-hung sash permits of regulated ventilation under all weather condi-

tions and is aesthetically sound. One hears the objection that they rattle, but all these windows require is adjustment—a simple matter of moving the beading on the ineiden Small curved pieces of spring steel can be purchased and fitted which prevent all rattle.

Tins type of window would not “ do ” for the doll’s bouse Tudor style, but then little thought has been given to such a house as a whole, let alone to the windows. But until such time as it becomes economically possible to use a good design for steel windows we would like to see all windows of the double-hung type. Casement sashes are cheaper, but one ventures to mention that there is a standard below which it is advisable not to descend. Windows lead to shutters. How many instances has one seen where shutters are used in conjunction with casements? Sometimes one sees a range of these casements with a pair of shutters of curious design. Admitted 1 that certain forms have outlived their purpose and become mere ornamentation, but 1 think a fair parallel is the e.ectnc light fitting with the moulded candle droppings. What one means is that ornamentation is economical only when it can be combined with utility. _ In the design of windows it is well if the beads line with the beads of doors. This gives a satisfactory line in the room, and if not always possible the window beads should never be lower than the doors. Again, the exceptions are for certain types of houses. A fine effect can bo obtained by using very tall windows, taking them down as low as the skirtings. When placing the windows in a lyom, some consideration should be given to the wall space left and the possible hanging of pictures in relation to light. Too often does one see a wall all eaten up with a strip of window, when if the units had been separated some scheme could have been worked out. With regard to the double hung sash, it is possible to design in such a way that both sashes can be dropped into a cavity below the sill level, the opening being 100 per cent, ventilation, or, in the case of a window running down to the floor, both sashes can he slid up into a cavity above the opening. The types of sliding sashes on the market work well and fill the demand for a large opening, but the effect ot a row of sashes on the outside is frightful unless well handled. Personally, one questions the form of sun porches where the principle involved seems to be that when the day is fine and sunny all the inmates of the house go into the sun porch, throw wide the sashes, and sit bathed in sun from the waist upwards, one overlooks the possibility that when the weather is so minded there is always jthe garden. The old colonial idea of an open verandah is a bettor solution to the problem, and certainly looks much better. The idea of plenty of window space in a room is good, but when a small compartment is built on the sunny side of the house and called a snn porch it will generally be found to keep the sun off the principal rooms. Far better to obtain the maximum sun for the main living room.

There is the question of whether the windows should be divided with bars, and, if so, in what manner. Tho average wooden sash permitted of little modernisation, but it was apparently decided that the vertical bars were not functional, so that it is a mark of modernism to have bars and that thev shall be horizontal only. Again, certain types of home demand certain types of sash. The colonial or Georgian houso windows require to be divided with horizontal and vertical bars. They certainly give a little more trouble in cleaning, but then if we must build in a manner when glass was obtainable in small sizes and later when there was no servant problem, _ we must be prepared to put up with certain inconveniences.

There is really no ned for bars at all, and tho one argument in favour of the horizontal bars in the doublebung sash is that they assist in the pulling up or down of the windows.