WINDOW FRAMES
MAKING WINDOW FRAMES
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this element trainees shall be able to;
- Define terminologies,
- Identify types of window frames,
- Identify window frame members,
- Explaining procedures for fixing window frame,
- State safety rules on carpentry works,
- Constructing the window frame,
- Cleanliness and storage of tools.
INTRODUCTION
The function of the window frame is to admit light and air into the building.
- The term window frame is the framework that supports window sashes,
- Or a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass window and is built into a wall or roof to admit
light or air.
TYPES WINDOW FRAMES
There are two types of window frames depending on how the sashes are hung. These are;
- Solid window frame and Box window frame.
The common solid window frame consists of Jambs, Head, and Cill. When additional light and ventilation are
needed a fanlight can be added, the extra piece is called a transom, and then if wider windows are required, a
mullion can be added.
Any of these frames can be made with a rebate with beads (Planted rebate) or with a combination of the two. If
beads are used, they are fixed after the casement is installed, so they can be adjusted.
Box window frames are used for vertical sliding sashes (double hung) the thinness of the materials, housing joints
are used instead of mortise and tenon joints.
Before you start constructing a window frame you have to decide;
- Whether the window will have shutters, louvers or any other kind of closing.
- If there will be any burglar (thief) proofing and if so what kind;
- If any mosquito proofing is required,
- Where the window will be installed (does it have to be opened frequently?)
All these factors can influence the kind and sizes of timber we use and the sizes of the frame itself.
Remember; Window frame measurements which are given with no further explanation are always inside
measurements.
JOINTS AND WINDOW FRAME MEMBERS
When you are marking out the joints, first decide whether the frame is to have a rebate or beads. In general, the
joints for window frames are the same as those for door frames.
Window frame members are;
a) Horizontal members, which are head, transom, and cill,
b) Vertical members which are posts/jambs, and mullion,
MAKING WINDOW FRAMES WITH TRANSOM AND MULLION.
The joint for the transom, mullion connection should be a stub tenon, to prevent water from entering the mortise
at the top.
Proper steps for window frame construction;
- Study the drawing, - Prepare the cutting list, - Select the timber,
- Cut timber to required sizes, - Plane the timber to size and make the face marks,
- Mark out the joints (Be careful in marking out the shoulders of the joints). The head, transom, and cill
must be marked out together, as the two posts and the mullion must also be marked out together.
- Mortise the head and cill and make stopped mortises in posts/jambs and transom,
- Rip the tenons for the transom, post and mullion,
- Rip the horns on the head and cill, - prepare the rebate and throating if required,
- Cit the shoulders of the tenons (smooth and clean up the inside edges).
Assembling the window frame;
- Place the frame on the workbench, with the rebated side up,
- Fix the transom to the posts, - Fix the mullion to the transom,
- Cramp the head and the cill to the posts and mullion,
- Test for squareness at the four corners and check for diagonals,
- With cramps still in position, fasten the joints, - Finish off the window frame.
Installing window frames;
Installing window frames is similar to installing door frames. A window frame should be fixed in such a way that the
casement can open flat to the wall,
With the edge of the wall. This can cause the hinges to be forced out when the window is blown open by the wind.
Window frames can be installed either during the construction of a wall or after the walling has been completed.
Installing window frames during wall construction;
When the blockwork has reached window cill level the frames can be set and aligned in the same way as a door
frame. The chief difference is that in the window frame, the horizontal members are usually longer than the
vertical members, and for that reason, more attention is given to leveling the head and cill of a window frame than
to levelling the head of the door frame. Check them by comparing them from a distance to see if they are aligned
as with door frames.
Installing frames after walling has been completed;
This method is not so commonly used but has its advantages. To keep the frames clean, square and dry, they are
kept in a store or in a building that is roofed. Openings are left in blockwork to receive the frame, horns and steel
clamps. The frame is set into this opening and the steel clamps and horns are secured with mortar. Sometimes
hardwood or plastic plugs are used to secure the frame in the wall.
Cill of the window frame;
The cill will should have a slope on the outside, to keep rain out of the building. This slope can be constructed by
chamfering the cill or by a combination of chamfering and rebating.
It is important to prevent rainwater from entering the space between the cill and the wall, where it could cause the
cill to rot.