Window Structure Installation Popularization Nederland

Windows are often one of the most visible elements of a building and can be transformed depending on their design details and installation. As insulation becomes more and more important, the nodal design and installation of windows becomes more complex. Explore below the various elemental parts required to install modern windows in a typical hollow masonry wall and how they are assembled on site.

• Key elements of window installation

①Structure: The location, thickness, size and type of structural area are key to designing the size of the window opening and the type of structure.

②Insulation and exterior surfaces: Once the structure is finalized, it needs to be insulated and covered with a weatherproof material. Additional insulation can be added to the interior to help minimize cold bridges and improve thermal performance.

③Window appearance, light hours, shading and thermal bridging effects and choosing window locations: depending on the intended location of the window within the wall, attention needs to be paid to internal cavities or thermal breaks.

④Installation of metal frames and sealers: metal slats can further minimize the ways in which thermal cracks can be created between the window and other materials while securing the window to the structure.

⑤ Window and sill installation: windows are installed together with aluminum exterior windows. When constructing concrete windows, a moisture barrier needs to be constructed in advance due to the possibility of water ingress.

⑥ Filling gaps with insulation: Fill the algae with PU expanding foam or foam/mineral wool insulation.

⑦Use of airtight tape: Installation of sealing tape, to ensure sealing between the structure and the window to minimize internal air leakage.

⑧ Internal finishes and sealing: Install internal finishes such as plasterboard and sills, and use silicone to seal the interior and exterior of the window to the finish to reduce the effects of thermal expansion and contraction movement.

• In-wall location

Some projects may require a specified internal and external depth, depending on internal use or external shading requirements. Below is a list of common window installation locations with a brief description of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Centering

This is the most common location for a modern window in a wall, placed entirely within the insulation. It provides an area that can be exposed for both internal sills and external shading.

Deep Exposure/Full Brick Exposure

Deep exposures are very favorable for south-facing windows because they help reduce the amount of sunlight. Such a mounting position will also stand out more on the facade due to the stronger light and dark shadow effect. Such a detail requires the window to be mounted directly to the structure, which can lead to an increase in the cold bridge effect, but this can also be solved by filling the area between the structure and the window frame with a structural insulating material.

If a deep exposure is chosen, some designers choose to fold back the brickwork to achieve a full brick exposure. A full brick exposure can only be achieved if the masonry is wider in the hollow than the distance the bricks are folded back.

Flush exterior wall surface

When on a building facade where the amount of sunlight is not an issue, such as the north facade, there is a unique placement of windows flush with the brick face of the facade. This creates a very large, interior bay window that can be used for reading or working. Using wire-mounted windows allows them to project into the structure flush with the exterior brick face.