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Purpose and sizing of doors and windows; panelled doors

Short answer

Doors provide access, privacy, security, and protection; windows admit daylight, air, view, and enhance appearance. Sizing: main entrance 1.0-1.2m x 2.1m, room doors 0.9m x 2.0-2.1m, bathroom doors 0.6-0.75m x 2.0m, windows 0.9-1.5m wide with sill 0.75-0.9m high, window area 10-20% of floor area. Panelled door terms: frame, shutter, styles, rails, panels, muntin, transom, mullion, horn, mortise-tenon joints, hinges, lock, handle.

Discuss purpose and sizing of doors and windows. List different terms used in panelled doors.

Purpose of doors and windows

  • Doors: give access to rooms and the building, and provide privacy, security and protection from weather, noise and fire.
  • Windows: admit daylight and fresh air, give a view and ventilation, and add to the appearance.

Sizing (as per NBC and usual practice)

ItemUsual size
Main entrance door1.0-1.2 m wide, 2.1 m high
Room doors0.9 m wide, 2.0-2.1 m high
Bathroom / WC doors0.6-0.75 m wide, 2.0 m high
Fire exits / hospital doors1.2 m wide or more
WindowsWidth 0.9-1.5 m, sill 0.75-0.9 m above floor
Window area10-20% of floor area (at least 10%); ventilators 5%

The door height should give a head clearance of at least 2.0 m, and the opening should allow furniture to pass.

Terms used in panelled doors

  • Frame (chaukhat): head and two jambs.
  • Shutter: the moving leaf.
  • Styles: vertical outer members; rails: top, frieze, lock and bottom rails.
  • Panels: infilling boards of timber/plywood/glass.
  • Muntin: intermediate vertical member between panels.
  • Transom: horizontal frame member separating the door from a fanlight above; mullion: vertical frame member dividing the opening.
  • Horn: projection of the frame head into the wall.
  • Mortise and tenon joints between styles and rails.
  • Hinges, lock and handle.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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