FEATURES
SWARTLAND WINDOWS AND DOORS
Wooden doors and windows are loved for their beauty.
2. The sliding sash window
Sliding sash windows feature two movable panels, or sashes,
which slide vertically to open and close the window, but they
remain inside the frame so they don't protrude out to the exterior
or interior of the house. When positioning the two sliding sashes in
the centre of the frame, one creates equal openings at the top and
bottom giving the best crossflow ventilation of any window.
3. The mock sliding sash window
Mock Sash Windows open in the same way as normal top-hung
awning windows, but when closed, they offer the same visual
appeal as traditional sliding sash windows, but they come in at a
much lower price point.
4. Side hung window
Side hung windows offer minimal obstruction to any outdoor views.
They come in a variety of configurations, from single- to double-,
and triple-pane formats, but all of them boast large panes, with
slender frames. These windows are hinged on the side.
5. Horizontal gliding windows
These windows boast large panes or sashes, which slide open
horizontally for maximum ventilation and minimal obstruction of
any views.
6. Small pane windows
Also known as cottage pane windows, small pane windows boast a
multi-pane window format where each sash is usually divided into two
columns and five rows of glazing. For the most part, these windows are
side-hung, and come in single, double, three and four sash formats.
However, they can be easily made up to fit any space required.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS
Energy efficiency is commonly associated with electrical
appliances; however, it also applies in the context of wooden
windows as well. “Windows are a narrow barrier between the
interior and exterior of your home. Therefore, it is so important to
choose energy-efficient windows,” Britz explains.
There is a lot of jargon involved in fenestration and energy
efficiency, however, there are two terms that are commonly used
which will help people make an informed decision. These are
R-values and U-values. The R-value measures a window’s
resistance to heat flow – as such, the higher the R-value, the
better. The U-value on the other hand measures how well the
window prevents heat from escaping a building. The lower the
U-value the more efficient the window.
The material from which the windows are made is another
aspect that needs careful consideration. “Timber windows offer
the best insulative value and the highest cradle-to-grave
environmentally-friendly credentials out of all the materials that
windows can be made from,” Britz says. With regards to blinds
and shutters, Mederer explains that stability is the most
important factor for blinds. “Shutters and blinds are essentially
a home barrier from the sun and are constantly absorbing UV.
For timber shutters we use Obeche internally and African
Mahogany externally. For our timber blind range, we only utilise
basswood,” he says. Mederer says that the reason for using
such timbers is because they are extremely stable in both moist
and dry conditions and are also lightweight – which puts
minimal strain on a home’s masonry.
www.timberiq.co.za // OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 17