6.7 Doors, windows and glazing

MATERIALS STANDARDS

6.7 - M1	Materials standards
6.7 - M2-M4	Timber doors and windows
6.7 - M5	Non-timber doors and windows
6.7 - M6	Ironmongery
6.7 - M7	Glazing

Materials that comply with the design and the guidance below will be acceptable for doors, windows and glazing.

Materials for doors, windows and glazing should comply with all relevant standards, including those listed below. Where no standard exists, Technical Requirement R3 applies (see Chapter 1.1 'Introduction to the Standards and Technical Requirements').

References to British Standards and Codes of Practice include those made under the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC) and, in particular, appropriate European Technical Specifications approved by a European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).

TIMBER DOORS AND WINDOWS

Items to be taken into account include:

(a) classification and use

All timber and wood-based materials should comply with the relevant requirements of BS EN 942 as follows:

• glazing beads - European
• window casements/sashes - 'J' classes
• all other elements - (see table 1 of BS EN 942).

In England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, planted stops are not permitted on frames to external doors.

Storey-height frames should be of a section appropriate to their height and function.

External doors should be not less than 42.5mm (44mm nominal) in thickness.

Wood windows should comply with the relevant requirements of BS 644 and have a minimum rebate depth of 15mm where double glazed units are to be installed.

Medium density fibreboard for window boards should be moisture resistant grade.

(b) drying shrinkage

To minimise drying shrinkage, the moisture content of joinery, when fixed, should not exceed the following:

Joinery items	Moisture content (%)*
Windows and frames	17
Internal joinery in:
- intermittent heating	15
- continuous heating	12
- in close proximity to a heat source	9
* on delivery, the moisture content should be within 2% either side of the values specified.

(c) workmanship

All prefabricated items should be constructed to a good standard of workmanship, including:

• fit and construction of joints
• construction of finger joints
• glueing and laminating
• construction of moving parts
• surface finishes.

Prefabricated components should comply with the relevant parts of BS 1186 : Part 2.

(d) surface finish

Any surface finishing defects should be such that they would not be apparent with a matt paint finish, whether the surface is to be stained or painted, gloss or matt.

Items to be taken into account include:

(a) preservation

Non-durable timbers used externally should be treated, see Chapter 2.3 'Timber preservation (natural solid timber)' (each section) for details.

Preservative treatment is required for the following:

• external door frames
• windows
• timber surrounds to metal windows
• external doors, other than flush doors.

(b) priming

Material to be painted should be primed before fixing. For further guidance on preparing elements for painting, see Chapter 8.5 'Painting and decorating' (each section).

(c) staining

Material to be stained should have the first coat applied before delivery to site.

Compatibility of glazing, sealants and finishes should be checked with relevant manufacturers.

NON-TIMBER DOORS AND WINDOWS

Relevant standards include the following:

BS 4873	Specification for aluminium alloy windows
BS 6510	Specification for steel windows, window boards and doors
BS 7412	Plastics windows made from PVC-U extruded hollow profiles
BS 7413	White PVC-U extruded hollow profiles with heat welded corner joints for plastics windows: materials type A
BS 7414	White PVC-U extruded hollow profiles with heat welded corner joints for plastics windows: materials type B.

 
Third party certification is also required for PVC-U windows. Windows which are Kitemarked will meet with the Performance Standard.

Doors and windows to which the above British Standards do not apply should have been assessed in accordance with Technical Requirement R3.

IRONMONGERY

Items to be taken into account include:

(a) relevant standards

Ironmongery should be provided in accordance with the design and specification. For critical functions, materials should comply with appropriate standards, including the following:

BS EN 1935	Building hardware - single axis hinges - Requirements and test methods
BS 3621	Thief resistant lock assembly. Key egress
BS 8621	Thief resistant lock assembly. Keyless egress
BS 10621	Thief resistant dual mode lock assembly
BS 4951	Specification for builders' hardware: lock and latch furniture (doors)
BS 5872	Specification for locks and latches for doors in buildings
BS 6459	Door closers.

(b) security

Security items for doors and windows are contained in Clause D4.

(c) door hinges

The requirements for door hinges are contained in Clause D5(f).

GLAZING

(a) relevant standards

Insulating glass units and glazing materials should comply with appropriate British Standards, including the following:

BS 5516	Code of Practice for patent glazing
BS 6262	Code of Practice for glazing of buildings
BS EN 1279	Glass in buildings - insulating glass units.

(b) materials

Glazing components should be compatible with the frame finishes. Manufacturers' recommendations should be taken into account. Materials from different manufacturers should not be used together unless both have agreed in writing.

Linseed oil based putty should never be used for the installation of laminated glass or insulating glass units.

(c) glass

Glass used in insulating glass units for windows and doors should comply with appropriate British Standards including the following:

• Annealed glass - BS EN 572
• Laminated glass - BS EN 14449
• Toughened glass - BS EN 12150
• Wired glass - BS EN 572
• Low-e coated glasses, including both hard and soft coated - BS EN 1096.

(d) safety and security

The glass supplier should provide documentation to confirm the properties of the various glasses used and conformance with the appropriate British Standards. Permanent marking of safety glass (including glazed shower/bath screens) is required.

Glazing materials should be compatible with the required levels of safety and security. The requirements for critical locations with a high risk of accidental breakage should comply with the safety requirements of Approved Document N in England, Wales and the Isle of Man, Technical Booklet V in Northern Ireland and BS 6262 in Scotland.