Window blocks and the design process

This is not so much a drafting question as a design process question, but
here goes.

Given that each window manufacturer uses slightly different sizes (say
1'-8", 1-8.5" and 1'-9" from 3 different manufacturers), do you...

Have some standard sizes that you use, and leave it to the contractor to get
something close?

If you don't leave it to the contractor, but rather actually specify the
window manufacturer, do you know which you will use early on, and draw sizes
based on their catalog, or do you draw generic sizes and leave the specific
catalog sizes to the window schedule? Or start with generic then change
later to catalog sizes?

If you could have a library of 2D window blocks in plan, would you want
Just generic sizes?
All sizes from all common manufacturers together (and you choose while
browsing the catalog)?
Sizes divided by manufacturer, so you choose say Marvin then just choose
from a palette of Marvin sizes?

I am looking at this as a part of my Master's Thesis, and any comments are
very welcome. Also, don't feel limited to what you can do now with AutoCAD.
I am curious how you would prefer to work, as well as how you do work,
within the limitations of the current software.

Thanks,
Gordon

 

When I worked in the arch. field, we used generic blocks (nominal sizes for
our "typical" windows), dimensioned to the center and gave the m.o. (masonry
opening) in the schedule. This helped when the owner wasn't too sure on
specific window mfr.

Matt

 

Gordon,
I've always been a fan of Andersen windows and they are popular in my area
(norther New England). So, I've made up a complete lib (ie plan and
Elevations) of most of the Standard Andersen windows. I use those a during
the preliminary stages (and as always dimension to the center of the window)
or until the homeowner figures out what the want.

for the Day time gig, we have about 15 different window sized and mulled
units. That is it. and the customers only choices are to add or subtract .
We are a cookie cutter builder (about 120 homes/year), with standard plans
that we have specific options for no custom homes at all.

Paul

 

Gordon,

The answer to your questions will depend slightly on residential vs. commercial.

With residential, have a few standard sizes for the different rooms (4'x4' for bedrooms, 3'x3' for the kitchen). Put the standard sizes on the draft copy. Then once the windows are chosen by the owner the true sizes can be drawn on the final set.

If doing commercial, I would stick to masonry sizes. Do this even if the building isn't a masonry building because most commercial windows are manufactured in masonry sizes.

One thing to remember is to ALWAYS dimension to the center of the window. This way if the window size changes you will only have to stretch it to fit. If doing a plan view and the window changes by a minimal amount (and inch or two) I wouldn't change it on the plan, however, any details may need to be revised.

don

 

Dimensioning to the center is a residential drafting practice but not necessarily followed for commercial building window opening dimensioning. Depends on how much responsibility for the accuracy of the drawings the designer wishes to assume.

If center dimensioning is used, the contractor must assume responsibility for providing the correct rough opening; if the designer chooses to indicate rough openings, the contractor will come back to the deisgner if things don't fit (this assumes the window size hasn't changed).

There are a couple of other good quality window manufacturers to check out: Eagle and Pozzi.