topic Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness? in Libraries & objects

Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

alexliz24 — Wed, 24 May 2023 10:45:27 GMT

I have found a few doors, but no windows.

Sliding Windows in the INT library only feature windows where the one half of the glass area slides over the other half - NOT the kind where both halfs can slide each in its own side of the wall thickness, effectively opening the whole width.

We used to have such windows in past versions (v4.1 if I'm not mistaken). What happened?

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:33:44 GMT

I don't remember any pocket window in any AC version since AC 4.5.
In fact, I do not know whether such a window type exist in reality.
I do not know of a single US window making company that makes
a pocket window. Are they made and used in Greece ?
I would be interested in the construction details of such
a window. Making them seal against the weather would
seem very difficult.
Thank you,
Peter Devlin

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 02:54:22 GMT

It didn't rain once in the 6 weeks I was in Greece.... Maybe weathering isn't an issue.

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 03:03:19 GMT

Hello Stuart,
Have you ever heard of or seen such a window type ?
Thanks,
Peter Devlin

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 03:46:38 GMT

Hi Peter

As far as Archicad windows go, I've always used Door and Window Builder, so this is easy to achieve (using a door or a window). I don't know if such a window was available from the standard Archicad libraries.

In real life, they're reasonably common in an interior situation (therefore no weathering issues), but in an external wall, probably not a good idea unless you have very good cover from the elements (and the maintenance man knows not to hose them down too vigourously).

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:05:07 GMT

Hello Stuart,
You say they are reasonably common for interiors.
I have often seen pocket doors used in interiors
but I have never seen a pocket window.
I did a search on the web using the keyword
"pocket window" and got no hits that related
to windows.
What are these windows that you have seen called ?
If I knew what they were called I could get
some information about them.
Thanks,
Peter Devlin

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

alexliz24 — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:38:44 GMT

The problem with this type of windows, in real life I mean, is that they suffer in terms of sound-proofing and heat insulation when compared to normal sliding or opening mechanisms. Otherwise, they are excellent ways to keep the window/door out of sight when opened, as well as to fully open the window/door opening as opposed to only being able to open a part of it.

Water never comes in (well, it does, in extreme weather, penetrate the wall interior, but don't imagine any huge quantities. In a short time the wall is dry again; you wouldn't normally see the water in the interior).

I might have to go back to my v4 CDs and dig up those ancient library parts.

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 20:53:25 GMT

Hi Peter

There's a company here which do cavity sliders (check out www.csfordoors.co.nz). Is the photo on the right a door or a window? There's not much difference between a sliding door and a sliding window I suppose, except maybe for the sill height.

So Alex, maybe you can use a sliding door, raise the sill height, show the sill lines on plan, and tell everyone it's a window?

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Gerald Hoffman — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:25:16 GMT

I checked out the site and although I have never seen those used where I live they look pretty much like cut down pocket doors to me. I think you could use a pocket door for this purpose.

I would not use those for exterior walls either but if you want doors that open there is the Nanawall system which is very nice although pricey. They can either fold to both sides or off to a side pocket. If rain is not an issue they are available without a bottom track as well.

http://www.nanawall.com

Cheers,

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:37:42 GMT

Gerald wrote:
I checked out the site and although I have never seen those used where I live they look pretty much like cut down pocket doors to me. ...
Cheers,

Yep, that's about it. But put glass in it and is it a door or a window?

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:43:21 GMT

Hello Stuart,
Thank you for the link.
So, a pocket window does exist.
I guess I'll just have to make a
pocket window lib part.

There is one problem with using
a pocket door as a pocket window
and that is doors do not have a sill frame
or sill trim. I suppose Alex could make
a sill frame and sill trim with slabs
and insert them into the opening.

Peter Devlin

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:45:44 GMT

Peter wrote:
Hello Stuart,
There is one problem with using
a pocket door as a pocket window
and that is doors do not have a sill frame
or sill trim....

Peter Devlin

Door and Window Builder doors (and windows) do, which is why I thought it was a simple switch.

Cheers

Re: Doors/Windows sliding in the wall thickness?

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:01:31 GMT

Hello Stuart,
Thanks for the info.
This brings up the subject that you alluded to
and that is what is the definition of a
door vs a window in Archicad.
Once way back in AC 4.5 I tried to elevate
a door about foot up above the wall base
and as I remember I got some kind of error.
Since then I have been inserting doors at any
height with no problem.
I can't figure out what the difference is.
They function exactly the same and as you
seem to indicate Door and Window Builder
makes no practical distinction between them.
Thanks,
Peter Devlin