A jalousie window (pronounced /ˈdʒæləˌsi/) is a window which consists of parallel glass, acrylic, or wooden louvers set in a frame. The louvers are locked together onto a track, so that they may be tilted open and shut in unison, to control airflow through the window. They are usually controlled by a crank mechanism.
A patent for a louvered window was applied for in the US in 1900 and patented Nov. 26, 1901 . Patent # 687705 by Joseph W. Walker, OF Malden, Massachusetts.
Jalousie windows are best-suited for porches that are not climate-controlled and are located in mild-winter climates, and thus were very common on mid-20th-century homes in Florida and the deep South. They have the advantage that they can remain open during heavy rains and yet (because the glass louvers protrude outward) keep most of the rain from entering in through the windows (another reason for their popularity in these warm, wet climates). They are also still in use and extremely common in Hawaii. They are not suitable for situations where weathertightness or energy efficiency are a priority, since it is impossible to achieve a good seal between panes. It is also very hard to secure this design, as the slats are very often easily and silently removed, which has seen most of them removed and replaced with updated security windows, at least in the United Kingdom.
They were also widely used in mobile homes during the 1950s and 1960s, before most mobile home manufacturers began switching to more conventional sliding and double hung windows in the 1970s and '80s.
In the UK, these windows are generally known as "louvre windows".
They are also called louver/slated/glass crankout windows in certain legal circles; jalousie windows with extremely wide louvered panes (e.g. over six inches) are frequently called awning windows.
See also
- Van Ellis Huff, is widely credited as the inventor of the jalousie window, but no patents have been found in his name.
- Louver
- Window blind
References
Martin James. Desserts. (Page 71) Quadrille Publishing 2007. ISBN 978 184400 463 8
 |
This architectural element-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
