Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Senior Secondary 2
Materials and Methods used in Fixing Opening in Building
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Materials and Methods used in Fixing Opening in Building
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Subject: Block laying, Brick laying & Concrete Works
Class: Senior Secondary 2
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 1
Theme: Building Construction
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Students should beable to:Identify Nigeriantimbers and products used for windows and doors. State the functionsof opening in building.
A. Definition of Openings in Buildings: Openings in buildings refer to planned apertures or voids created in walls or roofs to accommodate elements like doors, windows, and ventilators. These are integral to the functionality, aesthetics, and safety of any structure.
B. Functions of Openings in Buildings: Openings serve multiple crucial roles in a building:
1. Access and Egress: Doors provide pathways for entry into and exit from buildings and between different rooms. This is fundamental for human movement and the transportation of goods.
2. Natural Lighting: Windows allow natural light to penetrate the interior spaces, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting during the day, thereby saving energy.
3. Ventilation: Windows and sometimes louvered doors facilitate the circulation of fresh air, expelling stale air, regulating indoor temperature, and improving indoor air quality. This is particularly important in Nigeria's tropical climate to mitigate heat and humidity.
4. Security: Both doors and windows are designed with locking mechanisms and robust materials to protect the occupants and contents of a building from unauthorized entry.
5. Privacy: Doors and curtains/blinds on windows allow occupants to control visual and, to some extent, auditory privacy within a building.
6. Aesthetics and Architectural Design: Openings contribute significantly to the overall architectural character, beauty, and visual appeal of a building, both internally and externally. Their size, shape, and arrangement influence the building's facade.
7. Emergency Exit: In case of fire or other emergencies, windows and certain doors can serve as escape routes, supplementing primary exits.
8. View: Windows provide occupants with views of the external environment, connecting the indoor space with the outside world.
C. Materials for Openings (Focus on Timber): Timber remains a popular material for doors and windows in Nigeria due to its workability, aesthetic appeal, relative availability, and good insulating properties. Nigerian Timbers and Products Used for Windows and Doors: Hardwoods: Generally dense, durable, and resistant to decay and insect attacks, making them suitable for external applications and high-traffic areas.
1. Iroko (Botanical Name: Milicia excelsa; Local Name: Oji - Igbo, Loko - Yoruba): Characteristics: Golden-brown to dark brown, highly durable, naturally resistant to termites and rot, good weather resistance, stable.
Typical Use: Excellent for external doors, window frames, sills, and any joinery requiring high durability and exposure to weather.
2. Mahogany (Botanical Name: Khaya spp.; Local Name: Oganwo - Yoruba, Akere - Igbo): Characteristics: Reddish-brown, attractive grain, strong, durable, relatively stable, polishes well.
Typical Use: High-quality panel doors, door frames, window frames, decorative joinery, and furniture.
3. Teak (Botanical Name: Tectona grandis; Local Name: Teeku): Characteristics: Golden-brown, very durable, excellent resistance to moisture, insects, and decay, high strength, premium timber.
Typical Use: External doors, window frames, marine applications, and high-end joinery where longevity and resistance to harsh conditions are paramount.
4. Sapele (Botanical Name: Entandrophragma cylindricum; Local Name: Sapele Mahogan): Characteristics: Reddish-brown, interlocking grain, strong, durable, similar to Mahogany but with a distinct stripe figure.
Typical Use: Doors, window frames, architectural millwork, and decorative panels.
5. Mansonia (Botanical Name: Mansonia altissima; Local Name: Opepe - Yoruba, Ofun - Edo): Characteristics: Medium hardwood, yellowish-brown, moderately durable, good workability.
Typical Use: General joinery, internal doors, and window frames where moderate durability is required.
6. Afara (Botanical Name: Terminalia superba; Local Name: Limba - general, Afara - Yoruba): Characteristics: Lighter hardwood, creamy white to yellowish-brown, fairly durable, good workability.
Typical Use: Internal doors, door frames, and general joinery where strength and durability are not as critical as for external elements. Softwoods (less common for structural parts of doors/windows in Nigeria due to durability concerns, but used for internal components or secondary elements):
1. Obeche (Botanical Name: Triplochiton scleroxylon; Local Name: Arere - Yoruba): Characteristics: Pale yellow to white, very light, soft, easily worked, not durable for external use.
Typical Use: Internal door panels (often within flush doors), non-structural components, internal linings.
Timber Products (Engineered Wood):
1. Plywood: Description: Sheets of wood veneer glued together in alternating grain directions. * Typical Use: Common for flush door skins/panels, creating a stable and flat surface, and for internal door components. It is less prone to but used for internal components or secondary elements):
1. Obeche (Botanical Name: Triplochiton scleroxylon; Local Name: Arere - Yoruba): Characteristics: Pale yellow to white, very light, soft, easily worked, not durable for external use.
Typical Use: Internal door panels (often within flush doors), non-structural components, internal linings.
Timber Products (Engineered Wood):
1. Plywood: Description: Sheets of wood veneer glued together in alternating grain directions.
Typical Use: Common for flush door skins/panels, creating a stable and flat surface, and for internal door components. It is less prone to warping than solid timber boards of similar dimensions.
2. MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) / HDF (High Density Fibreboard): Description: Engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood and softwood residuals into wood fibres, combining them with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure.
Typical Use: Door panels (especially in raised panel designs), decorative mouldings, and non-structural door components, offering a uniform finish and good machinability. Not ideal for external use without specific treatments.
Worked Example (Conceptual Application): A builder in Port Harcourt is constructing a client's residential building and needs to select timber for the main entrance door and the internal bedroom doors.
For the main entrance door: This door will be exposed to significant rainfall and humidity. The builder should consider Iroko or Teak due to their excellent natural resistance to moisture, termites, and decay, ensuring long-term durability and security in the humid climate. * For internal bedroom doors: These doors are not exposed to the elements and require less extreme durability. Mahogany, Sapele, or Afara* would be suitable choices, offering a good balance of aesthetics, workability, and cost-effectiveness for internal applications. Plywood could also be used for flush door panels.
Introduction (10 minutes): Teacher Activity: Begin the lesson by asking students to observe the classroom and identify any openings. Lead a brief discussion on what these openings are (doors, windows) and their initial thoughts on why they are there. Ask students to name any materials they think are used for these openings.
Student Activity: Identify and discuss classroom openings. Share initial ideas on materials and purposes.
Activity 1: Identifying Nigerian Timbers for Openings (25 minutes): Teacher Activity: Present physical samples of different Nigerian timbers (e.g., Iroko, Mahogany, Sapele, Afara, Obeche plywood) if available. If not, use high-quality images or laminated charts showing these timbers with their local names. Explain the distinguishing characteristics of each timber (colour, grain pattern, hardness, weight, common local names). Discuss typical applications for each timber in doors and windows (e.g., external frames, internal panels). Facilitate a sensory exploration if samples are available (touch, observe grain, feel weight).
Student Activity: Observe and handle timber samples/images. Take notes on the characteristics, local names, and uses of each timber presented. Participate in a guided identification exercise where the teacher points to a timber, and students name it and a typical use.
Activity 2: Understanding Functions of Openings (20 minutes): Teacher Activity: Divide students into small groups (e.g., 3-4 students per group). Instruct each group to brainstorm and list as many functions of doors and windows in a building as they can, considering both residential and commercial contexts in Nigeria. Encourage them to think about health, safety, comfort, and aesthetics. After 10 minutes, ask each group to present their findings to the class. Consolidate their points on the board, adding any functions they might have missed and providing clear explanations.
Student Activity: Work collaboratively in groups to brainstorm and list functions of doors and windows. Present their group's list to the class. Actively participate in the whole-class discussion, asking questions and clarifying points.
Activity 3: Application and Case Study (15 minutes): Teacher Activity: Present a scenario: "A client in Abuja wants to build a new house. They are concerned about both security and energy efficiency (keeping the house cool). Which types of timber would you recommend for the main entrance door and the windows, and why?" Guide students to consider the properties of the timbers discussed and the specific climate concerns.
Student Activity: In groups, discuss the scenario and formulate recommendations. Justify their choices based on the properties of Nigerian timbers and the functions of openings. Share their recommendations and justifications with the class. The teacher should facilitate these questions, allowing students to attempt them individually or in pairs, then discussing the solutions collectively.
Question: Name two Nigerian timbers that are highly suitable for external window frames exposed to harsh weather conditions, and briefly state a reason for each choice.
Solution: Iroko (Oji): Known for its exceptional durability and natural resistance to termites, decay, and moisture, making it ideal for outdoor exposure.
Teak (Teeku): Highly resistant to weather, insects, and fungal attacks, coupled with high strength, ensures longevity in challenging environments.
Commentary: Emphasizes selection based on environmental factors and timber properties.
Question: List three distinct functions that windows provide in a typical Nigerian residential building.
Solution: Provision of natural light: Reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Ventilation: Allows air circulation, cooling the interior and expelling stale air, crucial in Nigeria's warm climate.
Aesthetic appeal: Enhances the visual design and beauty of the building.
Commentary: Focuses on core functionalities beyond just entry/exit.
Question: Explain how plywood is used in the construction of doors, and state one advantage it offers compared to solid timber for that specific application.
Solution: Usage: Plywood is commonly used as the skin or panel material for flush doors. It forms the flat surfaces on both sides of a door frame (stiles and rails).
Advantage: Plywood is more stable and less prone to warping, shrinking, or swelling compared to large solid timber panels, especially in varying humidity levels. It also offers a cost-effective solution for creating wide, flat door surfaces.
Commentary: Differentiates between solid timber and engineered wood products for specific uses.
Community and Local Economy: Students can connect this topic to the work of local carpenters, joiners, and sawmills in their communities. Many small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria specialize in timber processing and the fabrication of doors and windows, providing employment and contributing to the local economy. A field trip to a local carpentry workshop would demonstrate practical application.
Environmental and Sustainable Practices: The discussion of Nigerian timbers can be linked to the importance of sustainable forestry and responsible sourcing. Students can learn about the impact of deforestation and the need for government regulations (e.g., from the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, FRIN) to ensure timbers are harvested responsibly, preserving Nigeria's natural resources for future generations.
Homeownership and Cost Implications: Understanding different timber types and their properties directly impacts the cost and longevity of a building. Homeowners in Nigeria often need to make decisions about which materials to use for their doors and windows based on budget, durability, and aesthetic preferences. This knowledge empowers students to advise future clients or make informed personal decisions as prospective homeowners.