What is a Window Reveal? Complete Guide

A window reveal is simply the timber frame or surround that finishes the internal edge of a window opening. It’s often mistaken for the windowsill, but technically, the sill is just the bottom horizontal part.

Window reveals come in a variety of sizes, materials, and styles to suit different looks and practical needs in the home. Understanding the basics is a great first step before choosing the right reveal for your project.

What does a window reveal look like?

Basically, a reveal is the timber surround of a window that the window frame itself is attached to.

Imagine this: if you sit a small pot plant against the window in your loungeroom so it can get some extra sun, you’ll likely rest the plant on the flat timber edge that juts out slightly away from the glass. This space is the window reveal.

 

 

This example shows a ‘boxed window reveal’, which is one of the most common types of reveal seen in a home.

While that’s a basic description of a reveal, the appearance of a window reveal can change depending on the type of reveal you use. Reveals come in a range of different styles for various applications.

What is the purpose of a window reveal?

A window reveal is used to fix the window itself into the stud wall frame. The main purpose of a reveal—regardless of which type you choose—is to provide extra support to the aluminium frame of the window unit. While the fundamental purpose of all window reveals is to provide stability, each type is suited to a different function.

Beyond structural support, window reveals also play a role in the overall energy efficiency of a home. When installed correctly, they help seal the junction between the window and wall, reducing gaps where air or moisture could enter. This can improve insulation, limit energy loss and support compliance with modern energy standards like the NCC.

Do you always need a window reveal?

There are some instances where you can install a window without needing a window reveal for additional stability. For example, if you’re putting a window into a single-skinned brick wall—commonly used in residential garages—you can use ‘brick piers’ to stabilise the installation, rather than a reveal. However, around 90% of the time you see a window, there’ll be some kind of window reveal in the configuration.

What are the main types of window reveal?

Let’s take a look at the most common types of window reveals, and the scenarios where you’d likely choose each one.

Boxed window reveal

The most common type of reveal is ‘boxed’. In this configuration, there is a window reveal fitted to all four sides of the window. That is, the flat timber surface jutting out from the glass exists on every ‘side’ of the window.

When would you use a boxed window reveal?

A boxed window reveal is generally used when you intend to fit architraves around the full perimeter of the window. An architrave is the decorative trim or moulding that frames the edge of the window on the interior wall, helping to cover the join between the wall and the window reveal for a neat, finished look. A boxed reveal is available on all A&L window products.

Here’s how a boxed reveal looks in the home:

No Bottom Reveal 

The next most popular type of reveal is the No Bottom Reveal (NBR). An NBR reveal is similar to a boxed configuration, but with the timber reveal removed from the bottom of the window.

An NBR reveal is featured on the head and both jambs, but not on the sill of the window.

NBR is standard on all Sliding, Hinged, French and Bi-Fold Doors.

Did you know: Each side of a window has a specific technical name. The vertical ‘sides’ of a window are called jambs; the horizontal top is called the head; and the horizontal bottom is the sill.

When would you use an NBR configuration?

An NBR configuration is typically used in one of three scenarios:

1. When a window is required to sit directly on the floor of a home (in floor-to-ceiling windows, for example). In this case, the flooring can meet directly with the window to create a sense of cohesion and continuity. This is most commonly used where the flooring of a home is tiles, laminate, or wood.
2. In a bathroom, where the window is required to meet with the edge (or ‘hob’) of a bath. In this case, the bottom timber reveal is usually replaced with tiles. The purpose of this configuration is to guard against the timber material of the reveal being damaged by exposure to water from the bath.
3. In a kitchen, where the bottom of the window is required to meet with a benchtop. In this case, the NBR creates the opportunity for the window to sit directly against the material of the bench (again creating a sense of seamlessness). This configuration is often used when the window is doubly functioning as a splashback.

Here’s how an NBR looks in the home:

Plaster return or ‘square set’ reveal

A plaster return reveal is similar to a boxed reveal, but it does not feature an architrave. As a result, there’s no timber window frame visible. This allows plaster to continue seamlessly from the wall into the glass. 

When would you use a plaster return/square set reveal?

A plaster return reveal is generally used in a bathroom or a kitchen, because you can tile the plaster all the way up to the frame of the window. The tile then protects the plaster and reveal from water damage. Corking or silicone can be applied between the tiling and the window to create a sealant and protect against exposure to water.

Here’s how a plaster return/square set reveal looks in the home:

This image shows a Boutique Offset Plaster Reveal option.

Advanced window reveal configurations

In addition to the three main types listed above, you have a range of slightly more sophisticated reveal options to choose from. The right reveal for you depends on functional and aesthetic goals you’re looking to achieve in the home. Alternative types of reveals include:

• Offset reveal
• NBR full height offset sill
• NBR full height inset sill
• NBR offset plaster reveal
• NBR full height inline sill plaster

Our experienced team members can help you choose the most appropriate reveal configuration for your specific needs.

How can window reveals improve my home’s energy efficiency?

Window reveals may seem like a finishing touch, but they play a meaningful role in improving the thermal performance of your windows.

A common ‘weak point’ in a home’s ability to trap heat or keep it out is air leakage around its windows. Even with double glazing and other energy efficiency technologies, a poorly constructed reveal can actually undermine your window’s performance. This can lead to heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

A properly fitted reveal helps close the gap between the aluminium window frame and the stud wall, reducing opportunities for thermal bridging (when heat moves through a poorly insulated part of a building). This helps to keep your home better sealed, improving insulation and limiting energy loss around the window.

When paired with high-performance technologies like A&L’s ComfortSmart Hybrid thermally broken sash and panel, and glazing options like Low-E coated glass or double glazing, the reveal helps maintain the integrity of your entire window system. Together, these elements work to reduce heat transfer, manage solar gain, which are key contributors toward meeting the 7-star energy rating requirements set by the NCC 2022.

What materials can I choose for a reveal?

Regardless of the type of reveal you choose, the finish will always be a variety of timber. We offer a range of timber options depending on your location.

In Victoria and Southern New South Wales, you can choose from:

1. Medium Density Fibreboard (or MDF): An engineered product made from a combination of wood fibres from softwoods and hardwoods. The fibres are combined with a wax and resin binder and pre-primed, which eliminates the need for pre-coating.
2. Finger Jointed Pine: A knot-free, pre-primed paint grade timber, joined end-to-end using a finger joint system. This joining method ensures timber offcuts can be repurposed, promoting a more sustainable approach to residential building. The strength of the timber is enhanced by glue bonds within the finger joints.
3. Kiln Dried Hardwood (KDHW): A raw, hardwood timber—mainly Tasmanian Oak—the kiln drying process promotes robustness and strong protection against shrinking that can occur from overexposure to moisture.

In Queensland and Northern New South Wales, you can choose from:

1. High Moisture Resistant Medium Density Fibreboard: Similar to Victoria’s MDF, but with added protection against the increased humidity associated with Queensland’s climate.
2. Finger Jointed Pine: As per above.
3. Light Organic Solvent Preservative Pine (LOSP): Treated with a spirit-based solvent to provide protection against decay caused by insects and termites. This option does not come pre-primed.

How do I choose the right reveal option?

There are no hard or fast rules as to which type of reveal should be used in any given situation. The choice ultimately comes down to your personal preference and where the window appears throughout the home.

With that said, it is helpful to consider the following questions before talking to a window specialist:

• Is there a requirement for the window to sit directly against the floor?
• Is the windowsill height set to be the same height as any benchtops?
• Is there a requirement for a window to sit against the edge of a bath?
• Is there any requirement to have tiling feature all the way to the glass in any window?

If the answer is yes to any of these, you might consider NBR or plaster return reveals.

Looking for more information?

While window reveals might seem straightforward, the right configuration alongside other energy efficiency technologies can make a big impact on the look and performance of your windows.

For more insight into different types of window reveals that are available, get in touch with the team today!