A Jaali is a window or screen mesh carved into wood or stone by craftsmen. Commonly found in Islamic and East Asian architecture, it was initially developed as an architectural solution for combatting extreme heat in arid climates and regulating light.

Jaali allows light and air while minimizing sunlight and rain and cooling by passive ventilation. One of the main advantages of Jali is the ability to see across without being seen. However, it depends a lot on the size of the openings and the amount of light they transmit. These perforated screens are often used outside houses, like windows, partitions, skylights, door panels, railings, and more. These are the best to hide bathroom plumbing and ventilation systems.

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Jaali at amber fort, Jaipur_©Jaipurdiaries

Types of Jaali 

1. Terracotta Jaali

Terracotta’s coolness helps to lower the temperature. Jali perforation can be used as a class display system. The thickness of the Jali earthenware ensures minimal resistance and structural support. The fields of application are extensive- entrancing, façade, visual barrier, balustrades, and function wall.

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Terracotta Jaali_© Citadelinfraas

For building purposes, terracotta has meaning in a world where energy, environmental and financial difficulties cannot be ignored. In this type of clay, bricks, coatings, and tiles are energy efficient and economical.
Terracotta blocks store thermal energy during daylight and release it slowly at night. It is therefore less expensive to heat the building during cold times and to cool it in hot weather. Rain screens and umbrellas made from the material have also been proven to reduce power consumption.

2. MDF Jaali

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) – engineered wood consisting of wood residues, combined with wax, fiber, and resins, provides a durable jali wall. MDF Jali is one of the fastest and easiest ways for freshening up your environment. MDF jaali is used for forwarding elevation, room bulkhead, roof ceiling, and doors. It is also used in modular kitchens, halls, cupboards, LED panels, bathroom vanities, etc.

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MDF Jaali_©Design Café

3. GRC Jaali

GRC – Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete is popularly known as GRC or GFRC around the Globe. It is a composite mixture of cement, fine aggregates, water, chemical additives, and alkaline-resistant glass fibers. With its low energy consumption and natural raw materials, this ecological composite can be transformed into a wide range of products. 

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GRC Jaali_©Pinterest

GRC nets are widely used as one of the best decorative elements for the inside and outside of the building or house. GRC screens are usually used for roof partitions and as a wall for gardens. GRC screens are developed based on needs and requirements, and they vary in size.

4. Stone Jaali

Jali carved in stone comes in a wide variety of designs, templates, and colors. Each carved jaalis is specifically engineered to produce spellbinding patterns and complex designs that seamlessly add charm and beauty to your houses, hotels, resorts, offices, or any building for that matter.
Jali depicts a perforated stone screen, usually with a decorative motif. Featuring finely sculpted geometric and floral motifs, these perforated screens were an integral part of Mughal architecture. Stone jaalis are used on the edges of platforms, roadways, and terraces, as well as on the edges of projecting chhajja, jharokhas, and gaukhs (balconies), as well as chhatris.

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Stone Jaali_©Flickr

5. Brick Jaali 

Brick Jaali is a wall with many perforations in it that are formed because of various models of brick layouts. It provides ventilation as well as it also provides privacy and prevents birds and animals from entering. There are small openings in the brick jaali as a result of which when the air breaks in it get cooler (Venturi effect).

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Brick Jaali_©Morphogenesis

Reducing the number of blocks required has an impact on cost savings. It has also reduced mortar consumption, accelerating construction and eliminating the need for much more expensive glass-paned windows. Openings in the jaali effectively reduce heat input during the day. They also block the entrance of direct sunlight, making them attractive interiors.

6. Metal Jaali

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Metal Jaali_©Contemporist

Modern jali stainless steel bulkhead gives a feeling of modernity and sophistication. Designers use these panels for balcony railings, windows, and deck parapets inside and outside buildings. Moreover, stainless steel is available in various shades and does not rust, making it both robust and durable.

7. PVC Jaali

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PVC Jaali_©bigdiyideas.com/

PVC Jali designs sparkle with elegance. Mesh or geometrical cutting works well for PVC sheet partitions because of the fineness of the finish. The walls of the cabins, decorative partitions, ceilings, lobbies, hotels, and restaurants all enjoy PVC jaalis. Due to their finesse, PVC jaalis are ideal for particular patterns and themes.

8. WPC Jaali

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WPC Jaali_©thearchitectsdiary.com/

The wood jali adds a rustic twist to a home. The jaalis, made of wood, usually feature ethnic designs, with an elegant and elegant finish. Wood-plastic composite (WPC) is a common material for partitions, doors, and windows. WPC panels are an amazing material for termite-proof furniture.
This is one of the most important advantages of WPC wood compared to natural wood. They are also the perfect solution for outdoor applications. WPC wood is biodegradable. It can be completely recyclable with recyclable materials such as timber, agricultural waste, and plastics used in its production.

9. Acrylic Jaali

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Acrylic Jaali_©in.pinterest.com/dmvehan

An acrylic sheet is a plastic shape with several advantages over standard glass and can be used as an alternative in many applications. One of the biggest advantages of using acrylic plastic instead of glass is that, although it is more durable, it also weighs 50% less than glass. It has excellent clarity of vision. It is half the weight of glass and ideal for precision processing and is very resistant to many different chemicals.

10. CNC Jaali

CNC Jaali_©makerbhawan.com/product/vintage-round-interior-cnc-jali-design/

CNC cutting design or jali designs — took home and business spaces by the wind. These intricate designs are versatile and can be applied to make your design look like ethnic or contemporary designs.
The intricate drawings of jali CNC take their prophecy from Mashrabiya, an Arabic expression for trellis windows in stone or groves that have spread beyond India, through Islamic architecture and our Mughal emperors. These patterns are today personified on solid jalis to create soothing and enchanting toppings, and give them a contemporary character.

References:

  • http://www.citadelinfraas.com/terracotta_jali.html
  • https://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/Building-with-lsquojaali-walls/article15536945.ece
  • https://architropics.com/brick-jali-wall-provides-privacy-and-ventilation/
  • https://www.meghmaniglobal.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-wpc-boards/
  • https://ecoste.in/cnc-cutting-a-reinvent-in-the-wheel-of-wpc-jali-525/#:~:text=A%20hot%20trend%20in%20the,resemble%20ethnic%20or%20contemporary%20designs.
  • https://makerbhawan.com/product/vintage-round-interior-cnc-jali-design/
Author

Juhi Goyal is a budding architect as well as a passionate poet. She believes that as an architect, you should be courageous enough to find something you love. She is a curious learner with the aim to improve her design skills, to maintain her creative spirit. Apart from architecture, she is a poet and has a keen interest in the exploration of new places and people.