| A |
|
| Air
Chambers |
Small
honeycomb spaces within the sash and frame which help to insulate and
strengthen the window |
| Air
Infiltration |
The
amount of air that passes between a window sash and frame. In windows it
is measured in terms of cubic feet or air per minute, per square foot of
area. The lower the number, the less air the window lets pass through. |
| Air
Latch |
Latch
mechanism on the interior face of the sash that retains the window in a
partially open position for ventilation. |
| Angled
Exterior |
A
sloped extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing
dimension to the exterior of the window. |
| Argon
Gas |
An
odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic gas which is six times denser
than air. It is used to replace air between the glass panes to reduce
temperature transfer. |
| Awning
Window |
A
top-hinged window that swings outward for ventilation. |
|
 |
| B |
|
| Balance
System |
Device
for holding vertically sliding sash in any desired position through the
use of a spring or weight to counterbalance the weight of the sash. |
| Bay
Window |
An angled
combination of three windows that project out from the wall of the home.
The windows are commonly joined at 30- or 45-degree angles. |
| Beveled
Exterior |
An
angled extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing
dimension to the exterior of the window. |
| Bow
Window |
An
angled combination of windows in 3-, 4- or 5-lite configurations. The
windows are attached at 10-degree angles to project a more circular,
arced appearance. |
| Butyl |
A rubber
material that seals the glass to the spacer, creating an airtight and
watertight IG unit. Butyl has the lowest gas permeability of all
rubbers. |
|
|
| C |
|
| Cam
Lock and Keeper |
The
mechanisms which pull the sash together when placed in the locked
position. |
| Capillary
Tubes |
Small
hollow tubes which penetrate the spacer system of an insulating glass
unit. They allow pressure equalization between manufacturing locations,
shipping, and installation locations. Since the insulating glass unit is
not permanently sealed, the air space cannot be filled with Argon gas. |
| Casement
Window |
A
window with a side-hinged sash that opens outward for ventilation. |
| Center
of Glass U- and R-values |
The
U- and R-values measured from the center of the glass to 2-1/2"
from the frame. |
| Condensation
Resistance Factor |
A measure
of the effectiveness of a window or glazing system to reduce the
potential for condensation. The higher the condensation resistance
factor, the more efficient the window and glazing system. |
| Conduction |
Energy
transfer from one material to another by direct contact. |
| Convection |
Heat
transfer by currents that flow from a warm surface to a colder one. |
| Coved
Exterior |
An
arced extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing
dimension to the exterior of the window. |
|
|
| D |
|
| Dead-air
space |
The
space between the panes of glass of an I.G. Unit. |
| Deadlite |
A
piece of glass or IGU with a sash profile around it; not set within the
main frame of a window unit. |
| Desiccant |
A
material used in insulating glass to absorb water vapor which causes
fogging. |
| Double
Hung Window |
A
window that has two operable sash which slide vertically. |
| Double-strength
Glass |
Glass
with a thickness of approximately 1/8". |
| Dry
glazing |
An
alternative method of placing glass in a door or window. No glazing
mastic is used. Dry glazing is recommended whenever reflective coatings
are glazed to first surface. |
| Dual-durometer |
An
elastomeric material with two different degrees of hardness. |
|
|
| E |
|
| Egress
Code |
The code
that requires a minimum opening of a window for persons to exit or
firefighters to enter a building. |
| ENERGY
STAR® |
ENERGY
STAR® is an independent U.S. government program establishing a standard
set of guidelines to recognize the energy efficiency of various
products. ENERGY STAR® guidelines are used in conjunction with a
variety of building materials, including windows and patio doors. Over
the past ten years, ENERGY STAR® guidelines have helped double the
efficiency of windows they endorse |
| Extruded
screen frame |
Different
from a Roll formed frame, this frame is pressed through a form or die. |
|
|
| F |
|
| Fusion-welded |
The
process of joining materials by melting them together with extreme heat
(over 500ºF), resulting in the materials uniting into a one-piece unit. |
|
|
| G |
|
| Geometric |
Specially
designed windows classified as either Straight line Geometrics such as
rectangles, triangles, trapezoid, octagons, pentagons, etc., or Radius
Geometrics which include half-rounds, quarter-rounds, full-rounds,
sectors, ellipses, eyebrows, etc. |
| Glass |
An
inorganic transparent material composed of sand (silica), soda (sodium
bicarbonate), and lime (calcium carbonate) with small quantities of
alumina, boric or magnesia oxides. Available Styles: Clear, Bronze, Grey
and Tinted. · Glazing - The process of sealing the glass to the sash. |
| Glazing
Bead |
A
strip of vinyl which surrounds the edge of the glass and holds it in
place in conjunction with other sealants. |
| Grids |
Decorative
horizontal or vertical bars installed between the glass panes to create
the appearance of the sash being dividing into smaller lites of glass |
|
|
| H |
|
| Head |
The
horizontal top portion of the main frame. |
| Head
expander |
A
vinyl shape cut the width of a product and placed on the head, fitting
over it snugly. This piece is used as a filler to expand or lengthen the
unit from the head and take up the gap in the opening between the unit
and the opening in the unit. |
| Hook
accessory |
Accessories
that snap to the hook frame and provide easy installation. |
| Hopper |
A
window with a bottom-hinged sash that opens inward for ventilation. |
|
|
| I |
Back
to top |
| I.G.
Unit (Insulating Glass Unit) |
Two
or more lites of glass separated by a spacer and hermetically sealed at
the glass edges. |
|
|
| J |
|
| J-channel |
Integral
extension on the outside of a new construction window that eases
installation on siding applications. |
| Jamb |
Vertical
sections of the main frame. |
|
|
| K |
|
| Keeper
Rail |
The
horizontal section of the sash where the keeper is attached. |
| Keeper
Stile |
The
vertical section of the sash where the keeper is attached. |
| Krypton
Gas |
An
inert, odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic gas which is about 12
times denser than air. It is used to replace air between the glass panes
to reduce temperature transfer and deter convection. Used when a higher
performance is desired than that produced with Argon gas. |
|
|
| L |
|
| Laminated
Glass |
Two
or more pieces of glass bonded together over a plastic interlayer. |
| Lift
Handle |
A
handhold for raising and lowering the sash. Handle implies that the
handhold is not continuous across the sash. |
| Lift
Rail |
A
handhold for raising and lowering the sash. Rail implies that the
handhold is continuous across the sash. |
| Lite |
A
unit of glass in a window. |
| Lock
Rail |
The
horizontal section of the sash where the cam lock is attached. |
| Lock
Stile |
The
vertical section of the sash where the cam lock is attached. |
| Low
E (Emissivity) Glass |
Glass
with a transparent metallic oxide coating applied onto or into a glass
surface. The coating allows short-wave energy to pass through but
reflects long-wave infrared energy which improves the U-value. |
|
|
| M |
|
| Main
Frame |
The
head, sill and jambs sections of a window. |
| Mechanically
Fastened Frame |
Refers
to frames fastened with screws. |
| Meeting
Rail |
The
horizontal sections of a pair of sash that meet when the sash are
closed. |
| Meeting
Stile |
The
vertical section of a pair of sash that meet when the sash are closed. |
| Mesh |
Fabric
made of either fiberglass or aluminum, used in the making of screens. |
| Mullion |
A
vertical or horizontal connecting unit between two or more windows. |
|
|
| N |
|
| Nailing
Fin |
An
extrusion attached to the main frame of a window used to secure the unit
to the rough opening. |
|
|
| O |
|
| Obscure
Glass |
Glass
that has been made translucent instead of transparent. |
| Oriel |
A
window with the meeting rail located off center of the frame. Most
oriels have a 60/40 configuration. |
| Overlapping
and Interlocking Meeting Rail |
A
patented meeting rail which overlaps and interlocks both sash. |
|
|
| P |
|
| Patio
door |
A
glass door that slides opens and close on adjustable tandem rollers.
Available in 2- or 3-lite configurations with the operable panel
available in any position. |
| Picture
Window |
A
window that has no moveable sash. |
| Pivot
Alignment System |
An
exclusive hinge-type system used on hung windows. This system attaches
the sash to the balance, creating perfect alignment between the sash and
frame, while allowing the sash to tilt inward for cleaning. |
| Pull
Handle |
A
handhold for sliding the sash back and forth. Handle implies that the
handhold is not continuous across the sash. |
| Pull
rail |
A
handhold for sliding the sash back and forth. Rail implies that the
handhold is continuous across the sash. |
| Pull
Stile |
A
handhold for sliding the sash back and forth. Stile implies that the
handhold is continuous across the sash. |
|
|
| R |
|
| R-value |
Resistance
a material has to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the
resistance. |
| Radiation |
Wave
energy transmitted directly from one object to another through the
atmosphere or through transparent or translucent materials. The energy
radiated is transmitted, absorbed, reflected or a combination of all
three. |
| Rail |
The
horizontal sections of the sash. |
| Raised
Exterior |
An
angled extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically pleasing
dimension to the exterior of the window |
| Relative
Humidity Condensation Point |
The
relative humidity level at which visible water vapor or other liquid
vapor begins to form on the surface of the sash or frame, based on an
inside temperature of 70E F and an outside temperature of 0E F. The
higher the percentage, the more moisture the air can hold before
condensation will occur. |
| Roll
formed Screen Frame |
A
method of fabrication in which a flat (usually metal) material is placed
on a machine where the material is formed into shape using differently
shaped rollers and pressure. |
|
|
| S |
|
| Sash |
The
part of the window which contains the glass. |
| Sash
Alignment System |
An
exclusive hinge-type system used on hung windows. This system attaches
the sash to the balance, creating perfect alignment between the sash and
frame, while allowing the sash to tilt inward for cleaning. |
| Shading
Coefficient |
The
ratio of solar heat that is transferred through a glazing material
relative to the solar heat transferred through 1/8" clear glass.
The lower the number the more efficient the window is at reducing solar
heat gains. |
| Sill |
The
horizontal, bottom section of the main frame. |
| Sill
Extender |
An
extrusion that is attached to the bottom of the window to cover the gap
between the sill and the rough opening. |
| Single
Hung |
A
window in which one sash slides vertically and the other sash is fixed. |
| Single-strength
Glass |
Glass
with a thickness of approximately 3/32". |
| Slider
Window |
A
window in which the sash move horizontally. Sliders are available in a
2- or 3-lite configuration, with the 3-lite having operable end vents. |
| Sloped
sill |
The
sill of the window that has a downward slope to the outside. This sill
has sufficient degree of slope to aid in water runoff. |
| Solar
Heat Gain |
The
percentage of heat gained from both direct sunlight and absorbed heat.
The smaller the number, the greater the ability to reduce solar heat
gain. |
| Spacer |
Material
placed between two or more pieces of glass in order to maintain a
uniform width between the glass, and prevent sealant distortion. |
| Stepped
Sill |
An
exclusive triple-stepped, sloped sill design. |
| Stile |
The
vertical sections of the sash. |
| Stucco
Fin |
An
extrusion used in stucco home installations that is attached to the main
frame to create a smooth, finished look for both the window and the
stucco. |
|
|
| T |
|
| Tape
Glazing |
Two-sided
tape used to secure and seal the glass to the sash. |
| Tempered
Glass |
Glass
with a surface compression of not less than 10,000 psi, or an edge
compression of not less than 9,700 psi. When broken, the glass breaks
into pebbles instead of shards. |
| Tilt
Latch |
Mechanism
that unlocks the sash and allows it to tilt in from the main frame. |
| Tilt-in/lift-out
sash |
A
sash that can be tilted to the interior and removed for cleaning and is
manufactured by welding. |
| Total
Unit U- and R-values |
The
U- and R-values of the window calculated from the average of the center
of glass, edge of glass and frame U- and R-values. It is the reciprocal
of the R-value. |
| Tri-durometer |
An
elastomeric material with three different degrees of hardness. |
|
|
| U |
|
| U-value |
Amount
of heat transferred through a material. The lower the U-value, the
slower the rate of heat flow and the better the insulating quality. |
| UV
Block |
The
percent of ultraviolet rays blocked from being transmitted through the
glass. The higher the number the lower the percentage of ultraviolet
rays transmitted through the window. |
|
|
| V |
|
| Vent-lok |
Latch
mechanism on the interior face of the sash which retains the window in a
partially open position for ventilation. |
| Visible
Light Transmittance |
The
percentage of light that is transmitted through glass in the visible
light spectrum (380 to 720 nanometers). The higher the number the higher
the percentage of visible light transmitted through the window. |
|
|
| W |
|
| Weather-stripping |
Material
used to form a weather-resistant seal around operable sash. |
| Weep
flaps |
A
weep hole that is covered with vinyl flap that allows water to escape,
while keeping insects out. |
| Weep
Holes |
Small
openings designed to allow water to escape that might otherwise
accumulate in a window's sill. |
| Weep
Slots |
Slots
or holes in the sill (bottom) member of the sash frame that provides an
outdoor release of infiltrated rainwater. |
| Wet
Glazing |
A
silicone-based substance used to secure and seal the glass to the sash. |
| Wood
blocks |
Pieces
of plywood that come in different thickness, depending on the depth of
the hook of the frame. They are used to make the window flush with the
opening it is filling. They are also used to assist in pre-mulling
windows together and give the screw more to bite into when joining the
windows. |
