| A |
Top |
| Air Chambers |
Small honeycomb spaces within the sash and frame which help to insulate and strengthen the window |
| Awning Window |
A top-hinged window that swings outward for ventilation. |
| B |
Top |
| 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. |
| Bow Window |
An angled combination of windows in 3-, 4- or 5- lite or more configurations. The windows are attached at 10-degree angles to project a more circular, arced appearance. |
| C |
Top |
| Caming |
Metal dividers used in art glass or stain glass. Separates different pieces of glasses to give definition and add aesthetic value. |
| 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. |
| Cottage or Oriel |
A window with the meeting rail located off center of the frame. Most have a 60/40 configuration. |
| D |
Top |
| Dead-air space |
The space between the panes of glass of an I.G. 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. |
| E |
Top |
| 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 |
| F |
Top |
| Fenestration |
Any window or door opening |
| Fusion-welded |
The process of joining materials by melting them together with extreme heat (over 500°F), resulting in the materials uniting into a one-piece unit. |
| G |
Top |
| GBGs |
Grids or grilles Between the Glass, also referred grilles in the airspace. Can be made of aluminum, metals, or wood |
| 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 |
| Grilles |
A removable grid usually on the inside of a window sometimes in between the glass. Materials are typically wood sometimes plastic or metal |
| H |
Top |
| Heat Gain |
The amount of heat gained from both direct sunlight and absorbed heat. On many windows there is an effort to reduce heat gain, particularly from sun light. |
| Hopper |
A window with a bottom-hinged sash that opens inward for ventilation. |
| I |
Top |
| IG |
Insulated glass is two pieces of glass sealed together for the purpose of better insulation. |
| Inert Gases |
These are natural gases sealed in between layers of glass offering an additional layer of insulation protection. Typical gases used are Argon and Krypton, both will dissipate from between the layers of glass on an average of 1 -2% per year. Usually these gases are an option from most window and door companies. |
| J |
Top |
| Jamb |
A jamb is the frame that surrounds a new construction window or door product. |
| J-channel |
Integral extension on the outside of a new construction window that eases installation on siding applications. |
| L |
Top |
| Laminated Glass |
Two or more pieces of glass bonded together over a plastic interlayer. |
| LoE |
Also known as Low emissivity glass. This is a metallic coating used to reflect heat (energy) back to its source. It is applied as a thin coat on the panes of glass. Can be applied to more than one piece of glass. Also can be applied as an after market product. LoE glass is not the same as tinting. LoE will cut back on the fading of your inside materials, such as curtain, rugs ect. LoE glass may or may not have an inert gas such as argon in between the glass layers. |
| M |
Top |
| Mechanically Fastened Frame |
Refers to frames fastened with screws. |
| Mullion |
A vertical or horizontal connecting unit between two or more windows. |
| N |
Top |
| Nailing Fin |
An extrusion attached to the main frame of a window used to secure the unit to the rough opening. |
| New Construction Windows or Doors |
This is a window or door that comes with its own frame. These products can be installed into new openings or an existing opening that has been properly prepped to receive a new construction frame. |
| O |
Top |
| Obscure Glass |
Glass that has been made translucent instead of transparent. |
| P |
Top |
| Patio door |
A glass door that slides opens and close on adjustable tandem rollers. Available in 1- 2- 3- or 4 lite configurations with the operable panel available in any position. |
| PVD |
Physical vapor deposition- a thin film added to the finish of hardware to prevent tarnishing and pitting |
| R |
Top |
| Replacement Windows or Doors |
This is a catch all phrase for a product that is designed to be used when old windows are removed (usually leaving the old window or door frame) from a home, and a new window unit is installed. |
| R-value |
Resistance a material has to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance. |
| S |
Top |
| Sash |
This the term for the part that holds the window, for example in a double hung window there is a top window (sash) and a bottom. |
| SDL |
Simulated Divided Lite grids. This permanent grids is on the outside and the inside of windows. Materials are wood, or aluminum can be a combination of both. |
| Sill |
The horizontal, bottom section of the main frame. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| T |
Top |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| U |
Top |
| 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. |
| W |
Top |
| Warm Edge Spacer |
These are the metal part of a window that joins together two or pieces of glass. Warm edge technology allows for less heat loss and warmer interior temperatures during the colder winter months. |
| Weather-stripping |
Material used to form a weather-resistant seal around operable sash. |
| Weep Holes |
Small openings designed to allow water to escape that might otherwise accumulate in a window's sill. |
| Z |
Top |
| Zo e shield |
Two pieces of glass with easy care exterior coating and multiple layers of LoE coatings applied. This glass has warm edge spacer and argon gas. |
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