Window Glossary

Small honeycomb spaces within the sash and frame which help to insulate and strengthen the window.

The amount of the 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.

Latch Mechanism in the interior face of the sash. That retains the window in a partially open position for ventilation.

A sloped extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.

Geometric windows of various shapes and styles.

An odorless, colorless,tasteless, nontoxic gas which is six times denser than air. It can be used to replace air between the glass panes to reduce temperature transfer.

A top-hinged window that swings outward for ventilation.

Device for holding vertically siding sash in any desired position through the use of a spring or a weight to counter balance the weight of the sash.

An angled combination of three windows that project out from a wall of a home. The windows are commonly joined at 30 or 45 degree angles.

An angled extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the 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, arched appearance.

A rubber material that seals the glass to the spacer creating and airtight and watertight IG unit. Butyl has the lowest gas per-meability of all rubbers.

The mechanisms which pulls the sash together when placed in a locked position.

Small hollow tubes which penetrate the spacer system of an insulating glass unit. They allow pressure equalization between the manufacturing locations, shipping and installation locations. Since the insulating glass unit is not permanently sealed the air space cannot be filled with Argon gas.

A window with a side-hinged sash that opens outward for ventilation.

The U and R values measured from the center of the glass to 2-1/2” from the frame.

A double-hung window 2with a large lower Sash.

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.

Energy transfer from one material to another by direct contact.

Heat transfer by currents that flow from a warm surface to a colder one.

An arched extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.

The space between the panes of glass of an I.G unit.

A piece of glass or IGH with a sash profile around it, not set within the main frame of the window unit.

A window that has two operable sash and which slide vertically.

A glass with a thickness of approximately 1/8 “

An alternative method of placing glass in a door or window. No glazing material is used. Dry glazing is recommended whenever reflective coating are glazed to first surface.

An elastomeric material with two different degrees of hardness.

The code that requires a minimum opening of a window for persons to exit or firefighters to enter a ‘building.

Energy Star is an independent U.S Government program establishing a standard set of guide-lines to recognize the energy efficiency of various products.. Energy Star guidelines are used in conjuction with a variety of building materials, including windows and patio doors.

Different from a Roll formed screen frame, this frame is pressed through a form or dye.

The process of joining materials by melting them together with extreme heat (over 500F) resulting in the materials uniting into a one-piece unit.

Specialty designed windows classified as either straight line Geometrics such as rectangles, triangles, trapezoid, octagons, pentagons, etc

An inorganic transparent material composed of sand (silica) soda (sodium bicarbonate) and lime (calcium carbonate) with mall quantities of alumina,boric or magnesia oxides.

The process of sealing the glass to the sash or frasme.

A strip of vinyl which surrounds the edge of the glass and holds it in place in conjunction withg other sealants.

Decorative horizontal or vertical bars installed between the glass panes to create the appearance of the sash being divided into smaller lites of glasses.

The Horizontal top portion of the main frame.

A vinyl shape cut the width of a product and placed on the head fitting over snugly. The piece is used as a filter to expand or lengthen the unit from the head and take up gap in the opening between the unit and the opening in the unit.

A window with a bottom-hinged sash that opens inward for ventilation.

A window with a top-hinged sash that opens inward for ventilation.

Two of more lites of glass separated by a spacer and hermetically sealed at the glass edges.

Integral Extension on the outside of a new construction window that eases installation on siding applications.

Vertical sections of the main frame.

The horizontal section of the sash where the keeper is attached.

The vertical section of the sash where the keeper is attached.

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 tempurature transfer and deter convection. Used when higher performance desired than that produced by with Argon gas.

Two or more pieces of glass bonded together over a plastic interlayer.

A handhold fir raising and lowering the sash. Handle implies that the handhold is not continuous across the sash.

A handhold for raising and lowering the sahs, rail implies that the handhold is continuous across the sash.

A unit of glass in a window

The horizontal section of the sash where the cam lock is attached.

The vertical section of a sash where the cam lock is attached

A 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.

The head, sill and jambs sections of a window

Refers to frames fastened with scrws

The horizontal sections of a pair of sash that meet when the sash are closed.

The vertical section of a pair of sash that meet when the sash are closed

Fabric made of either fiberglass or aluminum , ,used in the making of screens.

A vertical or horizontal connecting piece between two or more windows.

An extension attached to the main frame of a window. Used to secure the unit to the rough opening.

A window with the meeting rail located off center of the frame. Most orials have a 60/40 configuration.

Patented meeting rail which overlapsand interlocks both sash.

A glass door that slides open and closes on adjustable tandem rollers.

A window that has no movable sash

An 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.

A handhold for sliding the sash back and forth. Handle implies that the handhold is not continuous across the sash.

A handhold for sliding sash back and forth. Stile implies that the handhold is continuous across the sash.

Resistance a material has to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance.

The horizontal sections of the sash.

An angled extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.

A method of fabrication in which a flat (usually Metal) material is placed on a machine where the material is formed into a shape using differently shaped rollers and pressure

The part of the window which contains glass.

The ratio of the solar heat that is transferred through a glazing material relative to the solar heat transferred though 1/8” clear glass. The lower the number the more efficient the window is at reducing solar heat gains.

The horizontal bottom section of the main frame. Sill Extension: An extrusion that is attached to the bottom of the window to cover the gap between the sill and the rough opening.

A window in which one sash slides vertically and the other sash is fixed.

A glass with a thickness of approximately 3/32”

A window in which the sash move horizontally sliders are available in a 2-3 lite configuration, with the 3 lite having operable end vents

The sill of a window that has a downward slope to the outside.

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.

Material placed between two or more pieces of glass, and prevent sealant distortion.

The vertical section of the sash.

Two-sided tape used to secure and seal the glass to the sash.

A glass with a surface compression. When broken, the glass breaks into pebbles instead of shards.

Mechanism that unlocks the sash and allows it to tile in from the main frame.

A sash that can be lifted 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 the glass, edge of glass and frame U and R values. It is the reciprocal of the R value.

A horizontal picture window placed above a window or door.

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.

The percent of ultraviolet rays blocked frm being transmitted through the glass. The higher the number the lower the percentage of ultraviolet rays transmitted through the window.

Latch mechanism on the interior face of the sash which retains the window in a partially open position for ventilation

The percentage of light that is transferred through glass in the visable light spectrum. The higher the number the higher percentage of visable light transferred through the window.

Material used to form a weather resistant seal

Small openings designed to allow water to escape that might otherwise accumulate in the window’s sill weep Slots: The slots or holes in the sill (bottom) member of the sash frame that provides and outdoor release of in filtered rainwater.

A weep hole that is covered with a flap that allows water to escape, while keeping insects out.

A silicone-based substance used to secure and seal the glass to the sash.