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Head
The main horizontal member forming the top of the window or door frame.
Header
A horizontal framing member placed over the rough opening of a window
to prevent the weight of wall or roof from resting on the window frame.
Hopper
A window unit in which the top of the sash swings inward, most often used
as a basement window.
Hung window
a window in which the operating sash(es) move up and down within the master
frame. The weight of each operating sash is counterbalanced with balances
to permit easy operation.
I
Insulating glass (IG)
Insulating glass is made up to two lites of glass separated by a spacer
around the perimeter, with a sealant plied to bond the plates to the spacer to
form a sealed unit. Insulating glass is common in multi-story office buildings
and is being used more often in residential construction. For hurricane protec-
tion, insulating glass provides the added benefit of placing two panes of glass,
with the interior pane being lam~nated, between building occupants and exterior
elements. Also, as hurricane-resistant code requirements move north, insulating
glass is necessary to meet thermal requirements.
J
Jamb
The main vertical members forming the sides of a window or door frame.
Jamb liner
In a modern wood double-hung window, the track installed inside the jambs
on which the window sashes slide.
K
Knocked down (KD)
Unassembled window or door unit.
L
Laminated glass
Laminated glass is used in most blast-resistant and hurricane-resistant
glazing. This type of glass is composed of a glass "sandwich" of two bonded
lites of glass w~th a plastic interlayer between them. Laminated glass may
.fracture, but fragments remair~ bonded to the interlayer and in place inside the
window if properly glazed.
Lift
A handle or grip that is applied or is an integral part of the bottom
rail of the lower sash (top rail of upper sash) of a double-hung window
to make it easier to raise or lower the sash.
Light or lite
Glazing framed by muntins and/or sash in a window or door.
Light shaft
An insulated shaft built to direct the light from a roof window or skylight
through the attic to the room below.
Low E glass
a transparent coating applied to a glass surface to separate long wave
(heat) energy and short wave (light) energy. The long wave (radiant heat
you feel) is reflected back to the heat source (outside in summer, inside
in winter). The short wave (light) is allowed to pass through the coating
M
Masonry opening
The space in a masonry wall left open for windows or door.
Mortise
A slot or rectangular cavity cut into a piece of wood or vinyl to receive
another part.
Mortise and tenon
A strong wood or vinyl joint made by fitting together a mortise in one
board or extrusion and a matching projecting member (tenon) in the other.
Found most often in wood windows and mechanically fastened (not welded)
vinyl windows.
Mullion
A wood, vinyl, metal (or a combination of the three) part used to structurally
join two window or door units.
Muntin
Applies to any short or light bar, either vertical or horizontal, used
to separate glass in a sash into multiple lites. Also called a grille
or grid.
Muntin Bar
Any small bar that divides a windows glass. Also called a grille or windowpane
divider.
O
Obscure glass
mainly used for decoration, diffusion, or privacy. The pattern is rolled
into the hot glass during glass manufacturing.
Oriel window
A double-hung window in which the lower sash is shorter than the upper
sash. Opposite of a cottage window.
P
Pane
A framed sheet of glass within a window.
Parting stop
In a double-hung window, a strip of wood applied to the jamb to separate
the sash.
Passive solar collector
Any glazed area in the walls or roof of a building pointed to the south
to take maximum advantage of the sun's heat without a mechanical (or active)
method of storage or distribution of the heat.
Picture window
Non-venting or non-operable window. Also know as a fixed window.
PSF
pounds per square foot - a measurement of air pressure used in window
testing, e.g., 1.56 psf (25 mph) or 6.24 psf (50 mph).
R
Rail
The top and bottom horizontal members of the framework of a window or
door sash.
Rough opening
The framed opening in a wall into which a window or door unit is to be
installed, typically ½" larger than the unit size of a door
or window in new construction
R-Value
Resistance to thermal transfer or heat flow. Higher R-value numbers indicate
greater insulating value. R value = the number 1 divided by the U value.
S
Sash
A single assembly of stiles and rails made into a frame for holding glass.
Sash balance
A system of weights, cords and/or coiled springs which assist in raising
double-hung sash and tend to keep the sash in any placed position by counterbalancing
the weight of the sash.
Sash cord
In double-hung windows, the rope or chain which attaches the sash to the
counter balance.
Sash lift
A handle or grip that is applied or is an integral part of the bottom
rail of the lower sash (top rail of upper sash) of a double-hung window
to make it easier to raise or lower the sash.
Sash weights
In older double-hung windows, the concealed cast-iron weights which are
used to counterbalance the sash.
Screens
usually mounted on the window or door exterior, depending on sash, vent,
or panel operation. Screens provide ventilation and transparency and are
usually one of three types: insect screens to resist insects, protection
screens to resist glass breakage and casual vandalism, or security screens
to resist forced entry or escape.
Seat board
A flat board cut to fit the contour of a bow or bay window and installed
between the sills and the flat wall surface, providing a seat or shelf
space.
Shims
Wood wedges (often wood shingles) used to secure the window or door unit
in the rough or masonry opening in a square, level and plumb position
during and after installation.
Sidelights
Narrow fixed units mulled or joined to door units to give a more open
appearance.
Sill
The main horizontal member forming the bottom of the frame of a window
or door.
Simulated divided light
A method of constructing windows in which muntins are affixed to the inside
and/or outside of a panel of insulated glass to simulate the look of a
true divided light.
Single glazing
Use of single panes of glass in a window. Not as energy-efficient as double
glazing.
Single-hung
A type of window in which the top sash is fixed or inoperable.
Sliding patio door
a door in which the operating panel slides sideways within the master
frame. Each operating panel has rollers to permit easy operation. Also
called a patio door. Usually used in applications where passage to exterior
patios is required, while providing weather resistance and security. Not
to be confused with mall or entrance sliding doors which provide security,
but little or no weather resistance. Also called sliding glass door.
Sliding window
a window in which the operating sash slide sideways within the master
frame. Each operating sash has glides or rollers to permit easy operation.
Also called gliders or gliding window.
Sloped Sill Adapter
Used to cover the gap between the old sloped sill window and the new block
frame window. It adapts a new window to the existing sloping sill. Used
in replacement window applications.
Solar gain
The process of providing a net heat gain within a structure, over and
above the normal heat loss, by passive collection of the sun's heat through
windows and other glazed areas.
Solar Heat Gain
Coefficient Measures the amount of radiant heat transfer from the sun
through a window. The lower the number means the less amount of solar
heat transfer through the window (lower is better in the south). CT (SHGC).
Measures the amount of radiant Systems SHGC = .27, this equates to a 48%
thermal
Stile
The main vertical members of the framework of a window or door sash.
Stop
A molding used to hold, position or separate window parts.
T
Tempered glass
Tempered and heat-strengthened glass is less brittle, but cannot be cut. These types of glass
can be up to two-to-four times stronger than annealed glass. If tempered glass
is broken, it disintegrates into small fragments. For this reason, tempered glass
is commonly used in swinging doors, sliding patio doors and storefront windows.
Tenon
A rectangular projection cut out of a piece of wood or vinyl for insertion
into a mortise.
Thermal break
The addition of a thermal insulating material between two thermally conductive
materials.
Transom
A small window that fits over the top of a door or window, primarily for
additional light and aesthetic value.
True divided light
A term which refers to windows in which multiple individual panes of glass
or lights are assembled in the sash using muntins.
U
U-value
Rate of heat flow-value through the complete heat barrier, from room air
to outside air. The lower the U-value, the better the insulating value.
This is a better tool to use when comparing window insulating performance.
United Inches (UI)
the sum total of one window width and one window height expressed in inches.
(i.e. 36" x 52" window = 88 u.i.)
Unison lock
A casement locking system which secures the window at two locking points
by operation of one handle.
V
Vapor barrier
A watertight material used to prevent the passage of moisture into or
through floors, walls and ceilings.
Vent Unit
A window or door unit that opens or operates.
Vinyl
A plastic material used for cladding or entire window units.
W
Weep slot or Weep hole
An opening in a window sill and/or sash rail to allow water to drain to
the exterior.
Window size
Always expressed as width first, then height.
Window style
The description of the way a window operates, e.g., hung, sliding, casement,
etc.
Weather stripping
A material or device used to seal the openings, gaps or cracks of venting
window and door units to prevent water and air infiltration.
Windload
Force exerted on a surface by moving air.
X
"XX" sliding window
Since "X" indicates the moving sash, this is a window in which
both sash operate.
"XO" sliding window
Since "O" indicates the fixed sash, this is a window in which
the left sash slides and right sash is fixed, looking from the outside
in.
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