GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

AWNING
An awning can be made of aluminum or canvas and is used to provide sun protection to a window.

AWNING WINDOW
An awning window has a screen on the inside and a gear or lever that pushes the bottom of the sash out while the top of the sash moves down a track toward the center of the opening. This type of window usually has a width that is greater than its height.

Bay Window

BAY
A bay window is an angled combination of windows that extend outside the wall of the house forming a recess area on the inside. The center window, about half the total width of the bay, is usually a picture window. The ends can be fixed or open for ventilation.

BOW
A bow window is an arcing combination of windows that extend outside the wall of the house forming a recess area on the inside. The individual glass panels are divided into equal widths. The ends can be fixed or open for ventilation.

BRICK MOULD
The exterior wood or vinyl trim that goes between the window jamb and the siding is called the brick mould trim.

C

CASEMENT
A casement window has a screen on the inside and a gear or lever that pushes one side of the sash out while the opposite side moves several inches down a track toward the center of the opening. This type of window usually has a height that is greater than its width.

D

DAYLIGHT TRANSMITTANCE
Measures the amount of visible light that is transmitted through the glass.

DEW POINT
When warm air comes in contact with a colder surface, such as a glass containing a drink with ice cubes or a cold window, water vapor from the air can start condensing on the glass or window. The temperature at which the condensation starts to happen for the relative humidity is called the dew point. If the relative humidity decreases or the temperature increases, the dew point raises to a higher temperature.

DIVIDED LITES
In traditional window construction, the sash would be divided into separate panes of glass forming a rectangular, prairie, or diamond pattern. Modern windows with insulated glass put the dividers between the glass rather than having individual panes.

DOORHOOD
An aluminum awning or covering that is used above a doorway for protection from weather and sun.

DOUBLE GLAZING (DUAL GLAZED)
When two pieces of glass are separated by a spacer and sealed or glazed together, it is called double or dual glazing. This dead space creates an insulating barrier to the outside elements. Most modern windows are constructed of double glazed glass. The best windows use a non-metal spacer (Super Spacer) to further reduce cold transfer from the outside glass to the inside glass.

DOUBLE HUNG
A double hung window has two moveable sashes and an outside screen. The sash will slide up and down for ventilation. Double hung windows are usually taller than they are wide.

F

FIXED WINDOW (PICTURE WINDOW)
A fixed window does not open for ventilation. This window is also called a picture window or transom if it is placed above another window or door. Fixed windows can have many shapes – rectangular, _ or _ circle, or arched.

FUSION WELDED
When corners are heated to nearly a molten state then pressed together, a fusion weld results making a strong, weather-tight seal. This joint is stronger than the surrounding PVC.

G

GARDEN WINDOW
A specialty window constructed of a wood interior and vinyl exterior. The garden window forms a glass box projecting to the outside of the house about 15" beyond the outside wall. The roof is made of a sloping piece of glass. The two sides have casement windows that open for ventilation. This window is often used over kitchen sinks or dining areas and makes a great site for houseplants.

GEOMETRIC WINDOW
Sometimes referred to as an architectural window, these windows can be designed with arcs or angles to add detail to a room.

GLIDER WINDOW
Sometimes a sliding window is called a gliding window. This window has two sashes that slide horizontally. A three-section sliding window is also available for wider widths. The screen is on the outside. This type of window is usually wider than it is tall.

GRIDS (OR GRILLS)
A pattern of crosspieces used between the panels of glass to form a design. The grids simulate divided lites of older windows. On some entry doors these patterns can also be on the exterior surface of the dual glazing.

H

HUMIDITY
Water vapor or moisture present in the air is called humidity. This number is usually given as a percentage. This is a percentage of how much water vapor is present in the air at a given temperature. At 0% there is no moisture in the air. And at 100% the air cannot hold any more moisture – usually it is raining at 100% humidity. Warmer air can hold more moisture than colder air. That is why this is called the relative humidity. The amount of moisture in 50% humidity at 40 degrees is less than the amount of moisture the air can hold at 50% humidity at 70 degrees. When warm air comes in contact with a colder surface, such as a glass containing a drink with ice cubes or a cold window, water vapor from the air can start condensing on the glass or window. The temperature at which the condensation starts to happen for the relative humidity is called the dew point.

I

INSULATED GLASS UNIT (IG UNIT)
Sometimes a double glazed glass panel is called an insulated glass unit. It gets its name because of the increased thermal efficiency this type of glasses has over a single piece of glass (single glazing).

J

JAMB STOPS
An extension of double hung jambs on North Star windows projects toward the center of the window and forms a weather seal with the weather-stripping on the exterior side of the sash. This dramatically reduces air infiltration rates around the sash. This stop is not present on most windows.

LOW-CONDUCTIVE SPACER
A spacer used to separate two panes of glass that conducts heat/cold transfers slower than aluminum spacers is called a low-conductive spacer. Windows made with low-conductive spacers, such as Super Spacer will be warmer at the edge of the glass than windows made with metal spacers. This Super Spacer also reduces condensation appearing on the glass because the glass is warmer.

M

MAIN FRAME
The top, side jambs, and the sill make up what is often called the main frame of the window. This is the part of the framework that is attached to your home and holds the glass panels or sash.

MULLION
When you want to join one or more windows together, a fitting piece or mullion is used to attach them. In this way two or three double hung or casement windows can be joined together to make spectacular window walls. A fixed lite or transom can be joined by a mullion to the top of another window style to add window height in rooms with high ceilings.

MUNTIN
Sometimes called a grid or grill these cross pieces form a design between the pieces of glass. On some entry doors these patterns can also be on the exterior surface of the dual glazing.

N

NAILING FIN
A piece of vinyl or metal band can be attached to the four sides of a window. This band or fin is used to nail through when installing a window before the installation of siding.

O

OBSCURE GLASS
Glass that you cannot see through is called obscure. This glass can be made by frosting or sand etching to give the surface a white or milky look. This type of glass is often used in bathrooms to obscure a view into the room, but still let in light.

ORIEL WINDOW
Most windows have two glass panels that are the same height. But some times there is a difference in the height. Some times in a double hung window, the top glass panel can be either taller or shorter than the bottom glass panel. This window with unequal glass panels is called an oriel window.

P

PATIO DOOR
A door is often called a patio door when it opens onto a patio or porch. One of the two panels slides to the left or right, while the other panel is stationary. Either door can be set to move or be stationary to make an easy entrance. These doors offer a great view and a large area for ventilation. The screen is on a track on the outside unlike some brands that have their screens on the inside. The amount of airflow can easily be adjusted by how far the moveable door is slid open.

PICTURE WINDOW (FIXED WINDOW)
A picture window does not open for ventilation. This window is also sometimes called a fixed window. If placed above another window, a picture window is sometimes called a transom. Fixed windows can have many shapes – rectangular, 1/4 or 1/2 circle, or arched.

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) or Vinyl
PVC is an excellent building material for windows and siding. PVC has the same R-values as wood. There is little or no maintenance on vinyl – no painting, caulking, or scraping.

R

R-VALUE
The resistance of a material to heat flow is its R-value. The higher the R-value the better the material insulates against heat transfer. R-value can be compared to the U-value by dividing 1 by the U-value. (R=1/U)

S

SINGLE GLAZED
Older styles of windows only held one piece of glass. They are called single glazed. Many older homes still have glazed windows with outside storm windows. Modern windows are dual glazed.

SINGLE HUNG WINDOW
A window that has one sash or glass panel that moves up and down, while the other sash is fixed is called a single hung window. Usually the top glass panel is fixed.

SINGLE SLIDING WINDOW (OR SINGLE GLIDING WINDOW)
A window having one sash or glass panel that moves left and right and one sash that is fixed is called a single sliding window.

T

THERMO-PANE GLASS
Trade name referring to two pieces of glass sealed together to form an insulated piece of glass.

TWIN-PANE
Another name for insulated glass unit made up of two pieces of glass separated by a spacer.

U

U-VALUE
The rate at which heat flows through a glazing system is called the U-value. The lower the U-value the better the insulating quality. U-value can be compared to the R-value by dividing 1 by the R-value. (U=1/R) A U-value of 0.5 equals an R-value of 2.

UV LIGHT
Ultra-Violet light is a part of the light spectrum from the sun that can cause fading and rotting of drapes, carpet, or furniture. Coatings such as Low-E will reduce the amount of UV light that comes through your window’s glass.

DuHadaway Corp.
2214 Wayne Trace | Fort Wayne, IN 46803 | 260.426.2000