Window Glossary

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ARGON GLASS

An odorless, colorless, non toxic gas that is inserted between the panes of glass to reduce temperature transfer.

AWNING WINDOW

A top hinged window that swings outward for ventilation.

BALANCE SYSTEM

Device for holding a vertically sliding sash in any desired position through the use of a spring or weight to counterbalance the weight of sash.

BAY WINDOW

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

BOW WINDOW

An angled combination of windows in 3,4 to 5 lite configurations. The windows are attached at 10-degree angles to project a more circular arced appearance.

CAM LOCk AND KEEPER

The mechanism that pull sash together that pull the sash together when placed in a lock position.

CASEMENT WINDOW

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

CONDUCTION

Energy transfer by from one material to another by direct contact.

CONVECTION

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

DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW

A window that has two operable sash that slide vertically.

DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS

Glass with a thickness of approx 1/8″.

INSULATING GLASS UNIT (IG UNIT)

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

LAMINATED GLASS

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

LIFT RAIL

A handhold for raising and lowering the sash. Rail implies that the handhold is continuous across the sash.

LOW E

Glass with a transparent metallic oxide coating appliede onto or into glass surface. The coating allows short wave energy to pass through, but reflects long wave infrared energy, which improves the U-VALUE.

MEETING RAIL

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

ORIEL

A window with a meeting rail located off center of frame, most have a 60/40 configuration.

PICTURE WINDOW

A window that has no moveable sash.

SASH

The part of the window that contains the gas.

SLIDER WINDOW

A window in which the sash moves horizontally. Sliders are available in 2 or 3 lite configurations, witht the 3 lite having the operable end vents.

R VALUE

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

U VALUE

Amount of heat transfer through a material. The lower the U VALUE, the slower the rate of heat flow and the better the insulating quality.

TILT LATCH

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

TEMPERED GLASS

Specialty glass that disintergrates into small, rounded particles instead of large, sharp fragments.

SOLAR HEAT GAIN

The amount of heat absorbed into a home from the rays of sunlight.