| Learn to speak windows Are you considering replacing the windows in your home or trying to decide about the windows in your new house? Here are some terms which will make you more fluent in “windowese.” (more) Learn to speak windows Are you considering replacing the windows in your home or trying to decide about the windows in your new house? Here are some terms which will make you more fluent in “windowese.” Astragal: The center member of a double door, which is attached to the fixed or inactive door panel. Awning window: A window unit in which the bottom of the sash swings outward. Bay window: A composite of three windows, usually made up of a large center unit and two flanking units at 30- or 45-degree angles to the wall. Bow window: A composite of four or more window units in a radial or bow formation. Brickmold: A type of external casing that frames windows and doors. Casement window: A window unit in which the single sash cranks outward, to the right or left. Casing: Molding of various widths, thickness and shapes applied to the framework of window and door units. Check rail: On a double-hung window, the bottom rail of the upper sash and the upper rail of the lower sash, where the lock is mounted. Circlehead: A generic term referring to any of a variety of window units with one or more curved frame members, often used over another window or door opening. Cladding: An aluminum material locked to the outside faces of many Pella products to provide a durable, low-maintenance exterior surface. Clerestory window: A venting or fixed window above other windows or doors on an upper outside wall of a room. Cottage double-hung: A double-hung window in which the upper sash is shorter than the lower sash. Dormer: A space protruding from the roof of a house, usually including one or more windows. Double glazing: Use of two panes of glass in a window to increase energy efficiency and provide other performance benefits. Double-hung window: A window unit that has two operable sashes which move vertically in the frame. Drip cap: A molding placed on the top of the head brickmold or casing of a window frame. Dual durometer: A material that has two or more levels of flexibility. An example is the weatherstripping used between the frame and sash of a Pella casement window. Extrusion: A form produced by forcing material through a die. Pella window frames are clad with extruded aluminum. Finger-jointing: A means of joining individual pieces of wood together to form longer lengths. The ends of the pieces are machined to form a set of interlocking fingers, which are then coated with adhesive and meshed together under pressure. Fixed: Non-venting or non-operable. Flashing: A thin strip of metal or synthetic material that diverts water away from a window or skylight. Frame: The enclosure in which window sash or door panels are mounted. French hinged door: Hinged door(s) that has (have) wider panel members around the glass. French sliding door: A sliding door having wider panel members around the glass, giving the appearance of a French hinged door. Glazing: Glass in a window or door; the act or process of fitting with glass. Glazing stop: The part of the sash or door panel holding the glass in place. Grille: A term referring to windowpane dividers or muntins, usually a type of assembly to be detached for cleaning. Head: The main horizontal member forming the top of the window or doorframe. 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. Insulating glass (IG): A combination of two or more panes of glass with a hermetically sealed air space between the panes of glass. This space may or may not be filled with an inert gas, such as argon. Jamb: The main vertical members forming the sides of a window or doorframe. Jamb liner: In a modern double-hung window, the track installed inside the jambs on which the window sashes slide. Knocked down (KD): Unassembled window or door unit. Light: A separately framed piece of glass in a window or door. A traditional double-hung window, for instance, often has several lights divided by muntins in each sash. Such windows are described as six-over-six, eight-over-one, twelve-over-twelve, etc., to indicate the number of lights in each sash. Sometimes spelled 'lite.' Low-emissivity (low-E) glass: A special type of glass having a transparent material fused into its surface acting as a thermal mirror. 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 to receive another part. Mortise-and-tenon: A strong wood joint made by fitting together a mortise in one board and a matching projecting member (tenon) in the other. Mullion: A wood or metal 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 lights. Also called a windowpane divider or a grille. Palladian window: A large, arch-top window flanked by smaller windows on each side. Panel: Usually refers to the separate panel or panels in a doorframe. Parting stop: In a double-hung window, a strip of wood applied to the jamb to separate the sash. Rail: The top and bottom horizontal members of the framework of a window sash. Rough opening: The framed opening in a wall into which a window or door unit is to be installed. R-Value: Resistance to thermal transfer or heat flow. Higher R-value numbers indicate greater insulating value. Sash: A single assembly of stiles and rails made into a frame for holding glass. Sash cord: In double-hung windows, the rope or chain attaching the sash to the counter balance. Sash lift: A protruding handle screwed to the inside bottom rail of the lower sash on a double-hung window. Sash weights: The concealed cast-iron weights used to counterbalance the sash in older double-hung windows. 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. Single glazing: Use of single panes of glass in a window. Not as energy-efficient as double glazing. Single-hung: A double-hung type of window in which the top sash is fixed or inoperable. Stile: The main vertical members of the framework of a sash. Stool: An interior trim piece on a window extending the sill and acts as a narrow shelf. Stop: A molding used to hold, position or separate window parts. Tempered glass: Glass manufactured to withstand greater than normal forces on its surface. When it breaks, it shatters into small pieces to reduce hazard. Tenon: A rectangular projection cut out of a piece of wood 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 referring to windows in which multiple individual panes of glass or lights are assembled in the sash using muntins. 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. Unison lock: A casement locking system securing the window at two locking points by operation of one handle. Vent Unit: A window or door unit that opens or operates. Vinyl: A plastic material used by some window manufacturers for cladding or entire window units. Weatherstripping: 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. | 
More Home Improvement Hints and Tips