Replacement Windows and Doors -
Product Terminology
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Awning window:
An operating window that is hinged from the top and rotates outward.
Argon
Gas: An inert gas that is pumped into a sealed unit usually in combination with low-E to help reduce heat loss in the home.
Astragal:
The center member of a double door, which is attached to the fixed or inactive door panel.
Bay window::
A composite of three or more windows, usually made up of a large center unit and two flanking units at 30°, 45° or 90° angles to the wall.
Bow window:
A composite of four or more window units in a radial or bow formation.
Brick mold:
Outside casing clipped into and around window as an optional trim.
Casement:
An operating window that rotates out like a door.
Casing:
Inside casing is a flat, decorative molding which covers the inside edge of the jambs and the rough openings between the window unit and the wall. Outside casing (or Brick Mold) serves the same purpose.
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.
Circle head or Roundtop:
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.
Clerestory:
A window near the top of an outside wall.
Cottage double-hung:
A double-hung window in which the upper sash is shorter than the lower sash.
Cripples:
The short 2" x 4" members used to frame under the sill or above the header in a rough opening for a window in a frame wall.
Curb:
A watertight wall or frame used to raise slope glazing above the surface of the roof as a preventive measure against water leakage from melting snow or rain run-off.
Dormer:
A space which protrudes from the roof, 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.
Drip cap:
A molding placed on the top of the head brick mold or casing of a window frame.
D-Five Cove:
A style of vinyl siding.
Egress:
A way out is required under the National Building Code for at least one bedroom opening window. It requires 3.54 square feet and 15" of clear opening in both directions. This will allow an escape route in the case of a fire.
Emissivity:
Tendency to emission; comparative facility of emission, or rate at which emission takes place; specif. (Physics), the rate of emission of heat from a bounding surface per degree of temperature difference between the surface and surrounding substances (called by Fourier External Conductivity). As in Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass
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 metal or plastic strip attached to the outside of the head or side jambs to provide a weather barrier, preventing leakage between the frame and the wall.
French hinged door:
Hinged door(s) which have wider panel members around the glass.
French sliding door:
A sliding door which has wider panel members around the glass, giving the appearance of a French hinged door.
Foam Core:
An aluminum backed and perforated 1/4" foam material applied to the wall prior to the siding to add to the insulation value.
Gasket:
A pliable, flexible continuous strip of material used to affect a watertight seal between sash and frame of roof windows much like the seal around a refrigerator door.
Glazing:
The glass panes or lites in the sash of a window. Also the act of installing lites of glass in a window sash.
Glazing bead:
A plastic or wood strip applied to the window sash around the perimeter of the glass.
Glazing compound:
A pliable substance applied between the window sash and the lites of glass to seal against the elements and sometimes to adhere the glass to the sash.
Glazing stop:
The part of the sash or door panel which holds the glass in place.
Head:
The main horizontal member forming the top of the window or door frame.
Head board:
A flat board cut to fit the contour of a bow or bay window and installed between the head jambs and the flat wall surface to finish off that area which would normally be ceiling.
Header:
A heavy beam extended across the top of the rough opening to prevent the weight of wall or roof from resting on the window frame.
Hopper:
A window with a top sash that swings inward.
Jack stud:
Framing members, generally 2" x 4"s, which form the inside of the window or door rough opening. They run from the sole plate to the header, which is supported by them.
Jamb liner:
Metal or plastic covering the inside surface and head jambs of sliding windows.
J Return:
A siding trim that's shaped like a J and is used around windows and doors to trim off the siding.
Keeper:
The protruding, hook-shaped part of a casement window lock, which is mounted on the inside surface of the sash stile.
Lift:
A handle or grip installed on the bottom rail of the lower sash of a double-hung window to make it easier to raise or lower the sash.
Lites:
Glazing framed by muntins and/or sash in a window or door.
Low-E glass:
A common term used to refer to glass which has low emissivity due to a film or metallic coating on the glass or suspended between the two lites of glass to restrict the passage of radiant heat.
Low-E Squared glass:
Similar to Low-E glass but also greatly reduces the amount of heat gain in the home.
Mullion:
The vertical or horizontal divisions or joints between single windows in a multiple window unit.
Muntin:
A pattern of grids that are placed in-between two pieces of glass for decorative purposes.
Operator:
A metal arm and gear which allows for easy operation or closing of projecting windows.
Outer frame member:
The exterior protruding portion of a window frame which has no exterior casing.
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 door frame.
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 frame casing:
The use of casing on all four sides of the interior of a window, replacing the stool and apron at the sill. Also know as full-bound casing.
Pivot:
A mode of operation for ventilating windows which generally means the sash pivots on a central axis and turns 90 or more degrees.
Rafter:
Structural members of a roof that support the roof load and run from the ridge to the eaves (overhang).
Rails:
The horizontal members of a window sash or door panel.
Rough opening:
The opening left in a frame wall to receive a window or door unit.
Rough sill:
The horizontal rough framing member, usually two inches by four inches, which forms the bottom of the rough opening. It is toe-nailed into the jack studs and is supported by cripples.
Sash balance:
A system of weights, cords and/or coiled springs which assist in raising double-hung sashes and tend to keep the sash in any placed position by counterbalancing the weight of the sashes.
Sash lock:
Generally, a cam-action type lock applied to the check rails of a sliding window or at the open edges of a projecting window to pull the check rails tightly together or to seal the sash tightly to the frame, both for security and weather-tightness.
Sash weights:
In older double-hung windows, the concealed cast-iron weights that are used to counterbalance the sash.
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.
Side Lites:
Tall, narrow, fixed or operating sash on either or both sides of a door to light an entryway or vestibule.
Sill:
Horizontal member that forms the bottom of a window frame.
Sill course (soldier course):
The row of brick, cement blocks or stones laid across the bottom of a masonry opening which lie under the outside edge of the window sill.
Simulated divided Lites:
A method of constructing windows in which muntins are affixed to the inside and outside of a panel of insulating glass to simulate the look of true divided lites.
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.
Slope glazing:
Any glazed opening in a sloped roof or wall, such as a stationary skylight or fully operable roof window.
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.
Sole plate:
The bottom horizontal member in a frame wall. Usually either single or double 2" x 4"s. It is nailed to the deck or rough floor and the studs are nailed into it.
Stile:
The vertical side member of a window sash or door panel.
Stool:
Inside horizontal trim member of a window sash or door panel.
Stop:
A wood trim member nailed to the window frame to hold, position or separate window parts. The stop is often molded into the jamb liners on sliding windows.
Stud:
Vertical wood framing members which form a frame wall. In normal construction these are eight foot-long 2" x 4"s. Super J: Similar to J-Return but with a wider face.
Transom:
A smaller window above a door or another window. A transom joint is also the horizontal joining area between two window units which are stacked one on top of the other.
Triple glazing:
A sash glazed with three lites of glass, enclosing two separate air spaces.
True divided Lites:
A term which refers to windows in which multiple individual panes of glass or lites are assembled in the sash using muntins.
U-Factor:
A measure of heat transmission through a wall or window. The lower the U-factor, the better the insulating value.
Unison lock:
A casement locking system which secures the window at two or more locking points by operation of one handle.
Vapor barrier:
A watertight material used to prevent the passage of moisture into or through floors, walls and ceilings.
Venting unit:
A window or door unit that opens or operates.
Wind-load:
Force exerted on a surface by moving air.
Windowpane divider:
A short bar used to separate glass in a sash into multiple lites. Also called a muntin or a grille.
