Air Leakage Rating
A measure of the rate of infiltration around a window in the presence of a strong wind. The lower a replacement window’s air leakage rating, the better its airtightness.
A term referring to any variety of window units with either some degree of curved frame or geometric shape.
Bay Replacement window
A composite of three or more replacement windows, usually made up of a large center unit and two flanking units at 30°, 45° or 90° angles to the wall.
A composite of four or more window units in a radial or bow formation.
Outside casing around window to cover jambs and through which nails are driven to install the window.
Inside casing is a flat, decorative moulding that covers the inside edge of the jambs and the rough openings between the window unit and the wall. Outside casing (or brick mould) serves the same purpose, as well as being an installation device through which nails are driven to install the window unit to the wall.
The flow of heat through a solid material, such as glass or wood, and from one material to another in an assembly, such as a window, through direct contact.
The flow of heat through a circulating gas or liquid, such as the air in a room or the air or gas between window panes.
Use of two panes of glass in a window to increase energy efficiency and provide other performance benefits.
A moulding placed on the top of the head brick mould or casing of a window frame.
An architectural term referring to the arrangement of replacement windows in a wall or building.
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 sliding door
A sliding door which has wider panel members around the glass, giving the appearance of a French hinged door.
A gas other than air placed between window glazing panes to reduce the U-factor by suppressing conduction and convection.
The glass panes or lites in a sash of a window. Also the act of installing lites of glass in a window sash.
A vinyl or wood strip applied to the window sash around the perimeter of the glass.
The main horizontal member forming the top of the window or door frame.
A window accessory that slides over the window head frame and can be adjusted to eliminate any gap between the window head and the rough opening height.
A window that is hinged at the bottom and has a top sash that swings inward.
The inadvertent flow of air into a building through breaks in the exterior surfaces of the building. It can occur through joints and cracks around window frames, sashes and glazings.
The piece of window hardware that engages with the sweep lock to draw the window sashes together to ensure security and proper weatherseal.
A handle or grip extruded on the bottom of the lower sash rail of a double-hung window to make it easier to raise or lower the sash.
Glazing framed by muntins and/or sash in a window or door.
A common term used to refer to glass which has a microwscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window glazing surface primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow through the window.
The openings in a masonry wall to accept a window or door unit, the same as a rough opening in a frame wall.
The vertical or horizontal divisions or joints between single windows in a multiple window unit.
A short bar used to separate glass in a sash into multiple lights. Also called a windowpane divider or grid.
A metal arm and gear which allows for easy operation or closing of projecting casement replacement windows.
A large, arch-top window flanked by smaller windows on each side.
Usually refers to the separate panel or panels in a door frame.
A mode of operation for ventilating windows which generally means the sash pivots on a central axis and turns 90° or more.
The transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves from one separate surface to another. Energy from the sun reaches the earth by radiation, and a person’s body can lose heat to a cold window surface in a similar way.
The horizontal members of a window sash or door panel.
The opening left in a frame wall to receive a window or door unit.
A measure of thermal resistance in heat transfer. The higher the R-value of an energy-saving glass package, the greater resistance to heat flow and a higher insulating value.
A constance force balance system which assist in raising double-hung sashes and keep the sashes in any placed position by counterbalancing the weight of the sashes.
Generally, a cam-action lock applied to the lock rails of a sliding window or at the open edges of a projecting window to pull the lock and keeper rails together to seal the sash tightly, both for security and weathertightness.
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.
Wood wedges used to secure the window or door unit in a rough or masonry opening in a square, level, and plumb position during and after installation.
Tall, narrow, fixed, or operating sash on either or both sides of a door to light an entryway or vestibule.
Horizontal member that forms the bottom of a window frame.
Sill (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 lite
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 light.
A double-hung type of window in which the top sash is fixed or inoperable.
Solar heat gain coefficient
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. A window with a lower SHGC transmits less solar heat, and provides better shading (less visible transmittance VT).
The vertical side member of a window, sash, or door panel.
Our exclusive insulating foam specifically formulated for vinyl profile windows to enhance a window’s insulation (R-value).
A smaller window above a door or another window.
A sash glazed with three lites of glass, enclosing two separate air spaces.
U-factor (aka U-value)
A measure of heat transmission through a wall or window. Lower window U-factors have greater resistance to heat flow and better insulating value.
The percentage or fraction of visible light transmitted by a window. The higher the VT the more daylight entering a window.
Force exerted on a surface by moving air.