| 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 |
| AAMA |
American Architectural Manufacturers
Association - a window industry organization that establishes voluntary
standards, e.g., AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97, certification to those standards,
and designations, e.g., H-C45 for the TRACO TR-5000. In addition, AAMA
developed five well-accepted performance classes - Residential (R), Light
Commercial (LC), Commercial (C), Heavy Commercial (HC), and Architectural
(AW) – which assist architects, specifiers, and building owners
in defining the appropriate window performance required for each application.
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| adjustment
clip |
hardware on hung window jambs to align jambs
after window installation. |
| air infiltration
rate |
the amount of air leaking in and out of
a building through cracks in walls, windows, and doors (the lower, the better).
Usually expressed as cfm per square foot of window area. |
| anodize |
the process that provides a hard, durable
oxide film on the surface of aluminum, by electrolytic action. |
| ANSI |
American National Standards Institute -
a clearing house for all types of standards and specifications. |
| ASCE |
American Society of Civil Engineers which
set standards for materials, e.g., ASCE 7-93 (formerly ANSI A58.1) "Minimum
Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures." |
| ASTM |
American Society for Testing and Materials
- a society of engineers which set standards for testing of materials. |
| astragal |
an extrusion that joins two sash which are
in the same window track. |
| balance |
a mechanical device, normally spring
loaded, used in hung windows to counterbalance the weight of the sash
during opening and closing.
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| balance
shoe |
nylon hardware in a tilt hung window jamb
that connects the balance with the pivot bar on the operating sash. |
barrel vault |
an arched atrium roof structure, using a
semi-circle or hoop to cover a long narrow area, e.g., the portico extending
from the front hotel entrance for arriving guests to unload under cover. |
| bead |
a molding or stop placed around
a window frame to hold glass in place by pressure. |
| bending
rafters |
the structural main "rib"
of a glazed structure, available in straight and bent. |
| billet |
the cylindrical form of aluminum
just prior to the extruding process. |
| bite |
a glazing term referring to
the dimension of the glazing leg which overlaps the edge of the glass. |
| bolt locking
system |
the heavy duty flush lock mechanism
which allows a top and bottom bolt to secure the folding glass wall at each
panel, offering commercial locking protection to residential applications. |
| casement
window |
a window in which the operating
vents move out (casement outswing) or in (casement inswing) from the master
frame. Each vent is hinged on the vertical axis to permit easy operation.
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| caulk
stop |
an accessory added to the exterior
leg of a window frame or exterior panning leg to create a parallel-sided
caulking joint. |
| cfm |
cubic feet per minute - a unit
of measure used in air infiltration testing, e.g., "maximum .10 cfm
per square foot of window area." |
| CMR |
Centerline of Meeting Rail
- a reference line used to locate integral mullions and/or to size oriel
(unequal) sash, e.g., "the height of the lower sash shall be 22"
from the frame sill to CMR." |
| condensation |
when the air inside an enclosure
is warmer than the air outside the enclosure, the moisture vapor in the
interior air will condense, creating small water droplets at the intersection
of dissimilar materials (aluminum and gaskets). |
| continuous
air spacer |
an air spacer within an insulating
glass unit (IGU) that does not use corner keys to hold the spacer together,
thereby eliminating the corner joint, the largest cause of seal failure. |
| crack
length |
total outside perimeter of
window sash or vent. |
| CRF |
Condensation Resistance Factor
- an indication of a window's ability to resist condensation (the higher
the better). |
| curved
eave lean-to |
the rounded bent corner transition
between the roof and front wall. |
| custodial
lock |
window hardware only operable
with a tool or key. |
| debridge |
the process of cutting away
the metal on the bottom of an aluminum thermal break cavity once the two-part
polyurethane has reached full strength, thus creating a thermally broken
extrusion.
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| desiccant |
a porous crystalline substance
used to absorb moisture and/or sealant solvents from within the sealed air
space of an insulating glass unit (IGU). |
| design
load |
the project’s wind load
to be determined by the architect and expressed in psf, e.g., "the
project design load shall be 38.7 psf, both positive and negative."
It is also referred to as the project’s Design Pressure. |
| Designation
Number |
prescribed by AAMA. One for
each window style. It provides a code for architectural selection, e.g.,
TRACO TR-5000 = H-C45 = Double Hung - Commercial Grade - 45 psf Design Pressure. |
| die |
a perforated steel block through
which aluminum or vinyl is extruded. |
| dome |
the spherical shape associated
with skylights. |
| double
pitch design |
pertaining to two opposite
roof slopes, e.g., sloping North and South; also referred to as a ridge
connection. |
| double
strength glass |
(DSB) 1/8" thickness. |
| dry
glazing |
a method of securing glass
in a window frame with a dry, preformed, resilient gasket, without the use
of a glazing compound. |
| dual
action window |
a window in which the operating
vent tilts in from the top for ventilation and swings in from the side for
glass cleaning. Each window has one handle to perform both operations. Also
called a tilt-turn window. |
| dual
durometer bead |
a vinyl glazing bead with a
softer flap against glass and a harder section inserted into the sash member. |
| dual
glazed |
two single lites glazed into
a split sash with an airspace, not hermetically sealed, between the two
single lites. |
| dual
sealed insulating glass |
a superior insulating glass
unit (IGU) which greatly resists seal failure (internal moisture accumulation).
It is made by combining two glass lites, an air spacer, a primary seal,
e.g., Polyisobutylene (PIB), for resistance to Moisture Vapor Transmission
(MVT), and a secondary seal, e.g., silicone, for adhesive strength. |
| dual
weather seals |
a pair of gaskets, running
the length of a glazed system, one towards the exterior and one towards
the interior, acting as twice the barrier protection of a single weather
seal. |
| dual
window |
two windows joined together,
one in front of the other, to provide sound control. |
| egress
window |
a window with specific release
hardware and minimum clear opening size to allow occupants to escape through
the window in case of a fire.
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electrostatic |
a painting process by which
the aluminum is grounded and the paint carries a positive electric current.
This creates a magnetic attraction between the paint and the aluminum allowing
for uniform paint coverage on extrusion surfaces that are exposed when the
assembled window is installed and closed. |
| end
dam |
used to close the ends of a
subsill so the water will not leak out the ends. It makes the subsill a
complete water trough allowing it to collect excess water and drain it to
the exterior. |
| EPDM |
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
– a modest-cost weather-resistant synthetic rubber from which many
flexible gaskets for windows are made. |
| expansion
mullion |
self-mulling window frame jambs
that, when slipped together, permit expansion and contraction while preserving
strength and watertightness. This is particularly important on large runs
of windows, since aluminum will expand or contract 1/8" in 8’
in a 100 degree temperature difference. |
| exterior
glazed |
glass glazed from the exterior
of the building. |
| extrude |
the process of shaping aluminum
or vinyl by forcing it through a die. |
| extrusion |
the finished form after pushing
aluminum or vinyl through the die. |
| fin
seal |
a form of pile weatherstrip
that has a plastic Mylar fin centered in the pile. This fin reduces air
infiltration and ensures weatherstrip contact throughout the window's
life.
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| flange
frame |
a window frame with the head,
jamb, and sill exterior perimeter leg longer than the interior perimeter
leg. |
| float
glass |
transparent glass with flat,
parallel surfaces formed on the surface of a pool of molten tin. Float glass
has virtually replaced sheet and plate glass because of its superior optical
quality. |
| gasket |
a rubber or plastic pliable
material used to separate glass and aluminum or vinyl.
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| glass
surface numbers |
a numbering system to identify
glass surfaces. They always start from the exterior. For example, a regular
insulating glass unit (IGU) has four surfaces: #1 = the outside surface
of the exterior lite; #2 = the inside surface of the exterior lite; #3 =
the outside surface of the interior lite; and #4 = the inside surface of
the interior lite. |
| glazing |
the process of installing glass
or panels into the sash or frame of the window. |
| glazing
bead |
a molding or stop around a
window frame, sash, vent, or panel to hold the glass in place by pressure. |
| head |
the upper horizontal member
of a window frame.
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| head
expander |
a U-shaped extrusion slipped
over the frame head that, when pushed up, closes the gap between the frame
head and the opening head after window installation. |
| heat
fusion |
(welding) method to join PVC
frame and/or sash members by heating the cut ends, squeezing them together,
and allowing the assembly to cool. |
| Heat
Mirror™ |
a triple-ply insulating glass
unit (IGU) utilizing a polyester internal film with a special coating to
reflect heat, but allows light to pass through. Heat Mirror is a trademark
of Southwall Technologies Inc. |
| heat
treating |
the process where glass or
aluminum extrusions are heated and cooled to make these materials harder
and stronger. |
| hermetically
sealed unit |
an insulating glass unit (IGU)
that is sealed against moisture. The unit is made up of two lites of glass,
separated by a roll-formed metal spacer tube (at the full perimeter) which
contains a desiccant (moisture and/or solvent absorbing material). The unit
is then completely sealed, creating a moisture free air space. |
| hung
window |
a window in which the operating
sash move up and down within the master frame. The weight of each operating
sash is counterbalanced with balances to permit easy operation. |
| IGCC |
Insulating Glass Certification
Council - directs a certification program of periodic accelerated laboratory
testing and unannounced plant inspections to ensure sealed insulating
glass unit (IGU) performance is in conformance with ASTM E 774-92. Rating
choices are "C" (lowest), "CB", or "CBA"
(highest).
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| inside
snap trim |
used in retrofit work to cover
the inside gap between the new window and the existing opening. |
| insulating
glass unit (IGU) |
two pieces of glass spaced
apart and hermetically sealed to form a unit with an air space between.
Heat transmission through this type of glass may be as low as half that
without such an air space. |
| integral
mullion |
a frame member trapped within
the master frame to separate vents or fixed glass. |
| interlock |
a design feature which enables
sash to engage one another when closed. |
| jamb |
the vertical member of a
window frame.
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| keeper |
a hardware device into which
a window locking latch engages for security.
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| laminated
glass |
two or more lites of glass
bonded together with a plastic inner layer. A typical application is a
car’s windshield.
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| Low
E glass |
a transparent coating applied
to a glass surface to separate long wave (heat) energy and short wave (light)
energy. The long wave is reflected back to the heat source. The short wave
is allowed to pass through the coating. |
| marine
glazing |
a U-channel of soft PVC
which is wrapped around the edge of the glass, cushioning the glass against
the aluminum or vinyl. This process allows for unrestricted expansion
and contraction and watertightness.
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| meeting
rail |
the part of a hung window where
the two sash meet and create a weather barrier. |
| meeting
stile |
the part of a sliding window
where the two sash meet and create a weather barrier. |
| mill
finish |
the original finish produced
on aluminum by extruding. |
| missle
impact |
testing performed on windows
to simulate the ability for a window frame and its glazing material to resist
hurricane-driven debris. |
| mullion |
an extrusion that joins windows. |
| mullion
cover |
an extrusion that joins panning
perimeter legs that extend over existing mullions. |
| Neoprene |
a synthetic rubber having
physical properties closely resembling those of natural rubber. It has
extremely good weather and temperature resistance, both heat and cold,
with ultraviolet stability.
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| NFRC |
National Fenestration Rating
Council |
| nite
latch |
hardware which, when extended,
restricts the sash opening to a predetermined dimension. |
| obscure
glass |
mainly used for decoration,
diffusion, or privacy. The pattern is rolled into the hot glass during
glass manufacturing.
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| oriel
window |
a window with unequal sash. |
| panel |
either an opaque glazing
material or the operating portion of a sliding glass door.
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| panning |
a set of extrusions which are
fastened to a new window to cover the exterior perimeter of an existing
opening in a retrofit application. |
| pivot
bar |
hardware in a tilt hung window
to connect the balance shoe with the operating sash. |
| projected
window |
a window in which the operating
vents move out (project out or awning) or in (project in or hopper) from
the master frame. Each vent is hinged on the horizontal axis to permit easy
operation. |
| psf |
pounds per square foot - a
measurement of air pressure used in window testing, e.g., 1.56 psf (25 mph)
or 6.24 psf (50 mph). |
| PVC |
Poly Vinyl Chloride - in rigid
frame/sash members, and in flexible gaskets. |
| R
value |
a measurement of heat resistance
(the higher, the better). R value = the number 1 divided by the U value.
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| rafter |
the structural main "rib"
of a glazed structure available in straight and bent. |
| rail |
a horizontal sash member. |
| reflective
glass |
glass with metallic coatings
applied onto or into the glass surface to reduce solar radiant energy and
visible light transmission. |
| Santoprene |
a modest-cost synthetic
rubber having physical properties resembling those of natural rubber.
It has good weather and temperature resistance, both heat and cold, with
ultraviolet stability.
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| sash |
the operating portion of a
hung or horizontal sliding window. |
| screens |
usually mounted on the window
or door exterior, depending on sash, vent, or panel operation. Screens provide
ventilation and transparency and are usually one of three types: insect
screens to resist insects, protection screens to resist glass breakage and
casual vandalism, or security screens to resist forced entry or escape. |
| segmented
vault |
utilizing straight sections
mitered together to create an arched or curved effect. |
| SGCC |
Safety Glazing Certification
Council - administers tempered glass testing and certification program. |
| side
load window |
a hung window in which the
sash is removed by extending the jamb balance clips, raising the sash to
full window height, supporting the sash weight, and moving the sash to one
side to remove it from the master frame. A side load hung window cannot
be a tilt window. |
| sill |
the lower horizontal member
of a window frame. |
| single
strength glass |
(SSB) 3/32" thickness. |
| sliding
glass door |
a door in which the operating
panel slides sideways within the master frame. Each operating panel has
rollers to permit easy operation. Also called a patio door. Usually used
in applications where passage to exterior patios is required, while providing
weather resistance and security. Not to be confused with mall or entrance
sliding doors which provide security, but little or no weather resistance. |
| sliding
window |
a window in which the operating
sash slide sideways within the master frame. Each operating sash has glides
or rollers to permit easy operation. |
| solarium |
a thermally broken frame and
insulated glass unit which makes a room addition to a home or business.
Offers energy savings in the moderate price range. |
| STC |
Sound Transmission Class -
describes acoustical control for interior panels, and, even though inadequate,
is currently the only criteria for exterior windows. The higher the number,
the better the product is at resisting typical sound frequencies excluding
airplane and train noises. |
| strap
anchor |
usually made from galvanized
steel, it attaches to the window frame and opening perimeter to be the main
installation anchor to resist wind load. The window dead load is usually
not supported with strap anchors. |
| subsill |
extrusions positioned to collect
water leakage through mullions and products and drain it to the exterior.
Used where high performance water resistance is required and for windows
joined with mullions. It runs continuously across the opening width and
can be spliced together to cover wide openings. The ends are sealed with
end dams. |
| tempered
glass |
glass that has first been
cut to size, then heated to a very high temperature and then rapidly brought
back to room temperature. It will withstand severe punishment from a blunt
object; however, any pointed object will break the glass instantly and
the glass will crumble into many, very small pieces. Typical applications
include a car’s side and back windows, sliding glass doors, and
entrance doors.
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| thermal
break |
an element of low conductivity
(polyurethane) placed between elements of higher conductivity (aluminum)
to reduce the flow of heat and cold. |
| thermosetting |
baking the organic paint finish
on aluminum to endure a tight bond and long life. |
| tilt
release |
hardware in a tilt hung window
to hold the sash within the frame jambs and, if desired, release the operating
sash to the tilt position for cleaning of the exterior glass and sash removal.
Common release design options include finger buttons, slots for a common
tool, hardware for special tools, or key operation. |
| tilt
window |
a hung window in which the
lower sash is removed by raising the sash 4", releasing the tilt releases
while supporting the sash weight, and releasing the sash pivot bars to remove
the sash from the master frame. The top sash removal is similar. A tilt
window cannot be a side load window. |
| U
value |
a measurement of heat transmission.
The U value of a window is measured by the number of BTU's that will pass
through each square foot of area per degree of temperature difference
from one side of the window to the other (the lower, the better). U value
= the number 1 divided by the R value.
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| united
inches (UI) |
the sum total of one window
width and one window height expressed in inches. |
| water
resistance test pressure |
the air pressure at which
a window will resist water infiltration during a water test which consists
of water spray and air pressure. Usually expressed in psf, e.g., "the
TRACO TR-5000 has a water resistance test pressure of 7.5 psf."
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| WDMA |
Window & Door Manufacturers
Association – formerly the NWWDA – National Wood Window and
Door Association |
| wedge
glazing |
a flexible, continuous gasket
that ensures a high compression seal between the glass and glazing bead
by applying pressure. |
| weep
slot |
an opening in a window sill
and/or sash rail to allow water to drain to the exterior. |
| wind
load |
the amount of pressure exerted
by the wind on a window or door generally expressed in pounds per square
foot (psf). Not to be confused with a project’s location "Basic
Wind Speed", which is usually expressed in miles per hour (mph). |
| window
size |
always expressed as width first,
then height. |
| window
style |
the description of the way
a window operates, e.g., hung, sliding, casement, etc. |
| wire
glass |
1/4" clear or obscure
glass having a layer of diamond or square pattern wire mesh embedded in
the glass lite. It cannot be tempered and is not an approved safety glazing
material. |
| "XX"
sliding window |
Since "X" indicates
the moving sash, this is a window in which both sash operate.
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| "XO"
sliding window |
Since "O" indicates
the fixed sash, this is a window in which the left sash slides and right
sash is fixed, looking from the outside in. |
