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GLOSSARY

Air Chambers
Small honeycomb spaces within the sash and frame which help to insulate and strengthen the window

Air Infiltration
The amount of air that passes between a window sash and frame. In windows it is measured in terms of cubic feet or air per minute, per square foot of area. The lower the number, the less air the window lets pass through.

Air Latch
Latch mechanism on the interior face of the sash that retains the window in a partially open position for ventilation.

Air leakage rating
A measure of the rate of infiltration around a window or a skylight in the presence of a strong wind, expressed in units of cubic feet per minute per foot.
 

Airspace
The space in the cavity between two panes of glass in an insulated glass unit.

Angled Exterior
A sloped extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.

Argon gas
Argon is a safe, odorless, colorless, non-toxic, non-flammable inert gas that is commonly used in place of air between the glass panes of an insulated Low-E glass unit to reduce temperature transfer.

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 for ventilation.

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

Bay window
A composite of three windows, usually made up of a large center fixed unit and two flanking units at 30-,45- or 90- degree angles to the wall.

Beveled Exterior An angled extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.

Block frame window
Used when replacing the wood sash of an old double hung wood window.

Bow window
A composite of four or more window units in a radial or bow formation.

Breather Tubes
A small metal tube that is placed into an insulated unit's spacer to equalize pressure differences. Breather tubes can allow moisture to enter into the insulating unit. Mostly used in high altitude locations.

Brickmold
A type of external casing which frames windows and doors.

BTU
An abbreviation for British thermal unit - a standard measure of the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Butyl
A rubber material that seals the glass to the spacer, creating an airtight and watertight IG unit. Butyl has the lowest gas permeability of all rubbers.

Cam Lock and Keeper
The mechanisms which pull the sash together when placed in the locked position.

Capillary Tubes
Small hollow tubes which penetrate the spacer system of an insulating glass unit. They allow pressure equalization between manufacturing locations, shipping, and installation locations. Since the insulating glass unit is not permanently sealed, the air space cannot be filled with Argon gas.

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.

Center of Glass U- and R-values
The U- and R-values measured from the center of the glass to 2-1/2" from the frame.

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
Any material locked to the outside faces of doors and windows 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.

Condensation
The accumulation of water vapor or droplets as the result of warm, moist air coming in contact with a cold surface and cooling to its dew point temperature. Condensation may occur when a cold window glass or frame is exposed to humid indoor air. Low-conductivity, insulated glass and warm-edge spacers reduce condensation.

Condensation Resistance Factor
A measure of the effectiveness of a window or glazing system to reduce the potential for condensation. The higher the condensation resistance factor, the more efficient the window and glazing system.

Conduction
The transfer of heat through a solid material, such as glass or wood, through direct contact. Heat flows from a higher-temperature area to a lower-temperature one.

Convection
The flow of heat that occurs through a circulating gas or liquid (such as air) as warm air rises and cool air sinks. Convective heat transfer can take place in large areas (like rooms and buildings) and in small areas (like the cavity between two layers of insulated glass). Low-e insulated glass units lessen cold convection currents by maintaining warmer interior glass surface temperatures.

Cottage double-hung
A double-hung window in which the upper sash is shorter than the lower sash.

Coved Exterior
An arced extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.

Dormer
A space which protrudes from the roof of a house, usually including one or more windows.

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.

Double or dual glazing
Use of two panes of glass in a window to increase energy efficiency and provide other performance benefits.

Emissivity
The relative ability of a surface to reflect or emit heat by radiation. Emissivity factors range from 0.00 to 1.00. The lower the emissivity, the less heat that is emitted through a window system. Emissivity is typically measured by U-factor (or its inverse, R-factor).

Extrusion
A form produced by forcing material through a die. Most window frames are clad with extruded vinyl or aluminum.

Fenestration
An architectural term referring to the arrangement of windows in a wall. From the Latin word, "fenestra," meaning window.

Fixed window
Non-venting or non-operable window. Also known as picture window.

Flashing
A thin strip of metal or synthetic material that diverts water away from a window or skylight.

Flush Fin
A replacement window with flush fin is used when replacing an existing aluminum sliding window. This is the most commonly used replacement window type.

Foam Spacer
Foam material placed in the airspace of the insulating glass in a window to enhance the appearance and improve the performance of the window.

Frame
The enclosure in which window sash or door panels are mounted.

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.

Gas fill
An insulating gas (such as argon or krypton) placed between window glazing panes to reduce the U-factor by suppressing conduction and convection.

Glaze/Glazing
Glass or plastic panes, as in a window or skylight. Note that the terms "double-glazed" and "double-paned" are interchangeable. (The term "glazed" should not be confused with "coated" or "tinted.")

Glazing bead
A plastic or wood strip applied to the window sash around the perimeter of the glass.

Glazing stop
The part of the sash or door panel which holds the glass in place.

Grille
A term referring to windowpane dividers or muntins, usually a type of assembly which may be detached for cleaning.

Grids/Grilles
Also called "muntins." The decorative bars that divide the glass part of a window up and create a pattern. Sunrise Windows grids are located between the panes of glass.

Head
The main horizontal member forming the top of the window or door frame.

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.

Infiltration
The inadvertent flow of air into a building through breaks in the exterior surfaces of the building (e.g., through joints and cracks around window and skylight frames, sashes and glazings).

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.

Jalousie window
Louver blades open to maximize airflow through opening.

Jamb
The main vertical members forming the sides of a window or door frame.

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.

Laminated Glass
An insulated glass unit in which one internal piece of glass is covered (laminated) with an organic film. The film gives the glass an added degree of resistance to breakage.

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.

Light or lite
Glazing framed by muntins and/or sash in a window or door.

Light shaft
An insulated shaft built to direct the light from a roof window or skylight through the attic to the room below.

Lite
A section of glass. This term can be confusing, as it can refer to an entire window (as in a 4-lite bow) or to one of the areas of glass divided up by muntins/grids/grilles. Sunrise uses the term "lite" only to refer to bow windows, which can come in 4-lite, 5-lite, or 6-lite sizes.

Low-emissivity (low-e) coating
Microscopically thin, virtually invisible metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window glazing surface and sealed in an insulating glass unit to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat-flow through the window.

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.

Muntins
Also called "grids" or "grilles." The decorative bars that divide the glass part of a window up and create a pattern. Sunrise Windows muntins are located between the panes of glass.

Nail-on
Windows with nail-on frames are for new construction.

Palladian window
A large, arch-top window flanked by smaller windows on each side.

Pane
A framed sheet of glass within a window.

Panel
Usually refers to the separate panel or panels in a door frame.

Parting stop
In a double-hung window, a strip of wood applied to the jamb to separate the sash.

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
Non-venting or non-operable window. Also know as a fixed window.

Rail
The top and bottom horizontal members of the framework of a window sash.

Relative Heat Gain (RHG)
A calculated relationship of heat gain (through a window system) that accounts for center-of-glass U-value and center-of-glass shading coefficient based on a standard inside and outside temperature.

Rough opening
The framed opening in a wall into which a window or door unit is to be installed.

R-value (also R-factor)
A measure of a product's ability to resist the transfer of thermal energy. The inverse of U-factor (R=1/U), R-value is expressed in units of hr-sq. ft -?F/Btu. A high R-value window has greater resistance to heat-flow and a higher insulating value than one with a low R-value.

Sash
A single assembly of stiles and rails made into a frame for holding glass.

Sash balance
A system of weights, cords and/or coiled springs which assist in raising double-hung sash and tend to keep the sash in any placed position by counterbalancing the weight of the sash.

Sash cord
In double-hung windows, the rope or chain which attaches 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
In older double-hung windows, the concealed cast-iron weights which are used to counterbalance the sash.

Sealant
A substance, which adheres to the glass and the spacer, sealing an insulated unit. It must provide adhesiveness and a minimum of moisture transmission through itself. When one substance provides both these characteristics adequately, the unit is called a single-seal unit. Sometimes two materials are needed for the desired result, which makes a dual-seal unit.

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.

Shading Coefficient (SC)
A measure of the ability of a window or skylight to transmit solar heat, relative to that ability for 1/8-inch clear, double-strength single glass. This measurement is being phased out in favor of solar heat gain coefficient, and is approximately equal to the SHGC (see below for definition) multiplied by 1.15.

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.

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.

Simulated divided light
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.

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.

Sloped Sill Adapter
Used to cover the gap between the old sloped sill window and the new block frame window. It adapts a new window to the existing sloping sill.

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.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
The fraction of solar radiation transmitted through a window or skylight, expressed as a percentage. The lower a window's SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits and the greater its shading ability. SHGC can be expressed in terms of the glass alone or can refer to the entire window assembly. Generally, a lower SHGC is desirable in warm climates, and a higher SHGC is desirable cold ones. SHGC has replaced shading coefficient (SC) as the standard indicator of a window's shading ability.

Solar reflectance
The measured quantity of energy in the solar wavelength range that is reflected by a window, expressed as a percentage.

Solar transmittance
The measured quantity of energy in the solar wavelength range that passes through a window, expressed as a percentage.

Spacer
A material placed between two or more panes of glass in an insulated glass unit to bond and seal the glazing unit.

Stile
The main vertical members of the framework of a sash.

Stool
An interior trim piece on a window which extends 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. Standard on all doors and large fixed windows.

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.

Titanium
An ultra-hard metal with low light absorption and high visible light transmittance (VLT) properties. Used in Sunrise?s Ultra-U+Plus Glass, titanium low-e coatings improve transmitted color and reduce emissivity.

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 which refers to windows in which multiple individual panes of glass or lights are assembled in the sash using muntins.

U-factor (U-value)
A measure of the rate of non-solar heat-flow through a material or assembly. It is expressed in units of BTU/hr.-sq. ft. -?F (or W/sq. m-?C), and may be expressed for the glass alone or for the entire window assembly, including frame and spacer materials. The lower the U-factor, the greater a window's resistance to heat-flow and the better its insulating value.

Unison lock
A casement locking system which secures the window at two 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.

Vent Unit
A window or door unit that opens or operates.

Vinyl
A plastic material used for cladding or entire window units.

Visible light transmittance (VLT or VT)
The percentage or fraction of the visible light spectrum that is transmitted through the glass of a window or skylight as reduced by the sash material and reflectance of the glass.

Visible reflectance
The measured amount of energy in the visible wavelength range that is reflected by a window system, expressed as a percentage.

Warm-edge
Describes a window unit that uses a new spacer material (e.g., rubber or stainless steel or plastic vs. aluminum) and/or a thermal-break spacer design to reduce conductivity between interior and exterior glass panes.

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.