Riley's Siding & Windows
Glossary
Small honeycomb spaces within the sash and frame extrusions
that help to insulate and strengthen the window.
The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through
cracks in walls, windows and doors.
A standard sheet of plate glass (not tempered).
A gas that is heavier than air and can be used to fill the
airspace of an insulated glass unit. Argon is a safe, colorless, odorless,
tasteless, non-toxic gas, which is six times denser than air. Argon increases
the insulating value of an insulated glass unit as well as improves sound
insulation.
Awning Window
A window that is
hinged at the top, and cranks from the bottom.
Balance (spiral type, coil type or block and tackle type)
The system in the side jambs of a single or double-hung window that helps open and support the weight of the sash.
Balance Winding Tool
Used to adjust the tension of the spiral balance.
Bay Window
A bay window is made up of three or more windows. The side
or flanker units project out from the building at 30, 45, or 90-degree angles.
The center is parallel with the building wall and is made up of one or more
windows. All of the units can be stationary, operating, or any combination of
the two. Typically the center section is stationary, while the side units are
operating.
An extension of the vinyl frame that adds an aesthetically
pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.
This type glass is furnished in (4) four patterns: Double Prairie, Colonial, Diamond and
Florentine. The groove is ground into
the glass 3/8” wide, polished and located on the #3 surface of insulated glass
panel.
Setting a piece of neoprene silicone, or other suitable
material used to position the glass in the frame.
A series of four or more adjoining window units, commonly
five in number, projecting 10-20 degrees from the wall of a building, forming a
circular arch appearance.
Exterior casing around a window or door. Covers the gap
between the frame and masonry opening. In some cases, siding is installed up to
the edge of the brick mould.
Wood head, seat and jambs designed to form a case to contain
the window to fit in the rough opening, used on bay and bow windows.
This is the exact window size not including the fin.
This is a “w” shaped clip with jamb adjustment screw located
at the middle of both jambs of some replacement models. The screws in a clockwise direction will
cause the jamb middles to pull toward the center of the window.
A material used to seal glass to the spacer that acts as a
sealant to form a dead air space.
A window unit in which the single sash that opens outward to
the left or right.
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.
A compound for filing joints to prevent leakage of water and
air. Caulking is used where leakage and/or movement may occur.
Standard Transparent.
A generic term referring to any of a variety of window units
having a curved top frame member often used over another window or door
opening.
The formation of water vapor from the air on any cold
surface whose temperature is below the dew point.
Special shape window unit that has a half round radius head.
When water vapor, which is present in all but the driest
air, comes in contact with a surface that is below what is called “dew point
temperature”, the vapor becomes liquid and is called condensation. An example is as follows: condensation forms on a glass of ice water
since the surface of the glass is down to the dew point temperature of the
inside air.
A double hung or single hung window with a larger
proportioned top sash.
The pressure a product is designed to withstand. This value
is a measure of a product’s capacity to withstand the forces of wind loading,
in both positive and negative directions, while it is closed and locked.
The temperature at which condensation occurs.
A window opening divided into smaller sections by a grid
system on the interior or exterior of the glass, between the glass panes, or
any combination of these three.
Two panes of glass separated by an air space to form a glass
panel that increases energy efficiency and provides other performance benefits.
A window unit that has two operable sashes which move
vertically in the frame.
A single hung window whose top fixed glass is shipped
non-glazed and will be glazed after materials are passed through.
A molding to divert water from the top of a window unit so
that water moves beyond the outside of the frame.
A window large enough, as defined by local building codes,
for exit or entry in case of an emergency. Typically required in bedrooms.
A government-backed program helping businesses and
individuals protect the environment through the use of high-efficiency
products. ENERGY STAR® qualifying products, such as windows and doors, mean
these items use less energy, save money and help protect the environment in the
specified region.
A form produced by forcing material through a die.
An architectural term referring to the arrangement of
windows and doors in a wall.
Refers to a window that is non-venting or non-operable.
A metal or plastic strip attached to the outside of the head
or side jambs to provide a weather barrier, resisting leakage between the frame
and the wall.
The combination of head, jambs, and sill to form a precise
opening in which a window sash or door panel fits.
Refers to frames and sash attached together with intense
heat.
A window that projects out from the side of the structure
and can be used as a greenhouse for plants. It has a slanted glass roof that
allows heat and light from the sun to enter.
Specialty windows of various shapes including: rectangles,
triangles, trapezoids, octagons, pentagons, half-rounds, quarter rounds, full
rounds sectors and ellipses.
The process of sealing the glass to a sash or frame.
A removable decorative trim around the glass.
A decorative grid on the interior or exterior of the glass,
between the glass panes, or in any combination of these locations that divides
a window opening into smaller openings to create simulated divided lite or true
divided lite. Grilles may or may not be removable.
The main horizontal member forming the top of the window or
doorframe.
Two or more sash that slide horizontally past each other;
one or more of the sash may be fixed or inoperative or each sash may operate.
Air that is able to flow through cracks and other spaces
around the window and at the meeting rail.
Insulated Glass (IG)
A combination of two or more panes of glass with
hermetically sealed air space between the panes of glass. This space may or may
not be filled with an inert gas, such as argon.
“J” Configuration designed into window frame exterior for
the primary purpose of receiving siding.
The main vertical members forming the sides of a window or
doorframe.
Handle or grip installed on the sash of a window to make it
easier to raise or lower the sash.
A unit of glass.
Glass treated with a thin transparent coating of metal oxide
and silver. Allows natural light and short-wave heat energy to freely penetrate
glass during the winter while reflecting long-wave heat energy back outside
during the summer months. Keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
It reduces the penetration of ultraviolet rays to minimize fading of carpet and
draperies.
The head, sill, and jamb make up the mainframe. It holds the sashes.
The point at which the horizontal sections of the top and
bottom sash meet. On sliders, the meeting rail is vertical.
A strip of wood, usually shaped to a curved profile, used to
accent and emphasize the ornamentation of a structure and to conceal surface or
angle joints.
Two or more window units structurally joined together.
A metal or vinyl extrusion used to structurally join two or
more windows.
The pieces of decorative grid that help divide a window
opening into smaller sections. Also called a grille.
See muntin.
Used to secure the window into a rough opening.
A frosted or textured glass that is difficult to see
through.
A framed sheet of glass within a window or doorframe
Usually refers to the separate panel or panels in a
doorframe. A panel may be operable or stationary.
A fixed window that has no moveable sash.
The pitch of a roof is the degree of the inclination upward
from horizontal or flat. It may be expressed in degrees or as the ratio of the
number of inches it rises in each 12 inches of horizontal span: 4/12 means the
roof rises four inches for every foot of horizontal span.
A group of windows mulled in combination of fours.
Resistance to thermal transfer or heat flow. Higher R-value
numbers indicate greater insulating value. It is the inverse of the U-Value
(R=1/U).
The horizontal top and bottom members of a window sash or
door panel.
A window designed to fit into an existing window opening.
The framed opening in a wall into which a window or door
unit is to be installed.
A single assembly of stiles and rails made into a frame for
holding the glass in a window.
A system of cords, and/or springs that assist in raising a
sash and keep the sash in any placed position by counter balancing the weight
of the sash.
Generally, a cam-action type lock applied to the rails of
the sliding window to pull the checkrails tightly together or to seal the sash
tightly to the frame, both for security and weather tightness.
An extrusion molding generally about 2” long that covers the
joint between window sash and the jamb that stops the operable sash at its
maximum opening.
Wood, plastic or composite wedges 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.
Tall, narrow, fixed or operating sash on either or both
sides of a door to light an entryway or vestibule.
The main horizontal member forming the bottom of the frame
of a window or door.
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.
Use of single panes of glass in a window. Not as
energy-efficient as insulated glass.
Window with a fixed top sash and an operating bottom sash.
Glass that is treated with heat in its manufacturing,
creating a product that can withstand abnormal force or pressure on its
surface, and which does not break into sharp pieces; code requires tempered
glass in all doors (including patio doors) and in windows that are located near
doors, bathtubs, or showers.
A window designed in such a way that the sashes tilt inward
for easy cleaning of the outside of the glass.
A small window that fits over the top of a door or window,
primarily for additional light and aesthetic value.
A group of windows mulled in combinations of twos.
U-Value (U-Factor)
The rate of heat transfer through a window or door. The
lower the U-value, the better the insulating properties of the unit or glazing
system.
Variously shaped metal, vinyl, plastic or fiber strips that
fit tightly against the window or doorframe to resist air infiltration through
cracks.
Small holes along the bottom edge of a window or door unit
that allows any trapped water to escape outdoors.
Force extended on a surface by moving air.
Wood extensions attached to interior face of window units
(furnished in (2) depths for 4 9/16 and 6 9/16 wall depths).
