Afford Home Remodel - Glossary of Terms | Affordable Home Remodeling

Glossary of Terms



Single Hung Window	A single hung window consists of two sashes, one on top that does not move and another on the bottom that does move vertically.

Double Hung Window	A double hung window consists of two sashes, both of which move up and down.

Fixed (Picture) Window	A fixed, or picture, window consists of one sash that does not operate.

Horizontal Sliding Window	A horizontal slider, or XO, consists of two sashes, one fixed and one that moves. They move horizontally on tracks.

Casement Window	A window with a hinged sash that swings outward using a crank. Often with fixed sashes.

Awning Window	A window sash that is hinged at the top and opens from the bottom and can be propped up like an awning.

Glazing	Glazing is the process of mounting a glass unit into a window or door.

Insulated Glass	An insulated glass unit (IGU) is two or three panes of glass separated by a spacer and is sealed.

Grid/Grille	Grids (or grilles) are a decorative grid unit on the interior or exterior of the glass, between the glass panes, or any combination of these that divides a window opening into smaller openings to create simulated divided lite (SDL) or true divided lite (TDL). Grids may or may not be removable.

Rough Opening	The framed opening in a wall where a window or door is to be installed.

R-Value	Refers to the resistance a window has to thermal transfer or heat flow. The higher the value, the better the insulation.

Sash	A sash is the assembly of stiles (vertical frame members) and rails (horizontal frame members) that form a frame for holding the glass in a window.

Side Lite	A fixed, usually rectangular window placed on either side of a door.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)	Solar heat gain coefficient is a measurement of the amount of solar radiation through a piece of glass or door material. The lower the SHGC, the fewer UV rays that cause heat gain come through the glass.

Spacer	A component (usually metal) that separates the panes of glass to create the airspace in an insulated glass unit (IGU).

Transom	A window, usually rectangular, placed over a door or window.

Triple Glazing	Three panes of glass with an airspace between each pane.

U-Value	The U-Value is a number that represents the rate of heat loss through a window or door. The lower the number, the greater a window resists the transfer of heat. A U-Value of 0.35 or lower represents good insulating value.

Weep Hole	The visible exit or entry part of a water drainage system used to drain water out of a window or patio door.

Low E Glass	Low E (low emissivity) has an invisible thin film metallic or oxide coating which allows short-wave solar energy to pass into the building and prevents long-wave energy produced by heating systems and lighting from escaping the building.

Tempered Glass	Tempered glass is treated with heat during the manufacturing process to create 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 all windows near doors, bathtubs, or showers.

Argon	Argon is an inert gas that is injected between the glass panes and improves the insulating value of sealed glass units.

Balancers	The balance system in the side jambs of a single or double hung window that controls the tension and balance for smooth operation of the sash.

Bay Window	A bay window is composed of three or more units. The side (flanker) units project out from the building usually in 30, 45, or 90 degree angles. The center unit is parallel with the building wall and is made up of one or more units. All units can be fixed, operating, or any combination of the two.

Bow Window	A series of four or more adjoined window units, projecting 10-20 degrees from the wall of the building, forming a radius.

Brickmold	Brickmold is a form of exterior casing for windows and doors that serves as an aesthetic boundary between the siding and the frame.

Casing	The trim around window and door openings. Exterior casing is an alternative to brickmold. Interior casing is often a shaped and decorative trim that covers the inside edges of the jambs and rough opening between the window unit and the wall.

Divided Lite	Divided lite occurs when a window opening is divided into smaller sections by a grid system on the interior or exterior of the glass, between the glass panes, or any combination of the three.

Double Glazing	Double glazed is when two panes of glass separated by an air space form an insulated glass unit (IGU).

French Door	A style of door in which two panels open to provide a clear opening which is approximately twice as wide as one panel.

French Rail Patio Door	A sliding patio door with a thick frame which is designed to mimic the appearance of a French door.

Geometric Window	Geometric windows are specialty windows of various shapes including: rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, octagons, pentagons, half-rounds, quarter-rounds, full rounds, sectors, and ellipses.