Glossary of Terms

Windows

double hung: a window that has two moveable sashes that are hung separately, both can be opened, shut and tilted in.

grids: the decorative patterns on a windows pane locked between the panes of glass, can be colonial, diamond, or French style.

slider: this window has two sashes that slide horizontally.

bow windows: a unit made up of three or more windows set in a wood frame at 10% angles resulting in an arch-like appearance.

bay windows: a unit made up of three windows set in a wood frame at 30% angles resulting in a greater projection than a bow window.

casement windows: a vertical window where the sash cranks open and shut.

picture windows: a large fixed window.

awning windows: horizontal casement window that opens from the bottom.

hopper windows: horizontal casement window that opens from the top.

sash: glass portion of a door or windows, can be fixed or moveable.

low-E glass: stands for low-emissivity glass, it is a coating on the glass surface that reflects heat or cold back into the environment (inside or outside) to keep it from transmitting through glass.

argon gas: this inert gas is heavier than air and is placed in between the two panes of glass. It acts as insulation and an additional barrier against heat and cold transfer.

krypton gas: Like argon this gas is also an inert gas meaning in poses no danger to any one. This gas is also much heavier then argon and thus a better insulator. Krypton gas however costs about 10 times the cost of argon.

fusion weld: corners of the vinyl windows are heat-welded together instead of using screws, for a more precise fit and no air infiltration.

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC): NFRC is a non-profit, public/private organization created by the windows, door and skylight industry. It is comprised of manufacturers, suppliers, builders, architects and designers, specifiers, code officials utilities and government agencies. NFRC has established a voluntary national energy performance rating and labeling system for fenestration products. .

ENERGY STAR®: ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary partnership among the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, product manufacturers, local utilities, and retailers. Partners help promote efficient products by labeling with the ENERGY STAR® logo and educating consumers about the benefits of energy efficiency. By choosing ENERGY STAR®-labeled products, you'll keep your utility bills down, and help the environment at the same time. However in recent years the Energy Star label come under some attack since it seems to cover all windows and in 1996 when it was first started as a program the Energy Star Label was only to cover about 35 to 40 percent of all windows made, certainly not all windows as it has done. For instance the Government Tax relief of $1500.00 is available for .30 -.30 windows meaning they have a U value of .3 and a Solar Heat Gain of .3 which is a descent window, however not good enough for the Department of Energy's R-5 Volume Window Program. This is true energy savings with most windows being triple glass, double gas filled and super Low-E glass thus carrying a U value of .22 or better, some heat mirror windows also qualified. Today we have serval windows below .18 U Value and this program promotes there use through special buying patience.

Patio and Porch Enclosures

gable: double sloped roof forming an upside down "V."

studio: single sloped roof style.

tempered glass: safety glass that if broken, shatters into tiny bits instead of dagger-like shards.

footer system: below ground support structure of a concrete pad.

under pin: the process of installing a footer system beneath an existing cement slab.

frost heave: the condition that occurs in "non-footered" concrete slabs. A concrete slab without footers will "float" with the thawing and freezing of the ground.

knee wall: the structure upon which patio room windows are installed. They can be existing or constructed of tempered glass or an insulated panel.

header: a support structure member of a patio room system that also pivots to allow for roof slope.

hanger: a support structure member of patio room system which anchors the roof to the home.

r-factor: a numeric measure of a material's ability to insulate against heat or cold. Also used for windows.

extrusion: a length of aluminum used in building a patio room structure, door or window.

interlocking rail: |portion of a door or window unit where the operating section meets and interlocks with the fixed portion.

baked enamel finish: painting process where enamel paint is baked to create a finish which assures years of maintenance free use.--resists cracking and peeling.

stainless steel: metal alloy that won't rust.

Siding and Trim

fascia (gutterboard): term for finishing trim on siding installation job.

rake: boards that go up a gable.

corner posts: used to finish seams properly on house's inside and outside corners.

frieze board: bandboard on brick home between soffit and brick that allows for a seamless transition between the two.

bandboard: see frieze board.

backerboard: evens out walls, insulates and gives siding an even surface to be mounted to.

starter strip: foundation piece for first piece of siding to clip on to.

j-blocks: mounting pieces for fixtures, water spigot, & lights for a finished trimmed look.

vents: on gable or under soffit, ventilated piece of siding that allows for air circulation under roof.

trim cap: trim cap when siding starts more than three feet off of ground, seals backer board and gives clean, finished edge.

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