Glossary of Common Terms

Aluminum window: A window made of aluminum.

Aluminum: Clad aluminum

Awning: a window that cranks or swings upward.

Bay window: A series of units together, some operable some not usually in a angle configuration.

Bow window: A series of unites together in a radius configuration.

Casement: a window that cranks or swings out.

Circle top, Radius: A wide variety of shapes & sizes, usually a semi-circle direct set.

Crank handle: a handle you manipulate to open a window.

Dealer: the company that sells the manufacturer's windows.

Direct set: A unit in which the glass is glazed directly into the frame. No sash.

Double pane: 2 pieces of glass

Double hung, or single hung: a window that slides up & down. A tilt will pull out for cleaning.

Frame: the stationary part of the unit that encloses the sash or the glass.

Glazing: what type of glass you have and how it is held into the sash.

Hardware: various parts that make a unit operate

In swing: Door that swings in.

Manufacturer: the company that made the window.

Multi-Point Lock System: A door lock which locks on top, middle & bottom.

Operator: (no, not the lady that answers 411) the part that actually does the work of the window opening. The gears and arm that pushes the window open (not the crank handle).

Out swing: Door that swings out.

Sash: the part of the window that actually does the moving when you crank the window or slide it open.

Sash lock: a lever operated locking device which holds a window shut.

Sash lock keeper: (latch) a small part attached to the sash which the sash lock grabs onto.

Sill: the bottom of the frame of a window.

Simulated divided light: muntin bars are fixed on top of glass, not actually separating glass.

Single pane: 1 piece of glass.

Slider: a window that slides back & forth.

Spacer: an aluminum piece used to separate pieces of glass in a double pane unit.

Stationary: a fixed window made not to operate. (But with hardware can be made operable).

Tempered glass: glass which is several times stronger than regular glass. When broken, will fall
into small pebble-like pieces without sharp edges.

Tilt, Double hung, or single hung: a window that slides up & down. A tilt will pull out for cleaning.

True divided light: horizontal/vertical actual separations in glass (separated by muntin bars).

Vinyl window: A window made of vinyl. (Not the glass)

Vinyl Clad: A window with vinyl on the outside and wood on the inside.

Weather-strip: Foam or plastic stripping sealing window sash to frame or door panel to fram.

Wood window: Window made of wood inside and out.