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AAMA
American Architectural Manufacturers Association - a window industry organization that establishes voluntary standards, e.g., AAMA 101-93, certification to those standards, and designations, e.g., SGD-HC45 for the ULT-5000.
adjustment clip
hardware on hung window jambs to align jamb after window installation.
air infiltration
the amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows, and doors (the lower, the better).
anodize
the process that provides a hard, durable oxide film on the surface of aluminum, by electrolytic action.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute - a clearing house for all types of standards and specifications.
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials - a society of engineers which set standards for testing of materials.
astragal
an extrusion that joins two sash which are in the same window track. Used in our screens with an OXXO configuration - Bi-parting.
balance
a mechanical device, normally spring loaded, used in hung windows to counterbalance the weight of the sash during opening and closing.
balance shoe
nylon hardware in hung window jamb that connects the balance with the sash.
bead
a molding or stop placed around a window frame to hold the glass in place by pressure.
billet
the cylindrical form of aluminum just prior to the extruding process.
bite
a glazing term referring to the dimension of the glazing leg which overlaps the edge of the glass.
cfm
cubic feet per minute - a unit of measure used in air infiltration testing, e.g., "maximum .20 cfm per foot of sash perimeter."
Centerline
Centerline of an extrusion - a reference line used to locate integral mullions and/or size oriel (unequal) sash, e.g., "the height of the lower sash shall be 22" from the frame sill to CMR."
crack length
total outside perimeter of window sash/vent; used when defining the AAMA air infiltration rate.
CRF
Condensation Resistance Factor - an indication of a window's ability to resist condensation (the higher the better).
custodial lock
window hardware only operable with a tool or key.
debridge
the process of cutting away the metal on the bottom of an aluminum thermal break cavity once the two-part polyurethane has reached full strength, thus creating a thermally broken extrusion.
desiccant
a porous crystalline substance used to absorb moisture and/or sealant solvents from within the sealed air space of an insulating glass unit.
design load
the project wind load to be determined by the architect and expressed in psf, e.g., "the project design load shall be 38.7 psf, both positive and negative."
Designation Number
prescribed by AAMA. One for each window style. It provides a code for architectural selection, e.g., ULT-5000 = SGD-HC45 = Sliding Glass Door - Heavy Commercial Grade - 45PSF Design Pressure.
die
a perforated steel block through which aluminum or vinyl is extruded.
double strength glass
(DSB) 1/8" thickness.
dry glazing
a method of securing glass in a window frame with a dry, preformed, resilient gasket, without the use of a glazing compound.
dual durometer bead
a vinyl glazing bead with a softer flap against glass and a harder section inserted into sash member.
dual glazed
two single lites glazed into a split sash or panel with an airspace, not hermetically sealed, between the two single lites.
dual window
two windows joined together, one in front of the other, to provide superior sound control
egress window
a window with specific release hardware and minimum clear opening size to allow occupants to escape through the window in case of a fire.
electrostatic
a painting process by which the aluminum is grounded and the paint carries a positive electric current. This creates a magnetic attraction between the paint and the aluminum allowing for uniform paint coverage on all exposed extrusion surfaces.
end dam
used to close the ends of a subsill so the water will not leak out the ends. It makes the subsill a complete water trough allowing it to collect excess water and drain it to the exterior.
EPDM
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer - a weather resistant synthetic rubber from which many flexible gaskets for windows are made.
expansion mullion
self mulling window frame jambs that, when slipped together, permit expansion/contraction while preserving strength and watertightness.
exterior glazed
glass glazed from the exterior of the building.
extrude
the process of shaping aluminum or vinyl by forcing it through a die.
extrusion
the finished form after pushing aluminum or vinyl through the die.
fin seal
a form of pile weatherstrip that has a plastic mylar fin centered in the pile. This fin reduces air infiltration and ensures weatherstrip contact throughout the window's life.
flange frame
a window frame with the head, jamb, and sill exterior perimeter leg longer than the interior perimeter leg.
float glass
transparent glass with flat, parallel surfaces formed on the surface of a pool of molten tin.
gasket
a rubber or plastic pliable material used to separate glazed glass and aluminum or vinyl.
glazing
the process of installing glass or panels into the sash or frame of the window.
glazing bead
a molding or stop around a window frame to hold the glass in place by pressure.
gusset
a concealed, strong, right-angled shape used to reinforce mitered corners in tubular aluminum extrusions.
head
the upper horizontal member of a window frame.
head receptor
a u-shaped extrusion slipped over the frame head that, when pushed up, closes the gap above the door.
heat fusion
(welding) method to join PVC frame and/or sash members by heating the cut ends, squeezing them together, and allowing the assembly to cool.
Heat Mirror™
a triple-ply insulating glass unit utilizing a polyester internal film with a special coating to reflect heat, but allows light to pass through. Heat Mirror is a trademark of Southwall Technologies Inc.
heat treating
the process where glass or aluminum extrusions are heated and cooled to make these materials harder and stronger.
hermetically sealed unit
an insulating glass unit that is sealed against moisture. The unit is made up of two lites of glass, separated by a roll-formed metal spacer tube (at the full perimeter) which contains a moisture and/or solvent absorbing material. The unit is then completely sealed, creating a moisture free air space.
hollow extrusion
an extrusion having an enclosed cavity within it.
IGCC
Insulating Glass Certification Council - directs a certification program of periodic accelerated laboratory testing and unannounced plant inspections to ensure sealed insulating glass performance is in conformance with ASTM E 774-88.
inside snap trim
used in retrofit work to cover the inside gap between the new window and the existing opening.
insulating glass
two pieces of glass spaced apart and hermetically sealed to form a unit with an air space between. Heat transmission through this type of glass may be as low as half that without such an air space.
integral mullion
a frame member trapped within the master frame to separate vents or fixed glass.
interior glazed
glass glazed from the interior of the building.
interlock
a design feature which enables sash or panels to become engaged with one another when closed.
jamb
the vertical member of a window frame.
K.D.
Knocked Down - product components that are shipped unassembled, e.g., the frame for a sliding glass door.
keeper
a hardware device into which a window locking latch engages for security.
laminated glass
two or more lites of glass bonded together with a plastic inner layer.
left or right
location information, always outside looking in, that can be used to specify direction, e.g., "the operating sash or panel slides to the right."
lite
a single (monolithic) glass pane or piece.
Low E glass
a transparent coating applied to a glass surface to separate long wave (heat) energy and short wave (light) energy. The long wave is reflected back to the heat source. The short wave is allowed to pass through the coating.
marine glazing
a u-channel of soft PVC which is wrapped around the edge of the glass, cushioning the glass against the aluminum or vinyl. This process allows for unrestricted expansion and contraction and watertightness.
meeting stile
the part of a sliding door or window where the two sash meet and create a weather barrier.
mill finish
the original finish produced on aluminum by extruding.
mullion
an extrusion that joins fixed panels together.
mullion cover
an extrusion that joins panning perimeter legs that extend over existing mullions.
muntin
extrusions in the sash or panel which are exterior (outside of the glass exterior face), internal (in the insulating glass airspace), or true (dividing the glass) which appear to or actually divide the glass into smaller lites.
neoprene
a synthetic rubber having physical properties closely resembling those of natural rubber. It has extremely good weather and temperature resistance, both heat and cold, with ultraviolet stability.
nite latch
hardware which, when extended, restricts the sash opening to a predetermined dimension.
obscure glass
mainly used for decoration, diffusion, or privacy. The pattern is rolled into the hot glass during glass manufacturing.
oriel window
a window with unequal sash.
panel
either an opaque glazing material or the operating or fixed portion of a sliding glass door.
panning
a set of extrusions which are fastened to a new window to cover the exterior perimeter of an existing opening in a retrofit application.
prime frame
a window frame which has an extended perimeter leg 1" back from the window exterior plane, which becomes a nailing fin for new construction installation.
psf
pounds per square foot - a measurement of air pressure used in window testing, e.g., 1.56 psf (25 mph) or 6.24 psf (50 mph).
PVC
Poly Vinyl Chloride - in rigid frame/sash members, and in flexible gaskets.
R value
a measurement of heat resistance (the higher, the better). R value = the number 1 divided by the U value.
rail
a horizontal sash or panel member.
jamb receptor
framing system consisting of two snap-together extrusions used to contain a window frame head and jambs in a masonry type opening. It allows for deflection and inconsistencies in the openings.
reflective glass
glass with metallic coatings applied onto or into the glass surface to reduce solar radiant energy and visible light transmission.
sash
the operating portion of a hung or horizontal sliding window.
sash stop
cover in jamb track that reduces sash travel on hung windows.
screw boss
a continuous screw track in an extrusion. The track is designed to accept a specific diameter sheet metal screw to provide a secure means of fastening extrusions without the use of reinforcement.
SGCC
Safety Glazing Certification Council - administers tempered glass testing and certification program.
sill
the lower horizontal member of a window frame.
sill angle
extrusion that, when applied below the window, permits the gap below the window to be closed after window installation.
single strength glass
(SSB) 3/32" thickness.
solid extrusion
an extruded shape other than a hollow or a semi-hollow extruded shape. Less costly to produce compared to semi or hollow shapes.
spandrel glass
glass mounted between floors of a building. It is usually made opaque to hide building components.
STC
Sound Transmission Class - describes acoustical control for interior panels, and, even though inadequate, is currently the only criteria for exterior windows. The higher the number, the better the product is at resisting typical sound frequencies excluding airplane and train noises.
stile
a vertical sash or panel member.
subsill
refers to extrusions positioned to collect water leakage through mullions and products and drain it to the exterior. Used where high performance water resistance is required and for windows joined with mullions. It runs continuously across the opening width and can be spliced together to cover wide openings. The ends are sealed with end dams.
tempered glass
glass that has first been cut to size, then heated to a very high temperature and then rapidly brought back to room temperature. It will withstand severe punishment from a blunt object; however, any pointed object will break the glass instantly and the glass will crumble into many, very small pieces.
thermal break
an element of low conductivity (polyurethane) placed between elements of higher conductivity (aluminum) to reduce the flow of heat and cold.
thermosetting
baking the organic paint finish on aluminum to endure a tight bond and long life.
tinted glass
glass of special formulation to produce light reducing and/or heat absorbing glass products (bronze, gray or green).
U value
a measurement of heat transmission. The U value of a window is measured by the number of BTU's that will pass through each square foot of area per degree of temperature difference from one side of the window to the other (the lower, the better). U value = the number 1 divided by the R value.
united inches
the sum total of one window width and one window height expressed in inches.
vent
the operating portion of a window that swings or projects in or out.
wedge glazing
a flexible, continuous gasket that ensures a high compression seal between the glass and glazing bead by applying pressure.
weep slot
an opening cut into a window sill to allow water to drain to the exterior.
wind load
the amount of pressure exerted by the wind on a window or door generally expressed in pounds per square foot (psf).
window size
always expressed as width first, then height.
wire glass
1/4" clear or obscure glass having a layer of diamond or square pattern wire mesh embedded in the glass lite.
"XX" sliding window
"X" indicates moving sash or panel = both sash or panel operate.
"XO" sliding window
"O" indicates fixed sash or panel = left sash or panel slides and right sash or panel is fixed.
