Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A : Indicates that the window is an Awning operator (hinged on top). See Awning Window.
Arch : Window with two 90 degree bottom corners and a rounded top. Also known as an extended half round or extended round top.
Argon Gas Fill : Argon is a colorless, odorless, nonflammable, non-reactive, inert gas. Argon gas fills are used to reduce heat loss in sealed units by slowing down convection in the air space. Argon gas is very cost efficient, and works in unison with Low E coated glazing.
Awning Window : An operating style of window that use a sash hinged on the sides that swings open at the bottom towards the exterior. Awning operators are especially suited for rooms that require a venting unit, even during rain or snow, like washrooms and kitchens.
Bay Window : A bay window is made up of three or more windows. The side or flanker units project out from the building in 45, 60 or 90 degree angles. The center is parallel with building wall and is made up of one or more windows. All the units can be stationary, operating, or any combination thereof.
Brickmould : Outside casing around window to cover jambs and through which nails are driven to install the window.
Bow Window : Bow windows are a style of window assembly consisting of four or more window units attached at small angles (11 degrees – 15 degrees) to each other. Bow windows give an impression of a curve and are ideal for increasing a living or dining rooms dimensions.
Box Frame : Complete window less casing and subsill or nailing fin. Also known as an “insert”.
C : Indicates that the window is a casement operator (hinged on the left or right side). See Casement Window.
Casement Window : Casements are operating windows that have a sash hinged at the top and bottom which swings open at the side towards the exterior (like a door) to create a venting unit. Casement operators provide the most venting of all the operating windows, and are easy to clean from the inside of the room.
Cladding : Aluminum material attached to the outside of a window which creates a more durable, long-lasting window. Cladding is factory-applied in many colors and does not require painting.
Clear Jamb : Also known as stain grade. Wood material suitable for staining.
Condensation : Moisture or humidity in the air that forms on a cool surface such as a pane of glass. When moist air comes in contact with a cool surface it shrinks. If it shrinks enough to reach 100% humidity or the dew point, moisture will form on the cool surface. This is demonstrated when the out side of a glass of ice tea sweats.
Conduction : Conduction is a term used to describe heat loss through solid materials (frame, spacer bar). Each individual material has a different rate of conduction, which is measured by it's U-Value.
Door Frame : A group of wood parts machined and assembled to form an enclosure and support for a door.
Door Jamb : The part of a door frame that surrounds and contacts the edges of the stiles and the top rail of a door.
Double glazing : Use of two panes of glass in a window to increase energy efficiency and provide other performance benefits.
Emissivity : is a term used to describe a surfaces relative ability to absorb and reradiate heat. A surface with high emissivity will radiate heat faster that a surface with low emissivity. Emissivity is recorded on a scale of 0-1, where 0 would be the perfect white surface reflecting 100% of heat while 1 would be the perfect black surface that absorbs 100% of heat. Standard glass surfaces have an emissivity of 0.84, while low e glass surfaces have emissivity ratings of 0.08 to 0.04.
Energy Rating (ER) : Energy Rating is a value developed by the Canadian Standards Association to compare the overall thermal efficiency of windows. The higher the ER, the more efficient the overall window (frame, glass, spacer & air leakage).
F : Used to indicate that a window contains a fixed sash (a sash that does not open). See Fixed Window.
Fingerjoint : A means of joining individual pieces of wood together to form longer lengths. The ends of the pieces are machined to form a set of interlocking fingers, which are then coated with a water-resistant adhesive and meshed together under pressure.
Fire-Rated Door : A door that is required by building codes for certain parts of a building - between the garage and the house for residences- and takes a certain number of minutes to burn; usually 20, 60, or 90 minutes.
Fixed Window : A fixed window is a non-venting style that uses a fixed sash. Fixed windows are typically used when joined beside an operating window to keep a more balanced appearance.
G.P.W. : Georgian polished wire glass.
HS : Horizontal sliding window. See Horizontal Slider.
Half Round : A 1/2 circular window.
Head : The main horizontal member forming the top of the window or door frame.
Horizontal Slider : A window with a moveable panel that slides horizontally.
Jamb : Jamb(s) are the side components making up the window or door frame.
Jamb extension or liner : Metal or plastic covering the inside surface and head jambs of sliding windows.
L : Left handed operating casement as viewed from exterior. See Casement Window.
LH : Left hand designation for entrance and patio doors as viewed from exterior.
LHA : Left hand active double entrance door, or atrium door. Indicates that the left hand door is the fully operational panel.
Laminated Glass : A type of safety glass comprising of two pieces of glass with a clear vinyl interlay. This glass may break under impact, but typically remains integral. Splinters and sharp fragments adhere to the interlay. Laminated glass is ideal for area's where someone might fall against the glass, or to prevent forced entry.
Low-E glass : A common term used to refer to glass which has low emissivity due to a film or metallic coating on the glass or suspended between the two lights of glass to restrict the passage of radiant heat.
Mulling : The joining of individual window units to create a single multi-lite window. Also known as “coupling”
Nominal Size : A rounded off approximation of the window's dimension, eg. nominal size 4'6' is 47 l/2” x 70 7/8”, approx. 4' x 6'.
OS : Outswing, as in a door that swings to the outside.
O.S.M. : Outside measurement of a frame, or the outside dimension of the overall frame excluding exterior casing or brickmould. Also referred to as “Frame Size” and “Heal Size”
P : Indicates a picture window unit. See Picture Window below.
P.O. : Purchase order, generally unique number
Picture Window : Picture windows are non-operating windows with a sealed unit set directly into the frame (no sash). Picture windows provide a maximum glass viewing area and can be combined with other operating windows. Also known as Direct Set window.
Projection : Distance a Bay or Bow window protrudes from the wall, measured from like point, i.e.: sheathing to exterior of window. Projection also indicates the relative position of the nail fin on Gienow’s 550 Seville metal clad windows.
R : Right handed operating casement as viewed from exterior. See Casement Window.
R.H. : Right handed designation for an entrance or patio door as viewed from exterior.
RHA : Right hand active double entrance door or atrium door. Indicated that the right hand door is the fully operational panel.
R.O. : Rough Opening.
R-Value : R-value is a term used indicate an objects ability to resist heat loss. The higher the R-value, the better an objects ability to resist heat loss. R-values are determined by inverting the U-value (R=1/U).
Rakehead : Specialty windows of various design (anything non-rectangular or octagon shaped).
Rough Opening (or Rough Stud Opening): The opening left in a frame wall to receive a window or door unit.
S.D.L.: Abbreviation for Simulated Divided Lites.
SQ : Abbreviation for special quote.
SU : Abbreviation for sealed unit.
Safety Glass : Glass less prone to breakage and designed to break in a manner less conducive to personal injury, such as tempered, laminated, or Georgian Polished Wire (GPW).
Sash : The portion of a window that includes the glass and the framing sections directly attached to the glass, not to be confused with the complete frame into which the sash sections are fitted.
Seal Unit: Two pieces of glass hermetically sealed to form one insulating unit. Also known as insulated glass (IG).
Seat board : A flat board cut to fit the contour of a bow or bay window and installed between the sills and the flat wall surface, providing a seat or shelf space.
Sidelight : An assembly of stiles and rails, with or without a wood panel, containing a single row of glass panels or lights and installed on one or both sides of an exterior door frame, especially a front entrance door frame.
Skylight : A window installed in a roof and assuming the same slope. Depending on which direction they face, skylights can bring in more light and heat than windows.
Swinging Patio Door : A patio door of two or three sections, one of which swings like a regular door, with the other sections fixed.
Tempered Glass : 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 on windows that are located near doors.
Transom : A smaller window above a door or another window. A transom joint is also the horizontal joining area between two window units which are stacked one on top of the other.
Trim: Millwork, primarily moldings and/or trim, that finishes off window and door openings. Gienow supplies interior trims to match the curved portion of curved top windows (must be ordered separately).
Triple glazing : A sash glazed with three lights of glass, enclosing two separate air spaces.
U-Factor : A measure of heat transmission through a wall or window. The rate of heat flow-value through the complete heat barrier, from room air to outside air. The lower the U-factor, the better the insulating value.
Venting Unit : An operating window or door that allows air flow between the inside and outside of a building.