General Window Terms
- AAMA
- American Architectural Manufacturers Association
- Argon & Krypton Gas
- Inert, non-toxic gases used in insulating glass to reduce heat transfer
- Cladding
- Covering exterior of window to reduce maintenance, usually aluminum or vinyl
- Condensation
- Click for an Overview of Condensation and several ways to help eliminate it
- Frame
- Structure that holds glass in place esthetics
- Glass
- Roughly 90% of your window is glass. This is a good place to invest in performance
- Glazing
- Glass, may be multiple, I.E., insulated dual pane or triple pane
- Grills and Grids
- Simulate muntins appearance
- Installation
- The best window poorly installed will fail. Most window companies use sub-contractors but few will admit it
- Joinery
- Poor corner joinery can ruin windows made with the best materials
- Low-E
- Low emittance coating on the glass surface or on film suspended between pane of glass, also known as (Heat Mirror) which reflects long wave infrared radiation. Click HERE for more details on Low-E
- Materials
- Type of Window Materials and quality will greatly affect longevity
- Muntins
- Secondary framing members that hold glass in sash. Example would be "True Divided light"
- NFRC
- National Fenestration Rating Committee
- NWWDA
- National Wood Window and Door Association
- Safety Glass
- Tempered or Laminated
- Sash
- Structure that holds glass, usually the glass part
- Sill
- Sloping surface, for water to run off, at the bottom of the window
Priorities
Prioritize the benefits you want from new windows
- Function
- Comfort
- Energy Savings
- Esthetics
- Low Maintenance
