Replacement Windows, Vinyl Padio Doors & Vinyl Siding    

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

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AAMA:  American Architectural Manufacturers Association. A national trade association that establishes standards for the window, door, and skylight industry.

Absorptance:  The ratio of radiant energy absorbed to total incident radiant energy in a glazing system.

Acrylic:  A thermoplastic with good weather resistance, shatter resistance, and optical clarity, used for glazing.

Aerogel:  A micro porous, transparent silicate foam used as a glazing cavity fill material, offering possible U-values below 0.10 BTU / (h-sq ft-°F) or 0.56 W/ (sq m-°C).

Air Chambers:  Small honeycomb spaces built into a window sash and frame that helps to insulate and strengthen the window.

 Air Infiltration:  Refers to the amount of air that passes between a window sash and frame. In windows it is measured in terms of cubic feet or air per minute, per square foot of area. The lower the number, the less air the window lets pass through.

Air Latch:  Latch mechanism on the interior face of the sash that keeps a window at a partially open position for ventilation.

Angled Exterior:  A sloped extension from the window frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.

Annealed Glass:  A standard sheet of plate glass. Annealed glass means glass that has been subjected to a slow, controlled cooling process during manufacture to control residual stresses so that it can be cut or subjected to other fabrication. Regular polished plate, float, sheet, rolled, and some patterned surface glasses are examples of annealed glass.

Annealing:  Heating above the critical or re-crystallization temperature, then controlled cooling of metal, glass, or other materials to eliminate the effects of cold-working, relieve internal stresses, or improve strength, ductility, or other properties.

ANSI:  American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States

Apron:  Inside flat trim member which is used under the stool at the bottom of a window.

Argon Gas:  An odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic gas which is six times denser than air. It is used to replace air between the glass panes to reduce temperature transfer between the panes of glass in a window.

ASTM:  American Society for Testing and Materials is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.

Astragal: The center member of a double door, which is attached to the fixed or inactive door panel.

Awning Window:  A window hinged at the top that swings outward for ventilation.