When it comes to home improvement, understanding the terminology used in the world of doors and windows can be crucial. Whether you are renovating your home or simply looking to make some updates, knowing these terms can help you communicate more effectively with contractors and make informed decisions. Here's a comprehensive glossary of key door and window terms that you might encounter:
1. Astragal
An astragal is a molding or strip that covers or closes the gap between the edges of a pair of doors. Some astragals are meant for security and can be equipped with locking mechanisms.
2. Bay Window
A bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building, forming a bay in a room, either square or polygonal in plan. Such windows can make a room appear larger and are often used in living rooms to provide expansive views.
3. Casement Window
A casement window is attached to its frame by one or more hinges at the side. They are used singly or in pairs within a common frame and are opened with a handle.
4. Double-Hung Window
This type of window has two parts (sashes) that overlap slightly and slide up and down inside the frame. Double-hung windows can be opened from the top or bottom, but they remain inside the frame so they don't protrude to the exterior or interior of the house.
5. Egress Window
An egress window is designed for safety and is large enough for an adult to exit through in case of an emergency. These are typically required in bedrooms and basements where extra escape routes are necessary.
6. Flashing
Flashing consists of thin pieces of impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint or as part of a weather-resistant barrier system. In windows and doors, flashing is used to direct water away from openings and protect the interior from water damage.
7. Glazing
Glazing refers to the glass part of a window or the process of installing glass, which typically involves the use of a sealant and/or a glazing bead. Glazing can vary in thickness and type, impacting insulation, noise reduction, and UV protection.
8. Header
A header is a horizontal structural member located at the top of a window or door opening to support the weight of the structure above. Headers are crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of an opening.
9. Insect Screen
An insect screen is designed to cover the opening of a window or door. The mesh material allows fresh air to circulate while keeping insects, leaves, and other debris out.
10. Jamb
The jamb is the vertical portion of the frame onto which a door or window is secured. The jamb also helps to keep the structure aligned and provides a surface for mounting hardware like hinges and locks.
11. Mullion
A mullion is a vertical bar between the panes of glass in a window. Mullions are used to structurally support and separate windows into sections.
12. Sash
A sash is a single frame for glazing in a window. It may be movable, as in a double-hung window, or fixed, as seen in picture windows.
13. Transom
A transom is a horizontal structural bar or window placed over a door or larger window. Transoms are often used for additional light and aesthetic purposes.
14. Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping involves applying a sealing strip along windows and doors to prevent rain and outside air from entering. This is an essential feature for enhancing energy efficiency and comfort in your home.
15. Weep Hole
Weep holes are small openings at the bottom of the exterior frame of a window or door, which allow for moisture to escape from within the wall cavity to the exterior, preventing water from pooling and causing damage.
Additional Terms of Interest:
Apron:
Horizontal trim board under a window stool.
Awning window:
Has a top-hinged sash.
Balance, or balance spring:
Device for counterbalancing a sliding sash, usually associated with a double-hung window, so sash may be held open at any given position.(See Acme Duplex for the original and still the best balances.)
Bay window:
A window that projects out from the wall and extends to ground level.
Bead (also bead stop; stop):
Wood strip against which a swinging sash closes.
Bedding:
Method of glazing.
Bottom rail:
Bottom horizontal part of a window sash.
Bow window (also compass, radial bay window):
A rounded bay window extending from a wall in an arc, typically built with five sashes.
Cabinet window:
Window that extends, typically for the display of goods.
Cameo window:
Fixed oval window, often found on Colonial Revival Houses.
Casement:
Window sash which either swing in or swing out on side hinges
Casing: Trim - molding or framing around a window or door.
Center-hung sash:
A sash that pivots on pins in the middle of the sash stiles.
Chicago window:
A large fixed sash with a narrow, often movable, sash on either side.
Clerestory or clearstory window
A window in the upper part of a lofty room or ceiling.
Colonial windows:
Windows with small rectangular panes, or divided lites.
Corner window:
Two windows that meet at a corner of a building.
Coupled window: (Double Window)
Two independent windows separated with a mullion.
Dormer window:
Window in a wall that either projects or is recessed on a sloping roof.
Double-hung window:
A window with two sashes, each closing a different part of the window.
Fanlight, sunburst light, fan window, circle-top transom
A half-circle window over a door or window.
Fixed light or fixed sash
Window which doesn't open.
French window:
Two casement sashes hinged to open in the middle. Typically extend to the floor and serves as a door to a porch or terrace.
Gothic-head window:
Window topped with a pointed arch
Hopper light, hopper vent, hopper ventilator:
Inward-opening ash hinged at the bottom.
Jalousie windows, louvered windows:
A window with overlapping narrow glass, metal, or wooden louvers, operated with a crank handle for adjusting the louver angles.
Jamb:
Vertical members at the side of the window frame.
Lancet window:
Tall, narrow window with a pointed-arch top
Light, lite:
A pane of glass within a window.
Oriel window:
A window projecting from the wall and carried on brackets, corbels, or a cantilever. Unlike a bay window, the projection of an oriel does not extend all the way to the ground.
Panel window:
A form of picture window consisting of several sash or fixed glazings, separated by crossbars or mullions--or both.
Picture window:
Large fixed window.
Projected window:
Awning type window that swings either inwards or outwards at the top or the bottom.
Queen Anne window:
A window with small glass windows or lights arranged in various forms, usually only on the upper sash.
Sash (also window sash):
Framework of stiles and rails in which the lights of a window are set.
Sash and frame:
A window and its cased framing.
Side light (also Margin light):
A fixed often narrow glass window next to a door opening or window opening.
Single-hung window:
Window similar to double-hung window, except the top sash is stationary.
Solid frame:
Window frame made from a single piece of lumber.
Splayed window:
Window unit set at an angle in a wall.
Stacked windows:
Combined grouping of awning, hopper, casement, or non-operative windows to form a large glazed unit.
Tempered glass:
Special heat-treated, high-strength safety glass which shatters into pebble-sized particles and not in slivers.
Top hung-in window:
An awning window pivoted at the top and with the bottom swinging-in.
Transom (also transom bar):
Horizontal member separating a door from a window panel above the door, or separating one window above another.
Transom light:
Window sash located above a door.
Vertical sliding window:
One or more sash that move in a vertical direction.
SCREEN & SCREEN COMPONENTS
SCREEN FRAME COMPONENTS
SCREEN MESH | ALUMINUM
SCREEN MESH | FIBERGLASS
SCREEN MESH | HIGH VISIBILITY
SCREENS | PATIO DOOR
SCREENS | PRE-ASSEMBLED
SCREENS | RETRACTABLE
SCREENS | SECURITY
SPLINE
Door & Window Hardware
ASSEMBLY SCREWS/FASTENERS
AWNING HARDWARE
BALANCE SHOES
BALANCES | BLOCK & TACKLE
BALANCES | SPIRAL
BALANCES | STEEL SPRING
BARN DOOR HARDWARE
CASEMENT HARDWARE
CELESTORY HARDWARE
CYLINDRICAL LOCKS
DEADBOLTS
DOOR CLOSERS
DOOR STOPS
DOUBLE HUNG HARDWARE
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS
ENTRY DOOR HARDWARE
ESCUTCHEONS
EXIT DEVICES
FOLDING DOOR HARDWARE
FRENCH DOOR HARDWARE
HANDLES | CASEMENT/AWNING
HANDLES/HANDLESETS | INTERIOR DOOR
HANDLES/HANDLESETS | SLIDING DOOR
HANDLES/HANDLESETS | SWING DOOR
HANDLES/PULLS | HUNG/SLIDING WINDOWS
HINGES | ADJUSTABLE DOOR
HINGES | AWNING
HINGES | CASEMENT
HINGES | ENTRY DOORS
HINGES | FOUR-BAR
HINGES | FULLY-REVERSIBLE
HINGES | INTERIOR DOOR
HINGES | PATIO DOOR
INJECTION MOLDED PARTS
JALOUSIE HARDWARE
KEEPERS | CASEMENT/AWNING
KEEPERS | HUNG/SLIDING WINDOW
LEVERSETS
LOCKS | AWNING
LOCKS | CASEMENT
LOCKSETS
MORTISE LOCKSETS
MULTIPOINT HARDWARE | CASEMENT
MULTIPOINT HARDWARE | SLIDING DOOR
MULTIPOINT HARDWARE | SWING DOOR
OPERATORS | AWNING
OPERATORS | CASEMENT
OPERATORS | MOTORIZED
PIVOT BARS
POCKET DOOR HARDWARE
POLES | SKYLIGHTS
PUSH BARS
ROLLERS | SLIDING DOOR
ROLLERS | SLIDING WINDOW
SASH GUIDES
SASH LOCKS
SCREEN/STORM DOOR HARDWARE
SIDELITE HARDWARE
SINGLE HUNG HARDWARE
SKYLIGHT HARDWARE
SLIDING WINDOW HARDWARE
SNUBBERS
STRIKE PLATES
TILT LATCHES
TILT MECHANISMS
TILT/SLIDE HARDWARE
TILT/TURN MECHANISMS
VENT LATCHES
VENT LOCKS/SLIDING DOOR
VENTILATORS
WEEP HOLE COVERS
WINDOW OPENING CONTROL DEVICES
FLASHING SYSTEMS & MATERIALS
INSTALLATION & TRIM RELATED PRODUCTS
LEAD SAFE SYSTEMS
ROLL-FORMED & EXTRUDED METAL COMPONENTS
SCREEN & SCREEN COMPONENTS
WEATHERSEALS- SEALANTS & RELATED PRODUCTS
ADHESIVES
BEDDING/GLAZING SEALANTS
BEDDING/GLAZING TAPES
BUMPERS
CHIMNEY BLOCKS/BAFFLES
COMPRESSION SEALS
DUST PLUGS
FOAM TAPES
GLAZING BEADS
HARDWARE GASKETS
JAMB GASKETS
JAMBLINER ASSEMBLIES
JAMBLINERS
MULTI-DUROMETER EXTRUSIONS
SEALANTS | BUTYL
SEALANTS | POLYISOBUTYLENE
SEALANTS | POLYSULFIDE
SEALANTS | POLYURETHANE
SEALANTS | SILICONE
SILLS | PATIO DOOR
SWEEPS
WEATHERSEALS
WEATHERSTRIPPING | BRUSH
WEATHERSTRIPPING | BULB
WEATHERSTRIPPING | FIN
WEATHERSTRIPPING | FOAM
WEATHERSTRIPPING | MAGNETIC
WEATHERSTRIPPING | PILE
FLASHING SYSTEMS & MATERIALS
FLASHING MATERIALS
FLEXIBLE MOULDING/TRIM
FOAM SEALANT | INSULATING
INTERIOR TRIM
LOUVERS
MDF MOULDINGS
MILLWORK | CURVED
MILLWORK | FINGER-JOINTED
MILLWORK | SOLID WOOD
MILLWORK | SYNTHETIC
MULLING COMPONENTS/ SYSTEMS
NAILING FINS/FLANGES Amesbury Extruded Products
POWER TOOLS
SCREWS/FASTENERS | WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION
SEALANTS | WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION
SHIMS
SILL PAN FLASHING
SILLS | WINDOW
TOOLS | WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION/REMOVAL
TRIM COMPONENTS | ALUMINUM
TRIM COMPONENTS | STEEL
TRIM COMPONENTS | SYNTHETIC
TRIM COMPONENTS | VINYL
TRIM COMPONENTS | WOOD
WINDOW MANTELS
INSTALLATION & TRIM RELATED PRODUCTS
BASEMENT WINDOW WELLS
BAY/BOW SUPPORT SYSTEMS
BRICKMOULD
ENTRY DOOR SURROUNDS
EXTENSION JAMBS
EXTERIOR TRIM
ROLL-FORMED & EXTRUDED METAL COMPONENTS
ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS
ALUMINUM WINDOW SYSTEMS
CLADDING | EXTRUDED
CLADDING | ROLL-FORMED
CORNER KEYS
FOAM FILLING EQUIPMENT
PROFILE LAMINATION MACHINES
TEFLON FABRIC (FOR VINYL WELDERS)
TOOLS AND DIES
VINYL FABRICATING EQUIPMENT
WELDERS | FOUR-HEAD
WELDERS | SINGLE-HEAD
WELDERS | TWO-HEAD
WELDING/CLEANING LINES
Understanding these terms can greatly aid in your next door or window project, ensuring you choose the right features for your home's needs and aesthetics. Whether you're talking to a contractor or selecting products, a little knowledge goes a long way in the world of home improvement.
