A Glossary of Common Window Terms

Have you ever found yourself talking to someone, perhaps during a consultation for replacement windows, where a lot of words you’re hearing just don’t sound familiar? We understand how that feels. That’s why we have prepared a list of common window terms for you.

For brevity, we’ve excluded defining the window styles, all of which you can find, complete with illustrations, through the “Windows” menu from our main page. Here are the main window-related terms you  need to know:

• Air leakage: The air that passes through closed doors and windows.
• Airspace: The space created by multiple window glazing (see “dual glazing”). Airspace is ideally a vacuum, which reduces the amount of heat being transferred through air molecules, thereby creating an insulating layer.
• Building envelope: A house’s floor, walls, and ceiling, plus all openings form an enclosure called an envelope; the space within is known as conditioned interior space.
• Condensation: In this context, this is the moisture or fogging seen on window glass, typically due to leaks in the window.
• Dividers: Also known as muntins, grilles, or grids, this is the part of the window that separates the glass into smaller viewing areas.
• Dual glazing: Two layers of glass forming an airspace in between. Some replacement windows have triple glazing to further reduce conductivity.
• Fenestration: A general term for openings in the wall, which includes doors and windows, and provides entry and exit, air, and light.
• Fixed window: A non-operable window, such as a picture window.
• Glazing: A single sheet of insulating window glass, sometimes called pane or panel.
• Operable: Intended to be opened and closed. Note that the opposite is non-operable; the word “inoperable” is a medical term.
• Sash: The part of a window that accommodates the glazing. For example, a double-hung window has two sashes, while a casement window has one.
• Weatherstrip: Sometimes referred to as weather seal, weatherstripping is a flexible component used to reduce air leaks and water penetration.

Renewal by Andersen® of Portland serves residents in and around Tigard, West Linn, and Beaverton, OR. To learn more about our replacement windows, call us today at (503) 419-3960 or fill out our contact form for a free in-home consultation.