Aluminum-clad windows and doors:
Windows or doors of wood construction covered on the exterior with extruded (EAGLE windows) or roll-formed aluminum. Has a factory-applied finish to deter the elements. The extruded aluminum adds structural capabilities to the product and helps eliminate warping and damage through handling.
Anchor strip:
Board around a window frame nailed to house framing. It also serves as windbreak. In newer windows, anchor strip may be plastic or metal.
Angle brace:
Wood member nailed across window frame at upper corners while frame is in a squared position in order to maintain squareness before installation.
Argon:
An odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic gas that is six times denser than air. Replacing the air between two panes of glass with argon gas reduces temperature transfer, making the surface of the glass inside the house closer to the inside temperature.
Astragal:
The center member of a double door, which is attached to the fixed or inactive door panel.
Apron:
Inside horizontal trim located under the window stool at the bottom of a unit.
Auxiliary frame window:
EAGLE’s version of a fixed, direct set window frame where glass is set directly into a frame without a sash. Is used in the creation of geometric and radius windows.
Awning window:
Hinged at the top, this window has a single sash that swings outward from the bottom.
Backband (also Backbend):
Millwork around outside edge of the window casing, usually installed when the casing consists of flat boards.
Balance:
Device for counterbalancing a sliding sash, usually associated with a double-hung window, so sash may be held open at any given position. Usually a system of cords, weights, springs, spiral devices or block and tackle hardware.
Barn sash:
Plain sash for farm or cottage, used as a fixed, sliding, or casement window; generally installed in a rough frame for utility or temporary structures.
Basement window (also sash, cellar sash):
Wood or metal in-swinging sash that is hinged at either the top or bottom.
Bay window:
A composite of 3 or more windows that project out from the wall. Usually consists of one large center window with two flanking fixed or operating windows at 30, 45, or 90 degree angles to the wall.
Bead (also bead stop; stop):
Wood strip against which a swinging sash closes, as in a casement window. Also, a finishing trim at the sides and top of the frame to hold the sash, e.g., a fixed sash or a double-hung window sash.
Bedding:
Method of glazing in which a thin layer of putty or glazing compound is placed in the glass rabbet, the glass pressed into the bed, the glazier’s points (metal tabs) driven, and the sash is face-puttied over the points.
Bottom rail:
Bottom horizontal member of a window sash.
Bow window:
A composite of 3 or more windows in a radial or bow formation. Typically consists of casement win¬dows both fixed and operating assembled at 10 degree angles from the wall.
Boxed mullion:
Hollow mullion between two double-hung windows to hold sash weights.
Box-head window:
Window made so the sash can slide vertically into the wall space above the header.
Brickmold:
Standard outside casing around the window to cover the gap between the window frame and the opening. Nails are driven through the molding to install the window to the framed opening.
Cabinet window:
Projecting window for the display of goods, as in a retail store.
Cameo window:
Fixed oval window, generally with surrounding moldings and ornaments, often found on Colonial Revival Houses.
Caming (Cames):
Lead strips which bond small pieces of decorative glass in windows.
Cap:
Decorative molded projection, or cornice, covering the lintel of a window.
Casement:
A window with side hinges that cranks outward from either the right or left.
Casement operator:
A hardware device used to operate a casement window to any open position.
Casing:
Molding or trim available in many widths, thicknesses and profiles applied to the frame around a window or door to cover the space between the window frame and wall.
Center-hung sash:
A sash that pivots on pins in the middle of the sash stiles and sides of the window frame to allow access for cleaning from the inside.
Check rail:
On a double-hung window, the bottom rail of the upper sash and the upper rail of the lower sash, where the lock is mounted.
Chicago window:
A large fixed sash flanked by a narrow, often mov¬able, sash on either side. First used by Chicago School architects in the late l9th and early 20th Century.
Circle top:
A generic term referring to a variety of window units with one or more curved frame members, often used over another window or door.
Cladding:
Usually an aluminum or vinyl material fixed to the outside faces of wood windows and doors to provide a durable, low-maintenance surface.
Clerestory window:
A venting or fixed window in the upper part of a lofty room that admits light to the center of a room.
Colonial windows:
Windows with small rectangular panes, or divided lites, designated as l2-lite, 16-lite and so on.
Combination window unit (also combination storm sash and screen:
Window assembly containing a half screen and two glass storm panels; in summer the bottom storm panel is stored in the top frame, exposing the screen panels.
Condensation:
The deposit of water vapor from the air on any cold surface whose temperature is below the dew point, such as a window glass or frame that is exposed to cold outdoor air. Is controlled by limiting the amount of humidity inside of a room relative to the outdoor temperature.
Corner window:
Two windows meeting at a corner of a structure.
Coupled window:
Two separate windows separated by a mullion. Also called a double window.
Cottage double-hung window:
A double-hung window in which the upper sash is shorter than the lower sash.
Crank handle:
A handle that attaches to an awning or casement operator, used to open the venting window.
Diffusing glass:
Glass with an irregular surface for scattering light; used for privacy or to reduce glare.
Diocletian window:
Semi-circular window divided by wide mullions into three lights (lites). This ancient Roman style was later used by Palladio in the 16th century. Also called a Therm. Used in Classical Revival buildings of the early 1900s.
Dormer window:
A space which projects from the roof of a house, usually including one or more windows.
Double-hung window:
A window with two vertically moving sashes, each closing a different part of the window.
Double windows (also double glazing):
Two windows, such as a regular window plus a storm sash; also an insulating window with air space between glass panes.
Drip cap:
Horizontal exterior molding to divert water from the top casing so water drips beyond the outside of the frame.
Drop window:
Vertical window in which the sash can descend into a cavity in the wall below the sill.