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Glossary

Here are some of the most common terms involving windows and window manufacturing.

acrylcolor	Colour method in which toned acrylic resin is bonded onto the white polymer shape in one step, creating an unbreakable bond between the two materials. Window profiles with acrylcolor colour are extremely weather resistant, colour-fast, scratch-resistant and easy to clean.
Cladding	Material placed on the exterior of the window sashes and frames.
Condensation	Water that collects on a surface that is cooler than the air. Often seen in winter, as droplets that form on a window pane. Proper airing and insulated glass can prevent condensation.
dB	Short for decibel, the unit in which loudness is measured.
Fenestration	The placement of window openings in a building wall. The term can also mean a window, door, or skylight and its associated elements.
Frame	The fixed part of the window or door that connects to the wall. Also known as the jamb.
Glazing bead	Removable trim that holds glass in place. Also known as glass stop.
Handle	The grip that works the locking hardware of a window.
Hardware	The mechanical parts of the window, such as locking elements, handle and hinges. The hardware connects the sash to the frame.
Jamb	The fixed part of the window or door that connects to the wall. Also known as the frame.
Lamination	A method of adding colour to a window by bonding a printed foil on to the surface. The foil laminate can be solid colours or a wood décor with a tactile surface that imitates the wood grain.
Lite	The individual pane of glass in a window. Although the spelling "light" is also used, most manufacturers use "lite" to avoid confusion with light passing through a window.
Meeting stiles	The abutting stiles in a pair of casement windows. Meeting stiles overlap with a rebate, so that the weather can be kept out.
Mullion	A major structural vertical or horizontal member between window units or sliding glass doors. This term is often confused with muntin.
Muntin	A secondary framing member (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) to hold multiple window panes in a single sash. This term is often confused with mullion.
Opening styles	There are a wide variety of mechanisms and methods available for windows. The most common style in Germany is the tilt-turn window, but there are other options available. Which style you choose depends upon the size, location, usage and personal taste.
Passive house	A home that uses only the heat provided by the sun through the windows and the occupants instead of a heater. This "passive" energy should be enough to keep the rooms warm during the normal heating season. In Europe the term is restricted to buildings that use no more than 120 kilowatt hours per square foot of living space.
Primary energy requirement	The basic amount of energy needed to heat a building, with all factors taken into account. The primary energy requirement is a tool in determining the energy efficiency of the building.
Rebate	A stepped groove. Most casement frames have a rebate seam with the sash to keep the weather out. Also known as a rabbet or rabbeting.
Roll shutter	The roll shutter is a protective shutter that is stored in a box above the window that can be operated without having to open the window. The roll shutter system adds protection, shading and insulation to a window.
Sash	An assembly of stiles and rails (vertical and horizontal members) made into a frame for holding glass. The term is most common when referring to vertical slide windows.
Transom	A small window placed above a window or door.
U-Value	The rate of heat flow through a building component. The U-value (also known as U-factor) is expressed in watts per square metre and degrees Kelvin (W/m²K). The U-value measures how many watts of energy pass through a square metre of the component by an indoor/outdoor temperature difference of one degree Kelvin. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation.

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