When it comes to choosing a window, you will encounter a wide arrange of terminology and specifications. These terms can become very overwhelming to the average consumer, as most of us are not chemists! What we hope to do here is explain the basics of window composition so that when you choose a window, you will be better prepared to talk ‘business ‘with your window company.

1.    The Frame: The enclosure that holds the window panes in place.

2.    Head Jam: The groove at the top of the frame that allows the window panes to slide in and remain intact inside the frame.

3.    Side Jam: Grooves in the side of the frame that allow the sashes to move up and down, or tilt outward.

4.    Sash: The window pane. The upper pane of glass is called the Upper Sash and the lower pane is the Lower Sash.

5.    Single and Double Hung: When the Upper Sash is fixed this is considered Single Hung. When both the Upper and Lower Sashes move (slide up and down or tilt outward) these are Double Hung windows.

6.    Window Trim: This joins the window frame to the wall. This allows the window to fit seamlessly into the exterior wall.

7.    Grids, Grilles, Grilles between the Glass, (GBG’s) - Decorative grids installed between the glass or applied on the glass surface (SDL & STDL) creating the appearance of the glass being divided.

8.    Cladding: the material locked to the exterior face of doors and windows to provide a durable exterior surface.

9.     Casement Window, - A window with hinged on the right or left side and opens outward for ventilation. Aspen’s casement window is designed so the sash moves in from the hinge side allowing you to access and clean the exterior glass from the inside of your home.

10.    Awning Window, - The sash is hinged in the side and opens outward for ventilation. The awning hinges are concealed and give a smooth looking unit and provide improved tamper resistance. The hinge is designed so the sash drops down as it opens. The bottom edge of the sash remains in approximately the same plane as the window sill. Awning Operators detach from the sash so the sash can be opened a full 90 degrees to both conform to egress codes and allow washing from inside.

11.    Bay Window, – A three window unit that projects out from the wall of the home. The windows are commonly projected at 30- or 45-degree angles. Aspen’s custom bay design shop allows us to make bay windows in many other degrees or styles. Our custom bay shop can design a bay window to special angles such as 9, 12, or 15 degree and can alter the standard dimensions to meet the needs of your particular home.

12.    Bow Window, - A 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7-lite configuration where the windows are mulled at a 9 degree angle to create a projection of a circular or arced appearance. Aspen’s custom bow design shop allows us to make bow windows in many other degrees or styles. Our custom bow shop can design a bow window to special angles such as 10, 12, or 15 degree and can alter the standard dimensions to meet the needs of your particular home.

13.    Low-E glass: A term used to refer to glass that has low emissivity because of coatings applied or suspended between the two panes of glass to limit the passage of radiant heat.

14.    Argon Gas, - A nontoxic, non-reactive, clear, and odorless gas which is denser than air. In a sealed glass insulating unit, air currents between the two panes of glazing carry heat to the top of the unit and settle into cold pools at the bottom. Filling the space with a less conductive, more viscous, or slow-moving gas minimizes the convection currents within the space, conduction through the gas is reduced, and the overall transfer of heat between the inside and outside is reduced

15.    Krypton Gas, - An inert, colorless gas used instead of air in sealed spaces between panes of glass. Used in insulating glass units to increase insulation. Krypton provides greater insulation properties than Argon gas.

16.    ENERGY STAR®, - ENERGY STAR® was introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the ENERGY STAR® label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular product categories. ENERGY STAR® has expanded to cover new homes, most of the buildings sector, residential heating and cooling equipment, major appliances, office equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, windows and doors. There are four regions on the ENERGY STAR® map and each region has specific energy performance requirements. Different glazing may be required to meet your specific region criteria.

Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): This is the fraction of heat admitted through a window, both directly transmitted and absorbed. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower the number, the less heat the window transmits.