Beclawat

Terminology & Definitions

If you’re new the window world, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of some common industry lingo:

Term Definition
Aluminum Extrusion Aluminum extrusion is a process by which aluminum alloy is forced through a die with a specific cross-sectional profile.
Annealed Glass The process of slowly cooling hot glass after it has been formed, to relieve internal stresses introduced during manufacture.
Anodized Aluminum that has been treated with an electrolytic process that controls the natural oxidization and as a result becomes non-conductive, creates strength and durability.
Anti-Graffiti (AG) Film Designed to protect glass from scratches, abrasion, and acid-etching. Optically-clear film doesn’t impede window visibility.
Bill of Materials A list of the raw materials, sub-assemblies, intermediate assemblies, sub-components, parts and the quantities of each needed to manufacture an end product.
Chemically Tempered/Strengthened Glass A chemical post-production process that increasing glass strength, submerged in a bath of potassium salt.
Clamping Ring An ring that sits on the interior portion of the mainframe that secures the window to opening/interface.
Curved Glass A sheet of glass that is bent or curved (can be 2-dimensional or multi-directional).
Dot Matrix A pattern that simulates a smooth gradient by gradually decreasing the size of the solid black dots as it moves inwards.
This provides a more visually pleasing transition from the black frit band to the transparent glass.
Double Glazing Insulating glass consists of two or more glass window panes separated by a ambient air or gas-filled space to reduce heat transfer.
Edging Glass edging is a grinding process performed to remove the sharp, raw edge of a glass component. It can take on various profiles and shapes.
Flat Wire Technology Ultra thin conduction wires (made of Tungsten) placed between two panes of glass.
Frit (Ceramic or Jet Printed) Ceramic printing on glass is a technological development used for the application of imagery, pattern or text to the surface of flat glass. It also provides a bonding adhesion surface for “frameless” window designs.
Rubber Fulcrum The gasket in the window that retains the glass within the aluminum frame.
Gasket Rubber most commonly used, to secure the seal around doors and windows
Glazing Derived from the Middle English for ‘glass’, is a part of a wall or window, made of glass.
Thermally or Heat Tempered Glass Glass heated to 1200 degrees F/650 degrees C, with 3500-7200 psi/69 mPa, with a slow cooling process, results in glass twice as strong as annealed or untreated glass.
Heated Glass When a transparent, electrically-conductive coating is applied then subjected to an electrical current creating heat that radiates through the glass.
Hopper Window Windows with a hinged, movable sash at the top of the frame, that open inward or outward.
Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) See “Double Glazing”
Laminated Glass A type of safety glass that holds together when shattered/broken, held in place by an interlayer (typically polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
Mechanically Fastened Common method of joining materials, can be permanent or non-permanent.
Mill Finish This is a bare metal with no protective coating. This finish will oxidize naturally.
Mitered Corners Mitered corners are millwork corners cut at angles which bisect the joined angle.
Monolithic Glass A single pane of glass formed using float glass, modified to increase strength, increased insulation, and safety.
Mullion A vertical or horizontal bar between the panes of glass in a window.
Nano-Fusion Nano-Fusion is a protective coating that fills and covers the microscopic ridges, in layers on the glass creating a durable resistance to water buildup and increased scratch resistance. The process generates a long-lasting chemical bond on the glass that greatly reduces maintenance.
Powder Coat Dry paint pigments applied electrostatically, then cured to form layer that offers strength protection from outdoor elements. Available in a wide range of colours and finishing.
Radius Corners Describes how rounded the corners are.
Sash A window sash is the part of the window that holds the glass and the framework around the glass to keep it in place. Window sashes are fitted into the window frame and may or may not be movable.
Sealed Unit Glass or glazing that sits inside the frame, consists of two or more panes of glass separated by a vacuum or gas filled pocket.
Shaped Glass A sheet of glass cut into shapes.
Silkscreen A layer of ceramic ink on the surface of glass, through a screen mesh design, completed after the tempering or heat-strengthening process.
Spallshield A film that prevents spalling (the shower of glass that occurs when conventional glass is penetrated from the opposite side) and can also be specified in thicknesses that achieve various levels of penetration resistance
Static Load Static loading refers to the load on an actuator when it is in a fixed or stationary condition. The static load capacity of an actuator refers to how much weight the actuator can safely hold without back driving or causing damage.
Stop Block A stop block is a simple reusable jig used in metalworking and woodworking to locate a common edge of a workpiece so that multiple workpieces can get the same operation performed quickly.
Tempered Glass Also known as toughened glass or safety glass, processed by controlled thermal treatment to increase strength (outer surface compression and interior surfaces into tension)
Tooling Known as machine tooling, the process of acquiring the manufacturing components and machines needed for production. The common categories of machine tooling include fixtures, jigs, gauges, molds, dies, cutting equipment and patterns.
VLT (Visible Light Transmission) The measurable amount of solar visible light (daylight) that travels through a glazing system
Watertight Constructed or fitted so tightly as to be impervious to water
Weathertight Capable of preventing the ingress of water or other forms or precipitation.
Weld-In Join together (metal pieces or parts) by heating the surfaces to the point of melting using a blowtorch, electric arc, or other means.