Residential ConstructionResidential ConstructionWindows & DoorsWindows & Doors

* Source: (1) Carpentry & Building Construction / Feirer & Feirer (2) Sill to Sash: A Professionals Guide to Windows & Doors

Window TerminologyWindow Terminology

Windows are factory assembled as complete Windows are factory assembled as complete units, often with the exterior casing in place.units, often with the exterior casing in place.The basic parts are the The basic parts are the glazingglazing, the , the sashsash, , and the and the frameframe..Glazing refers to the clear glass or plastic Glazing refers to the clear glass or plastic portions of a window. (the glass within each portions of a window. (the glass within each section may also be called a pane or light)section may also be called a pane or light)The sash is the part that holds the glazing The sash is the part that holds the glazing and the frame is the fixed part of the and the frame is the fixed part of the assembly that receives the sash.assembly that receives the sash.

Anatomy of a WindowAnatomy of a Window

1.1. TracksTracks2.2. ScreenScreen3.3. Mounting FlangeMounting Flange4.4. Exterior casingExterior casing5.5. Head jambHead jamb6.6. WeatherstrippingWeatherstripping7.7. SashSash8.8. GlazingGlazing9.9. MuntinsMuntins10.10.Removable storm Removable storm

panelpanel11.11.SillSill

Types of WindowsTypes of Windows

CasementCasement Have a single hinged side Have a single hinged side that swings inward or that swings inward or outwardoutwardOutward-swinging sash Outward-swinging sash does not get in the way of does not get in the way of furniture and the wind furniture and the wind tends to keep push tends to keep push outward-swinging sash outward-swinging sash against the against the weatherstripping making a weatherstripping making a tighter seal.tighter seal.Hardware consists of a Hardware consists of a rotary opener, a hinge rotary opener, a hinge assembly, and a sash lock.assembly, and a sash lock.

Types of WindowsTypes of Windows

Awning / HopperAwning / Hopper Awning windows Awning windows swing outward at t he swing outward at t he bottom.bottom.A hopper window is A hopper window is similar except that the similar except that the sash swings inward at sash swings inward at the top. Both types the top. Both types provide protection provide protection from rain while open.from rain while open.Hardware includes Hardware includes hinges, pivots, and hinges, pivots, and sash support arms.sash support arms.

Types of WindowsTypes of Windows

Horizontal SlidingHorizontal Sliding Resemble Resemble casement windows casement windows in appearance . in appearance . However, the However, the sashes slide sashes slide horizontally in horizontally in tracks or guides, tracks or guides, located on the sill located on the sill and head jamb.and head jamb.

Types of WindowsTypes of Windows

Double HungDouble Hung Consists of an upper and Consists of an upper and lower sash that slides up lower sash that slides up and down in channels in and down in channels in the side jambs.the side jambs.Each sash has springs or Each sash has springs or balances to hold it in balances to hold it in any position.any position.Some types allow the Some types allow the sash to be removed or sash to be removed or pivoted for easy pivoted for easy cleaning, painting or cleaning, painting or repair.repair.Hardware includes one Hardware includes one or two metal sash locks.or two metal sash locks.

Frame & Sash MaterialsFrame & Sash Materials

Any of the basic types of windows Any of the basic types of windows can have sashes and frames made of can have sashes and frames made of woodwood, , metalmetal, , vinylvinyl, , fiberglassfiberglass, or , or woodwood compositescomposites..

HybridHybrid windows are a combination windows are a combination or two or more materialsor two or more materials

WoodWood

Clad-Wood Clad-Wood WindowWindow

Wood window frames and Wood window frames and sashes should be made sashes should be made from a clear grade of all-from a clear grade of all-heartwood stock.heartwood stock. Species commonly used Species commonly used are ponderosa pine, cedar, are ponderosa pine, cedar, cypress, and spruce.cypress, and spruce.Some wooden windows are Some wooden windows are referred to a referred to a “wood-clad” “wood-clad” meaning the exterior is meaning the exterior is covered or “clad” in covered or “clad” in another type of material another type of material such as vinyl or aluminum. such as vinyl or aluminum. Wood-clad windows never Wood-clad windows never need to be painted.need to be painted.

MetalMetal

Made from steel or aluminum these windows are Made from steel or aluminum these windows are lighter and less costly than windows made from lighter and less costly than windows made from other materials.other materials.Require less maintenance than wooden windows. Require less maintenance than wooden windows. Available with baked on or anodized finishes.Available with baked on or anodized finishes.Are very common in some parts of the country and Are very common in some parts of the country and less common in other parts, especially areas where less common in other parts, especially areas where winters are cold as metal windows experience winters are cold as metal windows experience greater heat loss. Also moist interior air has a greater heat loss. Also moist interior air has a tendency to condense on metal windows.tendency to condense on metal windows.The most efficient metal windows have two piece The most efficient metal windows have two piece frames separated by a thermal break.frames separated by a thermal break.Normally installed via a nailing flange.Normally installed via a nailing flange.

Vinyl, Fiberglass, & Vinyl, Fiberglass, & CompositesComposites

Structural PVC Structural PVC WindowWindow

Windows with Windows with structural PVC structural PVC (polyvinyl chloride) (polyvinyl chloride) sashes and frames are sashes and frames are easy to maintain.easy to maintain.The vinyl is colored all The vinyl is colored all the way through and the way through and resists attack from resists attack from insects. The hollow insects. The hollow channels in these channels in these windows are insulated windows are insulated making them very making them very energy efficieint.energy efficieint.

Vinyl, Fiberglass, & Vinyl, Fiberglass, & CompositesComposites

Window frames can also be made of Window frames can also be made of fiberglass, which is a polyester-based fiberglass, which is a polyester-based material reinforced with very thin glass material reinforced with very thin glass strands.strands.Like vinyl, they come in hollow and insulated Like vinyl, they come in hollow and insulated types. Fiberglass is stiffer and stronger than types. Fiberglass is stiffer and stronger than vinyl.vinyl.Composite windows are made from a mixture Composite windows are made from a mixture of polymers (plastics) and wood under of polymers (plastics) and wood under pressure. They have properties of solid wood pressure. They have properties of solid wood but are more decay resistant.but are more decay resistant.

Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency

Energy efficiency of a window depends Energy efficiency of a window depends on more than one component. For on more than one component. For example a window with energy efficient example a window with energy efficient glazing would still experience energy glazing would still experience energy losses if it had faulty weatherstripping.losses if it had faulty weatherstripping.

Accurate ratings of windows compare Accurate ratings of windows compare glazing, weatherstripping, materials, glazing, weatherstripping, materials, and construction.and construction.

Standards & CertificationStandards & Certification

The The CCanadian anadian GGeneral eneral SStandards tandards BBoard or CGSB oard or CGSB sets the minimum durability on edge seals on sets the minimum durability on edge seals on insulated glass units.insulated glass units.CSA in conjunction with the Canadian Window & CSA in conjunction with the Canadian Window & Door Manufacturers Association came up with a Door Manufacturers Association came up with a window performance rating known as CSA-A440. window performance rating known as CSA-A440. This rating considers a windows air tightness, This rating considers a windows air tightness, water tightness, wind load resistance, water tightness, wind load resistance, condensation resistance, forced entry resistance, condensation resistance, forced entry resistance, ease of operation, hardware, insect screens, ease of operation, hardware, insect screens, weatherstripping and finishes. weatherstripping and finishes. The National Building Code of Canada states that The National Building Code of Canada states that all windows meet the CSA –A440 standard. This all windows meet the CSA –A440 standard. This standard in updated yearly.standard in updated yearly.

Standards & CertificationStandards & Certification

All windows sold in Canada also have an All windows sold in Canada also have an ER Rating. This is a comparative ER Rating. This is a comparative performance rating based on three performance rating based on three factors;factors;

•Solar heat gainsSolar heat gains•Heat loss through frames, spacers, and glassHeat loss through frames, spacers, and glass•Air leakageAir leakage

Standards & CertificationStandards & Certification

Finally windows sold in Canada will have a Finally windows sold in Canada will have a IGMAC Logo on them. This stands for the IGMAC Logo on them. This stands for the IInsulating nsulating GGlass lass MManufacturers of anufacturers of CCanada anada and it applies to the sealed unit only. It and it applies to the sealed unit only. It can be found etched into the glass or the can be found etched into the glass or the spacer between the panes of glass.spacer between the panes of glass.

IGMAC certified products will carry the IGMAC certified products will carry the logo and the manufacturers name.logo and the manufacturers name.

GlazingGlazing

In all provinces in Canada we now use In all provinces in Canada we now use insulating glass windows in home insulating glass windows in home construction (sometimes called double-construction (sometimes called double-glazed windows). They are made with two glazed windows). They are made with two or more sheets of glass separated by an or more sheets of glass separated by an air space.air space.

The edges are sealed to trap air between The edges are sealed to trap air between the sheets, which provides the insulation. the sheets, which provides the insulation. Different types of glazing are available.Different types of glazing are available.

Types of GlazingTypes of Glazing

Low-e glazingLow-e glazing; also called Low-Emissivity, means ; also called Low-Emissivity, means that the glass radiates less heat to the outdoors that the glass radiates less heat to the outdoors than regular glass. In some types a special than regular glass. In some types a special coating is applied to one glass surface facing the coating is applied to one glass surface facing the air space. This can reduce energy flow by as air space. This can reduce energy flow by as much as 50%.much as 50%.Heat-absorbing glazingHeat-absorbing glazing; contains special tints that ; contains special tints that enable it to absorb large amounts of solar energy.enable it to absorb large amounts of solar energy.Gas-filled glazingGas-filled glazing; air between the glazing is ; air between the glazing is replaced by a heavier gas such as argon or replaced by a heavier gas such as argon or krypton. The heavier gas increases energy krypton. The heavier gas increases energy efficiency.efficiency.

WeatherstrippingWeatherstripping

The main purpose of weatherstripping The main purpose of weatherstripping around a window is to prevent air from around a window is to prevent air from leaking between the sash and the leaking between the sash and the frame.frame.

It can be made from various flexible It can be made from various flexible materials such as foam and fibrous pile. materials such as foam and fibrous pile. Over time it will loose its effectiveness Over time it will loose its effectiveness and must be replaced… it must never and must be replaced… it must never be painted or stained.be painted or stained.

Residential ConstructionResidential ConstructionWindows & DoorsWindows & Doors

* Source: (1) Carpentry & Building Construction / Feirer & Feirer (2) Sill to Sash: A Professionals Guide to Windows & Doors