When you’re looking for replacement windows, don’t be fooled by confusing replacement window terminology. We’ll teach you everything you need to know before buying replacement windows.
Replacement Window Parts
The term you’ll hear a lot is window sashes. They’re made up of the frame and glass of your window. A piece of glass in the sash is known as the window pane. Speaking of window panes, dual and triple pane windows refers to the amount of window panes. Generally, the more panes of glass you have the more energy-efficient your window is.
Window panes are held together by a part called the spacer. The way the glass is held by the spacer leaves space between them that can be filled with argon or Krypton gas. The gas makes your windows more energy-efficient as well. Operable windows are windows we’ll be able to open, while inoperable windows are windows you can’t.
Replacement Window Styles
You can’t choose a window if you don’t know the different windows styles available. Double-hung windows are the most common window style. They have two operating sashes that move up and down. Windows that crank out using a hand crank are called casement windows. Think of sliding windows like sideways double hung windows.
They can have two operating sashes that move side-to-side on a sliding track. Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward from the bottom, creating an awning effect. The opposite of awning widows are hopper windows. They’re hinged at the bottom and open inward from the top. Hopper windows are often found in basements. Picture windows are inoperable windows that offer the best sight lines and allow the most sunlight into your home.
Bay windows consist of three windows. They have a picture window in the middle, flanked by double hungs or casements on each side. Bay windows extend past the side of your home. Both windows can have anywhere from three to five windows and are made up of a combination of casement, double hungs or picture windows. Like bay windows, bow windows extend past the facade of your home.
Another window that extends past to the side of your home is the garden window. They’re made of a box of windows and are perfect for growing plants or herbs. You can change the look of your home with architectural or specialty windows. They’re uniquely shaped windows such as circles, semi circles, octagons, trapezoids, triangles and squares.
Replacement Window Components and Hardware
Let’s move on to the parts of your window frame. Your window frame is what supports your entire window. It’s comprised of several parts. The head is the main horizontal part forming the top of the window frame, while jambs are the main vertical parts forming the sides. The bottom part of your window frame is known as the window sill.
Grilles also known as grids, are the bars on each sash that visually break the glass into smaller panes. The apron is the decorative horizontal board found under your window sill. It gives your window a creative traditional design. The casing is the trim around the perimeter of your window. The handles that allow you to open and close a double hung window are called the lift ribs, while the handles that allow you to open and close a sliding window are called sash poles.
Several windows such as casement and garden windows have hand cranks. These allow you to open and close them as much as you’d like. The operator arm on an awning window is found on the bottom of the sash and allows the window to open outwards. Different lock styles are found in different places for each window style. They prevent the window from opening when it’s closed.
We hope this helped you learn more about replacement window terminology! For a free in-home consultation fill out our online form or contact All American Window & Door at 760-214-9851.
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