Window Replacement Parts Glossary

At Southern Windows & Doors, we feel that the more informed a homeowner is, the better choices they will make when choosing a replacement window contractor in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Here are some common terms you may find in your search for new home windows.

Window Frames

Aluminum – The old standard, commonly found in Texas homes since the 1950s. Aluminum frames are nice because they do not rust and are lightweight. On the downside, aluminum is a great conductor of heat and cold, making it a poor insulator as a window frame material. It can allow condensation and transfer Texas heat and cold from outside to inside the home.

Wood Frame

Common on homes built before 1950, wood window frames do not transfer energy as easily as aluminum frames but require constant painting or staining and are subject to decay from insects and the elements. They are only used today on very expensive homes or to meet historical standards in certain neighborhoods.

Fibrex & Composites

Basically, glued substances like fiberglass promoted by Renewal by Anderson. They are normally sold in a high-pressure environment with steep prices and must-buy-today discounts. A true dog-and-pony show. Very expensive and not yet proven in the marketplace.

Vinyl Frames

Vinyl or PVC is used in many products, and vinyl window frames are the most common and by far the best frames to purchase. They are thermally nonconductive to heat and cold, do not rust or decay easily from the elements, and possess great strength for heavier glass configurations. They are also the most affordable frame available. It is estimated that over 90% of all window replacement projects choose vinyl window frames.

Low-E High-Performance Glass

Low-E, also known as low-emissivity glass, uses double- or triple-pane glass to reduce UV rays and infrared light and lessen damage to carpet and furnishings. It is our standard for today’s high-performance energy efficiency.

Low-E is simply a very thin coating of silver sprayed at the factory on the inside of a piece of glass.

If this silver coating were sprayed very thick, it would be like a mirror. Although a mirror used as an exterior window would be very energy efficient, people want to be able to see out of a window. Thus, just the right thickness of silver is sprayed on the glass, creating glass that reflects heat and cold but is still visibly clear to the eye. Southern Windows & Doors uses Low-E glazing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to protect against harsh Texas heat and winter cold.

Argon Gas

We breathe argon gas every day, as it is a natural element in the environment. It is a safe, harmless gas that is “heavier and thicker than air” and injected at the factory between the double panes of glass, making the window even more energy efficient. This “heavier than air” gas acts like a thick soup, slowing heat and cold transfer from outside to inside and promoting dramatic sound reduction. It is great for noisy neighborhoods, loud streets, and homes close to airports and schools.

It works in conjunction with the Low-E glass described above to make a truly energy-efficient window.

Edge Spacer

This is the spacer separating the two or three panes of glass. It is very important that the spacer be nonconductive to heat and cold and durable enough to prevent leaks in the seal of the insulated window unit.

Double-Hung Window

A window where both the upper and lower sashes move vertically up and down. You can open the bottom half of the window, the top half of the window, or a little of each. Southern Windows & Doors double-hung windows both tilt in from inside the home, allowing you to clean the outside glass from inside the room. This is a great feature for second-floor windows that are hard to reach. Includes an insect screen.

Single-Hung Windows

A window where only the bottom sash opens by sliding vertically. It tilts in for easy cleaning and includes an insect screen.

Casement Windows

Opened with a crank inside the home, they are hinged on one side and open outward toward the hinge side. They are great for a full-view window look because there are no frame members in the viewing area, allowing for maximum full-view ventilation. They include insect screens and are common on higher-end homes.

Sliding Windows

Operating horizontally from side to side, they can open from left to right or right to left. They also include insect screens.

Egress Window

Used in bedrooms to provide emergency escape from a home in case of fire or other peril. Egress windows have specific requirements mandated by building code for size and height off the floor.

Tempered Glass

A safety glass four times stronger than regular glass. It is manufactured by heating the glass at the factory to high temperatures and then cooling it quickly. This heating and cooling process makes the glass very strong and safe. Required in all doors and many windows close to doors and low to the ground, tempered glass, although very tough, breaks into many small pellets instead of jagged, dangerous shards of glass.

If you have been considering window replacements in your home, contact us at Southern Windows & Doors. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!