iTech / glossary
Window & door terms explained
Understand tracks, sashes, glass types, thresholds, seals and other words used in window and door quotations.
Use these terms to read drawings and compare quotations with more confidence. The exact construction and performance still depend on the selected system.
- Sash
- The framed panel inside the main window frame. In an opening window, it is the panel you slide or swing open.
- Frame
- The outer part of a window or door, fixed to the surrounding wall.
- Track
- A channel along which a sliding panel moves. Check the number of tracks along with the glass panels, mosquito mesh and opening layout.
- Panel
- One section of a window, door or partition. It may hold glass or a solid board, and may move or stay fixed.
- Casement
- A window or door that swings on hinges. It needs clear space to open inward or outward.
- Mullion
- A vertical bar dividing a window or doorway into sections. In paired windows, check whether a centre bar stays in place when both panels open.
- Transom
- A horizontal bar dividing a window or door into sections, often with a glass panel above it.
- Meeting stile
- The upright edge where two neighbouring panels meet. Check how the edges line up and lock together.
- Threshold
- The bottom of a doorway that you step over. Its height, floor levels and drainage affect access and rain protection.
- Sill
- The bottom ledge or lower part of a window opening. Its outside shape and slope should help direct rainwater away from the wall.
- Gasket
- A flexible seal, usually fitted around glass or opening panels. Follow the product instructions for cleaning and replacement.
- Drainage outlet
- An opening that lets water drain out of the frame. Keep it clear of dust, paint and sealant.
- Reinforcement
- An internal support used where the frame design requires it. It must suit the opening size, panel weight and expected loads.
- Insulated glass unit
- Two or more glass panes separated by a sealed gap. The glass, gap and seals all affect how the unit performs.
- Toughened glass
- Glass strengthened by heat treatment, with a different breaking pattern from ordinary glass. The right type still depends on where it will be used.
- Laminated glass
- Layers of glass bonded with a layer between them. This layer can help hold broken glass together; specify the construction for the intended use.
- Obscured glass
- Glass with a pattern or surface that makes the view through it less clear. Check privacy in both daylight and night-time lighting.
- Louver
- A set of angled blades that lets air pass through. Blade angle, rain exposure and insect screening affect where it can be used.
- WPC
- Wood-plastic composite, a material made using wood-based material and plastic. Check the exact door or frame product and its fitting instructions.
- Opening schedule
- A room-by-room list of windows and doors with reference numbers, sizes and specifications. Use the same list for the quote, drawings and final checks.
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