subject: Windows – Coming To Grips With The Verbiage [print this page] Author: Thomas Ajava Author: Thomas Ajava
Windows are windows, right? Oh, my poor, poor uneducated friend. They are so much more than just that. In fact, they come with their own language. Lets take a look at it so you know what you are doing when buying or repairing them.
The modern window is a modular piece of construction much like a door. This simply means that it is only anchored into the wall of a structure instead of being built into it piece by piece. Whether you have it professionally installed or build your own, the window has some key elements you need to know.
Frame The window will usually come in the form of a rectangle. The outer structure holding the rectangle together is known as the frame. This is akin to what one finds with a frame for artwork. The various parts of the frame have their own names the sill and jambs.
Sill The sill would seem to suggest the word ceiling, but it doesnt. When it comes to windows, the sill is the horizontal bottom of the frame.
Jambs The jambs are the top and two vertical sides of the frame. For those who love to be overly technical, the top of the window frame is called the head jamb. The vertical sides are called leg jambs.
Sashes The glass of a window would be called the glass, right? Well, no. It is known as a sash. A window with a top and bottom window section has two sashes.
Casings When you install the window, you will notice a very distinct problem. There will be a gap between the window frame and the wall. Casings are used to cover and seal this area. The casings are essentially extensions on the frames that cover the gap.
This represents the basic elements of a traditional home window. That being said, there are so many different styles of windows these days that the language extends far beyond these basic elements. Unless you get a job in the window industry, youll never learn all of them. As painful as it will be, this is one area where you want to seek out help. Remember, changing from one type of window to another tends to be an expensive, messy affair. Get it right the first time if you can.About the Author:
