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Glossary of terms
Annealed Glass
Glass that has been cooled slowly to relieve internal stresses. This process makes the glass more stable but less strong compared to tempered glass.
Argon Gas
A type of inert gas used between panes in double or triple glazing to improve insulation by reducing heat transfer.
Art Glass
Decorative glass used for artistic purposes, often found in windows, lamps, and other ornamental items.
Automobile Glass
Glass used in vehicles, including windshields, side windows, and rear windows.
Balance system
The use of springs or weights to hold a vertical sash in any desired position.
Bay window
An arrangement of three or more individual window units attached to each other. In a typical three-unit bay, a center section usually remains fixed while the two on either side act as individual casements.
Bent glass
A glass curved through a special process.
Beveled Glass
Glass with edges cut at an angle to create a decorative effect, often used in windows and mirrors.
Beveling
The process by which an edge of glass is finished to an angle so that the edge is not perpendicular to either face of the glass.
Block
A piece of neoprene, silicone, or other suitable material used to position glass in a frame.
Bow window
A bow window can be arranged with three or more equal width units. They can be fixed or operable or mixed in any combination. They are usually mulled together with a small angle such as 13 degrees.
Butyl
A synthetic rubber that can be used both as a sealant and architectural glazing tape.
Cable Net Systems
Glass supported by a cable net structure, offering a lightweight and transparent architectural solution.
Cam
A piece that connects with the keeper mechanism to keep the window sashes together when locked.
Canopy Systems
Glass used in overhead structures for protection or decoration, providing shelter while allowing natural light.
Casement window
A window unit in which the single sash cranks outward to the right or left.
Cathedral Glass
Textured glass that allows light to pass through but is not fully transparent, often used in church windows and decorative panels.
Chalkboard Glass
Glass used as a writing surface similar to a chalkboard, commonly found in educational and office settings.
Colored Glass
Glass tinted with different colors, used in a variety of applications including stained glass windows and decorative items.
Curtain Wall
A non-structural outer covering of a building, often made of glass, that is attached to the building's structure and serves to keep out the weather.
Curtain Wall Systems
Glass used in the exterior walls of buildings, providing an architectural feature that allows natural light and views.
Doors
Glass doors used in various applications, from interior partitions to exterior entrances.
Doors and Hardware
Components used in glass door installations, including hinges, handles, and locking mechanisms.
Double Glazing
A window or door in which two panes of glass are separated by a layer of air or gas to reduce heat transfer and improve insulation.
Double-hung window
A window consisting of two sashes of glass operating in a rectangular frame, both the upper and lower halves can be slid up and down and usually use a counter balance mechanism to hold the sash in place.
Dry glazing
A method of securing glass in a frame by use of a dry, preformed resilient gasket, without the use of a compound.
Dynamic Glass
Glass that can change its properties, such as opacity or color, in response to environmental conditions or electronic controls.
Emissivity
The ability of a material to emit energy as thermal radiation. Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings are applied to glass to improve energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer.
Entranceway Systems
Glass used in entrance areas, including doors and hardware, enhancing the aesthetic and functional aspects of building entryways.
Environmental Glass
Glass designed with environmental benefits, such as energy efficiency, by reducing heat transfer and improving insulation.
Figured Glass
Glass with a patterned surface created during the manufacturing process, used for decorative purposes and privacy.
Float Glass
Glass made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal, typically tin. This process produces a high-quality, flat glass sheet used in windows and glazing.
Flush glazing
A method of glazing wherein the surfaces of the glass retaining members (stops or beads) are in the same plane normal to the glass as the side faces of the frame members; often achieved by providing pockets in these faces.
Frameless Glass Railing
A frameless glass railing is a type of railing system used for balconies, staircases, decks, and other elevated areas that does not use traditional metal or wooden frames to support the glass panels. Instead, the glass panels are held in place using minimal hardware such as clamps or channels, providing an unobstructed and sleek appearance. Frameless glass railings offer a modern and elegant look, as well as safety and durability, while allowing for clear views.
Glare Reducing Glass
Glass that minimizes glare from sunlight or artificial light, improving visibility and comfort.
Glass Doors
Doors made entirely or partially of glass, used in residential and commercial settings for their aesthetic and functional benefits.
Glass Projection Screens
Glass used for projecting images or videos, commonly found in modern presentation and entertainment systems.
Glazing Bead
A strip of wood, vinyl, or metal that holds the glass pane in place within a window or door frame.
Heat Absorbing Glass
Glass that absorbs heat to reduce heat transfer, improving energy efficiency in buildings.
Insulated Glass Unit (IGU)
A multi-pane window system consisting of two or more glass panes separated by a spacer and sealed to create an insulating air space.
Insulating Glass
Glass designed to provide thermal insulation, often used in double or triple-glazed windows.
Interior Glazing Systems
Glass used in interior partitions and walls, providing transparency and acoustic control within buildings.
Interior glazed
Glass set from the interior of the building.
J-channel
Used around the exterior of a window where the siding fits. It extends beyond the window to the outside edges of an adjoining j-channel.
Jalousie
Made up of horizontally mounted louvered glass that abut each other tightly when closed and extended outward when cranked open.
Laminated Glass
Glass made by bonding layers together with an interlayer, providing enhanced strength and safety, often used in windshields and security applications.
Leaded Glass
Glass that contains lead, often used in stained glass windows and decorative art pieces.
Louvers
Slatted glass used for ventilation and light control, often adjustable to regulate airflow and light entry.
Low-E Glass
Glass with a special coating that reflects infrared light, keeping heat inside during winter and outside during summer, improving energy efficiency.
Metal (of all types)
Various metals used in glass installation and framing, including aluminum, steel, and brass.
Mirrors (of all types)
Reflective glass surfaces used in a variety of applications, including household mirrors, decorative mirrors, and architectural installations.
Mullion
A vertical or horizontal bar between adjacent window or door units that provides structural support and separates the glass panes.
Obscure glass
Any type of glass with uneven surfaces which offers light diffusion and privacy.
Opaque Glass
Glass that does not allow light to pass through, used for privacy and decorative purposes.
Outer pane
The pane of double-glazed unit which faces the exterior of a building.
Partitions
Glass dividers used to separate spaces, providing privacy while maintaining an open feel.
Patterned glass
Presents uneven surfaces with different impressed patterns.
Photovoltaic Panels and Systems
Solar panels incorporated into glass, used to generate electricity from sunlight in building-integrated photovoltaics.
Plastics
Synthetic materials used in place of glass in certain applications, offering benefits such as impact resistance and flexibility.
Plate glass
Polished plate glass is a rolled, ground and polished product with true flat parallel plane surfaces affording excellent vision. It has less surface polish than sheet glass and is available in thickness varying from 1/4" to 1-1/4". Now replaced by float glass.
Prism Glass
Glass that can refract light into a spectrum of colors, used in decorative applications and optical devices.
Protective Glass
Glass designed to provide protection, such as bulletproof glass and impact-resistant glass.
R-Value
A measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. Higher R-values indicate better insulating properties.
Rolled Glass
Glass made by rolling molten glass into flat sheets, used in various applications including windows and mirrors.
Rubber (natural or synthetic)
Material used with glass for sealing and installation, providing flexibility and durability.
Safety Glass
Glass that is designed to reduce the risk of injury upon breakage, typically achieved through tempering or laminating processes.
Sash
The frame in which panes of glass are set in windows or doors, often movable to allow for ventilation.
Sheet Glass
Flat glass sheets used in a wide range of applications, from windows to picture frames.
Shower Enclosure
A space within a bathroom that is specifically designed to contain a shower. It typically consists of walls or panels made of glass, plastic, or other waterproof materials, along with a door or curtain to keep water within the designated area. Shower enclosures come in various styles, such as frameless, semi-frameless, and framed, and can be custom-designed to fit different bathroom layouts.
Skylights
Glass panels installed in roofs to allow natural light into buildings, enhancing illumination and reducing energy use.
Sliding and Fixed Showcase Doors
Glass doors used in display cases, providing visibility and access to showcased items.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
A measure of how much solar radiation passes through a window. Lower SHGC values indicate better performance in blocking heat from the sun.
Spacer
A material placed between the panes of glass in an IGU to maintain the proper distance and create an insulating air space.
Stone
Material used in conjunction with glass installations, often found in architectural applications.
Structural Glass
Glass used as a structural element in buildings, capable of supporting loads and providing strength.
Suspended Glazing Systems
Glass systems suspended from structures, often used in atriums and other large spaces for dramatic visual effect.
Switchable Glass Film
Also known as smart film or smart glass film, this is a technology that allows glass to change its appearance from clear to opaque with the application of an electrical current. This film can be applied to existing glass surfaces and is often used in windows, doors, partitions, and other glass applications where privacy control is desired. The switchable film consists of a liquid crystal layer that aligns to allow light through when electricity is applied, making the glass clear, and scatters light to create opacity when the current is turned off.
Tempered Glass
Strengthened glass that is heat-treated to be more durable and resistant to impact, used in safety applications.
Thermal Break
A material of low thermal conductivity placed between materials of high thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer.
Tinted Glass
Glass with a colored tint to reduce light transmission and glare, often used in buildings and vehicles.
Translucent Glass
Glass that allows light to pass through but is not clear, providing privacy while maintaining light transmission.
Transparent Glass
Clear glass that allows light to pass through without obstruction, used in windows and display cases.
Triple Glazing
A window or door with three panes of glass separated by air or gas-filled spaces to provide superior insulation and energy efficiency.
U-Value
A measure of thermal transmittance through a material. Lower U-values indicate better insulating properties.
Unitized Systems
Prefabricated glass units used in construction, simplifying installation and improving efficiency.
Window Film
A thin laminate film that can be installed on the interior or exterior of glass surfaces to provide various benefits, such as UV filtration, heat reduction, and increased privacy.
Window Frame
The fixed part of a window that holds the glass panes in place. It can be made from materials such as wood, aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass.
Window Wall Systems
Glass used in large window installations, often spanning multiple floors in modern buildings.
Wired Glass
Glass reinforced with wire mesh, providing enhanced safety and fire resistance.
Wood
Material used to frame or install glass, providing structural support and aesthetic value.
X-Ray Shielding Glass
Glass designed to block or reduce X-ray radiation, used in medical and industrial settings.
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