Glossary of home project words
Contractors use trade words in almost every estimate. Each term here has a plain definition, and many include a comparison that makes it easier to remember.
- Casement window
- A window hinged on one side that swings outward when you turn a small crank.
- Think of it like… It opens outward, like a door on hinges.
- Condensation
- Water droplets that form when warm, humid air touches a cold surface, like window glass in winter.
- Double-hung window
- A window with two separate sashes that both slide up and down in the frame.
- Think of it like… Two panels stacked in one track, and each panel can move.
- Flashing
- Thin metal or waterproof tape that directs water away from seams, like the edges of a window or chimney.
- Think of it like… A tiny gutter protecting the openings in a wall.
- Insulated glass unit
- Two or three panes of glass with a sealed space between them, manufactured as one piece.
- Think of it like… A thermos for a window: the sealed gap slows heat.
- Low-E glass
- Glass with a thin, invisible coating that reflects heat. It keeps warmth inside during winter and outside during summer.
- Think of it like… Sunglasses for a window, blocking heat but letting light through.
- NFRC label
- A label on new windows with tested energy ratings, such as the U-factor, from the National Fenestration Rating Council.
- Sash
- The movable frame that holds the glass and travels when the window opens.
- Sill
- The sloped ledge at the bottom of a window frame. It directs rainwater away from the wall.
- U-factor
- A tested number that shows how quickly heat escapes through a window. A lower number is better.
- Think of it like… A golf score, where the lower number is always better.
- Weatherstripping
- Flexible strips of foam, rubber or vinyl that seal the gaps around a moving sash or door.
- Think of it like… The rubber seal on a refrigerator door.