AAMA- http://www.aamanet.org/ - American Architectural Manufacturers Association.  Installation Masters

Active- The main door used in double doors, such as French doors, the other door is passive.

Astragal- A molding, attached to one of a pair of swinging double doors, against which the other door strikes, usually on the passive door.

Atrium- A French style door where only one panel operates.  Operational panel can be hinged in the center against the other panel or against the door jamb.

Awning- A window sash that opens at the bottom the top is hinged.

Bay window- Any window space projecting outward from the wall, typically consisting of 3 sashes, the picture window in the center and a flanker on either side.

Bifold door- Doors that are hinged in the middle for opening in a smaller area than standard swing doors. Often used for closet doors.

Bipass doors- Doors that slide horizontally by each other and commonly used as closet doors.

Bond or bonding- An amount of money (usually $5,000-$10,000) which must be on deposit with a governmental agency in order to secure a contractor's license. The bond may be used to pay for the unpaid bills or disputed work of the contractor. Not to be confused with a 'performance bond'. Such bonds are rarely used in residential construction, they are an insurance policy which guarantees proper completion of a project.

Bore- Drill a hole

Bottom Plate/Sill Plate- Bottom horizontal member of an exterior wall frame which rests on top a foundation, sometimes called mud-sill. Also sole plate, bottom member of an interior wall frame.

Bow window- A window that projects outward, consisting of multiple window sashes to make a curved shape.

Brick mold-Trim used around an exterior door jamb that siding butts to.

Buck- Often used in reference to rough frame opening members. Door bucks used in reference to metal door frame. See Window Bucks

Bull nose- (drywall)- Rounded drywall corners.

Butt joint- The junction where the ends of two structural members meet without over lapping in any way.

Camed Glass- Decorative glass set in a door or window.  Caming is the metal between pieces of glass.  i.e. the metal between pieces of stained glass holding it all together.

Casement Window- A window with hinges on one of the vertical sides and swings open like a normal door.

Casing- Wood trim molding installed around a door or window opening, typically on the interior.

Caulking- (1) A flexible material used to seal a gap between two surfaces e.g. between pieces of siding or the corners in tub walls. (2) To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt plastic cement to prevent leaks.

Chair rail- Interior trim material installed about 3-4 feet up the wall, horizontally.

Clad/Cladding- When a fiberglass, aluminum, steel, stronger material is attached to a wood window to protect the exterior.

Clear- A term used to describe a piece of wood with no knots.

Conduction/conductivity- The direct transfer of heat energy through a material.

Convection- Currents created by heating air, which then rises and pulls cooler air behind it. Also see radiation.

Coped joint- Cutting and fitting woodwork to an irregular surface.

Cripple/Crutch Stud- Short vertical "2 by 4's or 6's" frame lumber installed above a window or door.

Crutch/Cripple Stud- Short vertical "2 by 4's or 6's" frame lumber installed above a window or door.

Dead bolt- An exterior security lock installed on exterior entry doors that can be activated only with a key or thumb-turn. Unlike a latch, which has a beveled tongue, dead bolts have square ends.

Delamination- Separation of the plies in a panel due to failure of the adhesive.  Usually caused by excessive moisture.

Door stop- The wooden style that the door slab will rest upon when it's in a closed position.

Door sweep- Typically a rubber or plastic strip/s on the bottom of the door slab that when the door is closed seals the bottom of the door against the threshold.

Doorjamb, exterior- The surrounding case into which and out of which a door closes and opens. It consists of two upright pieces, called side jambs, a horizontal head jamb and the threshold.  The jambs should have weather stripping. 

Doorjamb, interior- The surrounding case into which and out of which a door closes and opens. It consists of two upright pieces, called side jambs, and a horizontal head jamb. These 3 jambs have the "door stop" installed on them.

Double glass- Window or door in which two panes of glass are used with a sealed air space between.  Also known as Insulating Glass.

Double hung window- A window with two vertically sliding sashes, both of which can move up and down.

Drip cap- A molding or metal flashing placed on the exterior topside of a door or window frame to cause water to drip beyond the outside of the frame.

Egress- A means of exiting the home. An egress window is required in every bedroom and basement. Normally a 4' X 4' window is the minimum size required.

Emissivity- The ratio of energy radiated by a particular piece of material.

Estimate- The amount of labor, materials, and other costs that a contractor anticipates for a project as summarized in the contractor's bid proposal for the project.

Extruded Aluminum Cladding- This is a cladding applied to (either slid into grooves, glued or both) a wood sash.  The aluminum is pushed through a form template much like a Play Doh machine.  The aluminum ends up typically the thickness of a quarter.

Finger joint- A manufacturing process of interlocking two shorter pieces of wood end to end to create a longer piece of dimensional lumber or molding. Often used in jambs and casings and are normally painted (instead of stained).

Fixed- The non operational portion of a door or window.

Flanker- A side window, typically on a bay window, the smaller side windows are the flankers, they can be a variety of window operations, such as double hung, or casement.

Flashing- Sheet metal or other material used in roof and wall construction to protect a building from water seepage.

Flush-  To be even with

Framing- Lumber or steel used for the structural members of a building, such as studs, joists, and rafters.  

Furring strips- Strips of wood, often 1 X 2 and used to shim out and provide a level fastening surface for a wall or ceiling.

Glazing strip- A piece of plastic, vinyl, aluminum or other material that holds the glass into the sash.

Glazing- The process of installing glass, which commonly is secured with glazier's points and glazing compound.

Glider/Slider- A window where the sashes slide horizontally, typically one sash is stationary and the other is operational.

Grid/Grills- The decorative slats (munton) installed between glass panels.  Simulated grids/grills are also GBG (grills between glass), flat or decorative.  Simulated grills/grids are also fixed or removable on the interior, typically fixed on exterior.

Header- Is the horizontal member of a "framed" wall, dispersing the weight from above over a door or window opening.  The "header" is supported by two vertical members called crutch or cripple studs.

Hopper- A window where the top opens and the bottom is hinged.

I.G.- Insulated Glass unit, two panes of glass that are separated by a spacer bar.

Ice and water shield- A flashing with a sticky tar like substance on one side and a thin plastic on the other side.  Used on the exterior for sealing doors and windows in some applications.  One manufacturer is Grace, here is their web site, look under “flashing solutions” in the center of the page; http://www.ask.com/bar?q=Grace+Ice+Water+Shield&page=1&qsrc=6&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graceathome.com%2F

Installation Masters- The only accredited organization to train and certify installers to AAMA standards.  Mountain View Installations LLC is listed under Golden. http://www.installationmastersusa.com/Certified.htm

Inswing- Doors or slashes that swing into the building.

Jamb- The side and head lining of a doorway, window, or other opening. Includes studs as well as the frame and trim.

King stud- The vertical "2 X's" frame lumber (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate.

Knot- In lumber, the portion of a branch or limb of a tree that appears on the edge or face of the piece.  Such as knotty pine.

Level- True horizontal. Also a tool used to determine level.

Load bearing wall- Includes all exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder. Normally, any wall that has a double horizontal top plate.

LowE- Low-emissivity- coatings are microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow.

Machine-  Cutting, drilling, routering, etc…  such as machining a slab, cutting out hinges so they sit flush, and boring/drilling out the holes for the door knobs.

Manufacturer's specifications- The written installation and/or maintenance instructions which are developed by the manufacturer of a product and which may have to be followed in order to maintain the product warrantee.

Mechanics lien- A lien on real property, created by statue in many years, in favor of persons supplying labor or materials for a building or structure, for the value of labor or materials supplied by them. In some jurisdictions, a mechanics lien also exists for the value of professional services. Clear title to the property cannot be obtained until the claim for the labor, materials, or professional services is settled. Timely filing is essential to support the encumbrance, and prescribed filing dates vary by jurisdiction.

Millwork- Generally all building materials made of finished wood and manufactured in millwork plants. Includes all doors, window and door frames, blinds, mantels, panelwork, stairway components (balusters, rail, etc.), moldings, and interior trim. Does not include flooring, ceiling, or siding.

Miter joint- The joint of two pieces at an angle that bisects the joining angle. For example, the miter joint at the side and head casing at a door opening is made at a 45° angle.

Molding- A wood strip having an engraved, decorative surface.

Mortise- A slot cut into a board, plank, or timber, usually edgewise, to receive the tenon (or tongue) of another board, plank, or timber to form a joint.

Mullion- A vertical divider in the frame between windows, doors, or other openings.

Muntin- A small member which divides the glass or openings of sash or doors.

Naked wood- Wood with no stain or finish.

Natural finish- A transparent finish which does not seriously alter the original color or grain of the natural wood. Natural finishes are usually provided by sealers, oils, varnishes, water repellent preservatives, and other similar materials.

Net/Unit Size- The actual size of the unit, width is measured first then height.

 

Oriented Strand Board or OSB- A manufactured 4' X 8' wood panel made out of 1"- 2" wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood.

Outswing- Doors or sashes that swing to the outside.

Pad out, pack out- To shim out or add strips of wood to a wall or ceiling in order that the finished ceiling/wall will appear correct.

Particle board- Plywood substitute made of course sawdust that is mixed with resin and pressed into sheets. Used for closet shelving, floor underlayment, stair treads, etc.

Passive- The "secondary" door of a double door such as a French door, one is active (the main door used, the other door is passive.

Picture window- The non operation window that does not open.

Plumb- Exactly vertical and perpendicular to level, a plumb bob or string with a weight is used. 

Plywood- A panel (normally 4' X 8') of wood made of three or more layers of veneer, compressed and joined with glue, and usually laid with the grain of adjoining plies at right angles to give the sheet strength.

Prehung- A full door unit- a slab with a frame, threshold, weather stripping, hinges, etc… typically door knobs are not included.

Projection- The distance a bow or bay window protrudes from the siding/wall.

Punch list- A list of discrepancies that need to be corrected by the contractor.

R factor or value- A measure of a materials resistance to the passage of heat. New home walls are usually insulated with 4" of batt insulation with an R value of R-13, and a ceiling insulation of R-30.

Radiation- Energy transmitted from a heat source to the air around it. Radiators actually depend more on convection than radiation.

Rail- Horizontal cross members of panel doors or of a sash.

Roll Aluminum Cladding- It is a sheet of aluminum usually about the thickness of the side of a soda can that is cut and “rolled” around the exterior of a wood sash.  i.e. Pella windows uses this kind of cladding.

Rough opening- The horizontal and vertical measurement of a window or door opening before drywall or siding is installed.  Width is measured first then height.

Rough sill- The framing member at the bottom of a rough opening for a window. It is attached to the cripple studs below the rough opening.

Sash- A single light frame containing one or more lights of glass. The frame that holds the glass in a window, often the movable part of the window.

Sash balance- A device, usually operated by a spring and designed to hold a single hung window vent up and in place, located in the jamb.

Shim- A small piece of scrap lumber or shingle, usually wedge shaped, which when forced behind a furring strip or framing member forces it into position. Also used when installing doors and placed between the door jamb legs and 2 X 4 door trimmers. Metal shims are wafer  1 1/2" X 2" sheet metal of various thickness' used to fill gaps in wood framing members, especially at bearing point locations.

Side lite- A panel typically attached to the side of an entry door jamb, with a panel and glass that matches the door slab.

Sill Plate/Bottom Plate- Bottom horizontal member of an exterior wall frame which rests on top a foundation, sometimes called mud-sill. Also sole plate, bottom member of an interior wall frame.

Sill- The horizontal framing section at the below the window frame.

Single hung window- A window with one vertically sliding sash or window vent, typically the lower sash.

Skirt- A cover under a bay or bow window to cover a lower support or a piece of casing that is installed flat under the stool of a window to cover any gap or rough edge of drywall.

Slab- A door with out hinges or a frame, just the door.

Slider/Glider- A window where the sashes slide horizontally, typically one sash is stationary and the other is operational.

Span- The clear distance that a framing member carries a load without support between structural supports.

Square- A situation that exists when two elements are at right angles to each other. Also a tool for checking this.

Stile- The vertical outer structural section of a door, the horizontal is the rail.

Stool- A common term for a horizontal trim piece at the bottom of a window, something like a small shelf that can protrude out from the drywall.

Storm sash or storm window- An extra window usually placed outside of an existing one, as additional protection against cold weather.

Stud- A vertical wood framing member, also referred to as a wall stud, attached to the horizontal sole plate below and the top plate above. Normally 2 X 4's or 2 X 6's, 8' long (sometimes 92 5/8"). One of a series of wood or metal vertical structural members placed as supporting elements in walls and partitions.

Swing- LH=Left hand - RH Right hand, a trick to determine the swing of a door is stand on the side of the hinges facing the door, put your closest hand on a hinge, the other hand closest to the door knob grab the door knob.  The hand you grab the door knob is the handing.

Tempered- Strengthened. Tempered glass will not shatter nor create shards, but will "pelletize" like an automobile window. Required in tub and shower enclosures and locations, entry door glass and sidelight glass, and in a windows when the window sill is less than 16" to the floor.

Threshold- The bottom metal or wood plate of an exterior door frame. Generally they are adjustable to keep a tight fit with the door slab.

Tilt out- On a double hung or single hung window when the bottom of the sash stays in the jamb, the top of the sash tilts out to clean the exterior.

Top Plate- The horizontal 2x4 or 2x6 at the top of a wall, the 2x is laying horizontally flat.

Treated lumber- A wood product which has been impregnated with chemical pesticides such as CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) to reduce damage from wood rot or insects. Often used for the portions of a structure which are likely to be in contact with soil and water. Wood may also be treated with a fire retardant.

Trim- Interior- The finish materials in a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim) or at the floor and ceiling of rooms (baseboard, cornice, and other moldings). Also, the physical work of installing interior doors and interior woodwork, to include all handrails, guardrails, stair way balustrades, mantles, light boxes, base, door casings, cabinets, countertops, shelves, window sills and aprons, etc. Exterior- The finish materials on the exterior a building, such as moldings applied around openings (window trim, door trim), siding, windows, exterior doors, attic vents, crawl space vents, shutters, etc. Also, the physical work of installing these materials.

Turnkey- A term used when the subcontractor provides all materials (and labor) for a job.

U Factor-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-factor  - The measure of how well a material (a window, door, or other construction element) conducts heat; the inverse of the R-value. The smaller the U-factor, the less heat is transmitted.

Unit/Net Size- The actual size of the door or window.

Veneer- A thin almost paper thin, sheet of a material laid over a subsurface to give a different look.  i.e. a wood veneer over a fiberglass window, the window is white, the color of the fiberglass, a wood veneer lets the window have a different look, by staining the veneer any color and varnishing it to finish it off.  Problem is that veneers can be scratched showing the subsurface and not easily repairable. 

Visible glass- The actual part of the glass that is visible, not the entire glass unit that is set into the sash.

Warranty- In construction there are two general types of warranties. One is provided by the manufacturer of a product such as roofing material or an appliance. The second is a warranty for the labor. For example, a roofing contract may include a 20 year material warranty and a 5 year labor warranty. Many new homebuilders provide a one year warranty. Any major issue found during the first year should be communicated to the builder immediately. Small items can be saved up and presented to the builder for correction periodically through the first year after closing.

Weatherstrip- Narrow sections of thin metal or other material installed to prevent the infiltration of air and moisture around windows and doors.

Weep- A hole or vent of some kind at the bottom of a frame (window or door) that allows water to drain if caught behind the wall, so that water damage will not likely occur.

Z-bar flashing- Bent, galvanized metal flashing that's installed above a horizontal trim board of an exterior window, door, or brick run. It prevents water from getting behind the trim/brick and into the home.

References

Home building Manual- http://www.homebuildingmanual.com/Glossary.htm

Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Blue Egg- http://www.blueegg.com/