General Terms
Frame Frame
The part of a window that is screwed and caulked into the wall of the home, it does not move.
   
Sash Sash
The part of the window with glass in it that slides up, down, left or right, or cranks open.
Types of Windows Types of Windows
Single Hung Window Single Hung
A window that has a bottom sash that opens up and down, just the bottom tilts in for cleaning, the top is fixed.
   
Single Slider Single Slider
A window that has only one side that opens side to side, sash must be lifted out for easy cleaning, and the other side is fixed.
   
Double Hung Double Hung
A widow that opens up and down, both top and bottom move, sashes may be tilted in for easy cleaning.
   
2 lite lift-out slider 2 lite lift-out slider
A window that opens side to side, both left and right sides move, sashes must be lifted out for easy cleaning.
   
3 lite lift-out slider 3 lite lift-out slider
A slider window with 3 sections (used for larger openings) Comes in center venting, where each section is equal width (1/3, 1/3, 1/3) and the center panel opens, or end venting, where the middle section is wider than the 2 ends (1/4, ½, ¼) and the end panels slide open, sashes must be lifted out for easy cleaning.
   
Swing Slider Swing Slider
A window that opens side to side, both left and right sides move, sashes swing in for easy cleaning.
   
3 lite swing slider 3 lite swing slider
A slider window with three sections (used for larger openings) Comes in center venting, where each section is equal (1/3, 1/3, 1/3) and the center panel opens, or end venting, where the middle section is wider than the 2 ends (1/4, ½, ¼) and the end panels slide open, sashes swing in for easy cleaning.
   
Casement Casement
A window that cranks open to the outside vertically
   
Awning Awning
A window that cranks open to the outside from the bottom
   
1 lite 1 lite
A non-opening (or picture) window, no screen
   
Hopper Hopper
A window most commonly used in the basement which is hinged and opens to the inside
   
Patio Doorwall Patio Doorwall
A sliding glass patio door that can be manufactured as a 2, 3 or 4 section in any size up to 16' wide
Glass Glass
Insulated Glass Unit Insulated Glass Unit
Commonly referred to as thermopane, an insulated glass unit is simply 2 or more panes of glass sandwiched together with a dead air gap in between each pane and a sealant around the perimeter that prevents air from moving in or out of the unit.
   
Muntin Muntin
Sometimes referred to as grids, they come between the glass and make windows look as if they have a square or diamond shape in them. Muntins come in flat, contour, split color, wood interior or brass finishes.
   
Contour muntin Contour muntin
They have a sculptured surface that makes the grids appear more designer -like.
   
V-groove V-groove
Etched glass which gives a more elegant modern look than muntins. Available in square or diamond shapes or in a single or double border pattern.
   
Low "E" Low'E' glass
A metallic reflective coating which when added to glass increases the insulation value of the glass by bouncing heat back to its source, rather than allowing the heat to conduct through the glass as quickly as it would through regular clear glass. Polar Seal uses the best available Low ‘E’ glass made for Michigan’s weather. Or you may choose our tax credit qualified glass.
   
Argon gas Argon gas
A colorless, odorless and completely harmless gas that when injected in between the panes of an insulated glass unit increases that glass unit's insulation value over a unit filled with normal air.