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Learn more about what we offer
Windows
- What are casement windows?
- What are sash windows?
- What is the difference between bay and bow windows?
- Can I fit uPVC windows in a conservation area?
- What are the Benefits of uPVC Windows?
- What is the difference between wood and uPVC windows?
- What is the difference between aluminium and uPVC windows?
Conservatories
- How long does it take to build a conservatory?
- Do I need an architect for a conservatory?
- Can I choose a design with a brick base?
- Can a conservatory have a different coloured frame on the inside?
- Are conservatories only available in white?
- What kind of blinds can I fit in a conservatory?
- Will a conservatory affect the value of my home?
Buying & Installation
Competent Person Schemes
- What are Building Regulations?
- What does Competent Person Scheme ‘CPS’mean?
- What will happen if my windows do not comply with the Building Regulations?
- What is a Building Regulation Certificate and how do I get it?
- Why should I use an installer who is registered with a Competent Person Scheme?
- What if my installer is not registered with a Competent Person Scheme?
- What is a Minimum Technical Competence (MTC)?
Insurance Backed Guarantees
- Are the mechanisms for the windows guaranteed?
- What guarantee is available on windows?
- How safe is my guarantee?
- Are all insurance backed guarantees this safe?
- Does the guarantee cover my deposit or any instalments I may have paid?
- What will the Independent Network Insurance backed guarantee pay out?
- Are there any restrictions of the guarantee?
Jargon Buster
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Back Addition
The narrower part of a building, or wing, which extends rearwards beyond the “main“ structure, being an original feature rather than a subsequent extension. This is sometimes called an “outrigger“ in different parts of the country.
Baluster
A post or vertical pillar supporting a handrail or parapet rail.
Balustrade
A railing supported by balusters, especially one forming an ornamental parapet to a balcony, bridge, or terrace.
Bargeboard
Another name for a fascia, sometimes decorative, placed along the verge of a roof at a gable end.
Bay Poles or Bay Posts
These are specially designed couplers used on bay windows. They come in a variety of angles either fixed or variable and form part of the structure as in they are load bearing. PVC-U frames themselves are not load bearing.
Bay Window
Multiple frames adjoined that jut beyond the facade. Brickwork around the frames follow the shape. Bay poles/ posts used as couplers and load bearing devices. Not to be confused with bow windows.
BBA
British Board of Agrément. UK based approval body for the construction industry. Certificates are recognised by specifiers that the product has been assessed and will comply with Building Regulations.
Bead
The PVC-U section which securely clips in around a window’s glass unit, holding the glass in place and providing weather tight seal.
Bearing plate
A metal component used typically at the head and base of a bay pole/post which acts as a method to spread the load applied to the pole/post.
Bellcast
Thickening out of render, in a curved shape, to form a drip to deflect water. Usually found at the base of a wall, above the damp-proof course.
Bevelled
Bevelled finish also known as Chamfered refers to the angled edge detail around the frames apertures offering cleaner more minimal lines.
Bevelled glass
In the PVC-U industry, the term is used to describe a glass unit which includes decorative features usually consisting of a combination of cut glass bevels and lead.
BFRC
BFRC is the premier UK authority for independently verified ratings of energy efficient windows and doors. BFRC rated energy products carry a 'rainbow' label similar to those found on fridges, freezers, washing machines.
Bi-fold Door
A door consisting of anywhere between 2 and 7 panes which slide and fold back on themselves – creating a full width opening.
Bitumen
Black, sticky substance, similar to asphalt. Used in sealants, mineral felts and damp-proof courses.
Bond
The regular arrangements of bricks, blocks or stones in a wall so that the units may be joined together. The principal types of bond used in domestic construction are English, Flemish, header, stretcher, rat-trap, diagonal or garden wall bond.
Bottom hung
Also known as a hopper window, it is a type of opener which is hinged at the bottom and open inwards.
Bow Window
A different type of bay window, usually carrying only light loads and does not form an extension to the floor area of the room.
Box sash
Also known as vertical sliding windows, it is a type of window frame containing two elements which can slide up or down and occasionally tilt inwards also.
BPF
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the leading trade association for the UK Plastic Industry, with over 400 members and 1200 affiliated members.
Bressumer
A lintel, often timber, over an opening such as a fireplace or bay.
Brush pile
Also known as brush seal or wool pile, it is a flexible strip of fibres used around apertures or gaps around PVC-U openers and acts as a secondary seal.
Bubble gasket
A cylindrical shaped rubber seal generally used around sashes which creates a cushion like seal, especially effective when the gap varies between the window or door sash being closed and being locked as the hooks or bolts are engaged.
Building Regulations
Building Regulations are Government codes which set out the criteria that new building projects and refurbishment work must conform to. They help to ensure that buildings are safe, secure and energy efficient.
Bump stop
A device fitted to sliding doors or windows which allows the maximum opening of the sash to be restricted and therefore preventing clashing issues.
Butt hinge
A more traditional method of hinging sashes. Butt hinges stand proud of the door or window surface much like those commonly used on internal timber doors.
Buttress
A brick or stone support to a wall designed to resist lateral movement.
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Cam adjuster
A tool used to adjust the cylindrical locking of points known as cams used on some types of window and door hardware allowing fine tuning of compression or clearance where available.
Cames
The lead bars in leaded light windows.
Casement
An outward opening sash within a frame. Casement windows are generally internally beaded and incorporate two main seals. The most common type of UK window.
Cavity
The hollow space or gap between the external and internal skin of a building acting as an insulator and reduces the chance of moisture being transferred from one side to another through absorption.
Cavity Tray
A barrier inserted above a window or door to deflect moisture to the outer face, preventing internal damp. In many cases, this can be the lintel, though this arrangement is not always appropriate.
Cavity wall
A wall comprising of two leafs of masonry, tied together with proprietary metal ties with a hollow space or gap between the two skins.
Cavity Wedge
A simple device fixed between a sash and frame to assist in the alignment of the sash when closed and also offers an aspect of security and weather performance by reducing any possible movement.
CE marking
Conformité Européenne (CE) marking is a certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area.
Chamfered
Chamfered finish also known as bevelled refers to the angled edge detail around the frames apertures offering cleaner more minimal lines.
Cill
Window cill. The protruding lip at the bottom of a window or door that directs water away from brickwork.
Cockspur
An older type of window handle that does not operate any gearing or hardware and simply secures the sash by use of a simple latch arrangement.
Co-extruded
Co-extrusion is the process of forcing two or more materials through the same dye to produce a single piece. This process is used in extruding a PVC-U profile and is also used to describe the process used to apply gaskets at the point of extrusion.
Composite door
A robust, secure style of door that looks and feels like a traditional timber door. It’s commonly made from an outer skin of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) over a wooden or PVC-U frame infilled with foam insulation or similar.
Conservatory
A single storey, ground floor extension to a domestic building made using a minimum of 75% glazing and separated from the main building constructed using frames and a roofing systems.
Conservatory base
The term is an industry term used to define the foundations and sub structure of the conservatory.
Coping Stone
Usually stone or concrete laid on top of a wall as a decorative finish and designed to stop rainwater soaking into the wall.
Corbel
Projection of stone, brick, timber or metal jutting out from a wall to support a weight above.
Corner cleaner
A type of machinery found in PVC-U frame manufacturing plants which removes the excess sprue (weld spill over) created when joining PVC-U profiles by fusion welding.
Cornice
A moulding at the junction between a wall and ceiling. Can also include a moulding at the top of an outside wall designed to project and throw raindrops clear of the wall.
Coupler
A type of ancillary profile or component used to connect two or more frames together vertically or horizontally. Made from a variety of materials, PVC-U, steel, aluminium, etc.
Coupling Nut
An alternative method of joining two frames together using a hidden nut designed to fit into the back legs of outer frames.
Coving
Curved junction between wall and ceiling i.e.. a type of cornice.
Creasing
Projecting course of tiles to a wall or chimney to prevent rain from running down the face of the brickwork.
Crown/spider
This is the cover piece for the location where the roof glazing bars, ridge and eaves beams meet.
Cruck Beams
Pairs of curved timbers in period buildings which run from ground level and meet at the ridge.
Cupola
A dome or lantern shaped feature built on top of a roof.
Curtain walling
Glazed walling used in large buildings, often several storeys high (shop fronts/office buildings).
Cycle testing
A process of durability testing where the product is subjected to repeated cycles of the same motion.
Cylinder
A piece of hardware used on all types of doors which allows a key to be used to operate locking mechanisms.
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D mould
A trim mainly used at installation stage to mask gaps around or between frames.
Dado
The bottom one metre or so of wall clad with timber, originally designed to provide protection to the wall, and also covering the area most likely to be affected by rising damp. The top edge is finished with a Dado Rail.
Damp Proof Course
Layer of impervious material i.e. bitumen felt, incorporated into a walls designed to prevent rising damp to walls and lateral damp ingress around windows and doors etc.
Damp Proof Course (DPC)
A propriety moisture resistant strip built within the wall to resist damp usually 150mm above ground level to prevent moisture from the ground rising in the wall by capillary attraction.
Damp Proof Membrane
Horizontal layer of impervious material (usually polythene or bitumen) incorporated into floors or slabs.
Dead load (self-weight)
The load due to the weight of all walls, permanent partitions, floors, roofs and finishes including services and all other permanent construction.
Deadbolt
A feature on locking mechanisms, usually door locks, which provides a method of restricting how a lock can be operated and usually incorporates a rectangular bolt which engages the keep around the centre of the locking mechanism.
Dog bolt
A piece of hardware comprising of a static spike attached to a sash located on the hinge jamb which incorporates a spike shaped piece of hardware which engages into a keep pocket or plate and provides an additional locking point to heighten security.
Door restrictor
A piece of hardware used on all types of doors which allows the opening angle to be controlled. Most commonly used on open out doors to prevent wind folding the door back.
Door slab
Composite doors are offered in different thicknesses, the most common are 40mm, 44mm or, 68mm. A door slab is the term used to describe the sash part of a composite door assembly in either its raw machined or finished form.
Dormer
A construction with a window that projects from a sloping roof.
Double glazing
Glazing made up of two layers of glass with a space between them to improve insulation and reduce noise. Double glazing comes in several widths, although 24mm and 28mm are the most common.
Double rebate
A type of profile which comprises of two weather seals.
Double sided tape
Generally used in PVC-U frame manufacture to adhere Georgian bars to glass but is also used to attach and seal trims at installation stage or to add security as a seal on externally beaded glazing units.
Drip bar or drip rail
Part of a residential or composite door, located on the face of a door at the bottom externally the drip bar helps to deflect rainwater away from the door and prevent water pooling.
Drop nose Cill
A type of profile that is designed to be used as a window or door cill which has an extended overhang at the front edge to aid in directing moisture away from the brick work.
Dummy sash
A sash that does not open, usually included to enhance the appearance or symmetry of a window, mechanically fixed into the frame usually at the point of fabrication.
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Easy clean
Hardware used on side opening casement windows that allows an open window to be slid across the frame aperture and therefore provide access from indoors to allow cleaning from the inside.
Edge banding
Profile fixed around the edge of composite doors to house hardware and cover internal construction. Also describes a method of clamping mechanically jointed frames/sashes together during manufacture.
Efflorescence
Powdery white salts crystallized on the surface of a wall as a result of moisture evaporation.
Egress hinge
A window hinge allowing the maximum opening achievable to meet building regulations in regards to egress (emergency escape).
Energy efficiency
“Using less energy to provide the same level of service” is a general definition. In our industry that would be using less energy to keep a home at the desired comfortable heating level.
Engineering Brick
Particularly strong and dense type of brick, often used as a damp proof course in older buildings.
English Bond
Brickwork with alternating courses of headers and stretchers.
Euro cylinder
(See Cylinder) a Euro cylinder has a distinctive key hole shape. Often referred to as the door barrel.
Euro cylinder
(See Cylinder) a Euro cylinder has a distinctive key hole shape. Often referred to as the door barrel.
Euro cylinder
(See Cylinder) a Euro cylinder has a distinctive key hole shape. Often referred to as the door barrel.
Euro cylinder
(See Cylinder) a Euro cylinder has a distinctive key hole shape. Often referred to as the door barrel.
Euro groove
An industry standard dimensionally profile detail mainly found on sash profiles which allows the use of any hardware produced to suit it.
Excluder
A component which acts as a seal, usually found at the bottom of doors or where large gaps are necessary around openers. Also used a type of security device fitted to windows.
Expanding foam
A type of product generally used at installation which is used to fill gaps around frames when fitted.
Extruder
A manufacturer of linear lengths of material formed by material being forced through a die.
Extrusion
Most of the profiles used in PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories and roofline are extruded. Extrusion is the process of pushing PVC-U through a die to form a solid shape.
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Face fixed
A term used to describe the location of a component, face fixed products are more visible and generally require less preparation work than concealed components.
False mullion
A mechanically fixed profile or section which creates rebates for two adjacent opening sashes to seal against but moves with one of the sashes to create larger unobstructed opening.
Fascia
Part of the roofline system that seals a house from the elements, between the tiles and the brickwork. Fascia is the front vertical board on the complete roofline system. Fascia is also sometimes used as the collective word for roofline.
Fillet
A thin strip of plastic, wood, cement, slate etc. used to fill a narrow joint.
Finishing
Final covering and treatment to a surface such as plaster, render, cladding etc.
Fischer fixing
A component sometimes used in the installation of PVC-U frames which functions in a similar way to a rawlplug.
Fixing
Component that is used to secure separate parts of the window or door set to each other, to secure the completed window or door set into the structural opening.
Fixing brackets
An alternative method of attaching frames into a structural opening, instead of fixing through the frame the "bracket" is attached to the back legs of the frame and the fixings are located in the protruding section of the bracket.
Fixing foam
A type of expanding foam used as a packer around frames in structural openings.
Flag hinge
A type of hardware, flag hinges are mainly used on doors and provide a simple hinge solution for fabricators and generally of easily accessible control over adjustment.
Flank Wall
A side wall.
Flashing
Sheet cover formed over a joint for waterproofing. Normally formed in metal or cement, creates a weatherproof and durable construction detail between a roof structure and the existing house wall.
Flemish Bond
Brickwork with alternating headers and stretchers in each course.
Floating mullion
See False Mullion
Flush sash
A type of casement sash designed to give the illusion of a more traditional looking window by sitting "flush" externally.
Foil (lamination)
The process of mechanically covering the PVC-U profile with an attractive non-peel coloured wood grained finish, giving it a totally different appearance and colour.
Footings
Older, usually shallow, form or foundation of brick or stone.
Foundation
Means of distributing the structural loadings from a structure safely onto the ground.
Foundations
Normally concrete, laid underground as a structural base to a wall. In older buildings these may be brick or stone.
Frame depth
The distance horizontally from the front to the back of a profile, most commonly PVC frames are manufactured from profiles with a 70mm frame depth.
Frame extension
An ancillary profile used to increase the size of an outer frame profile by connecting to the back legs of the frame.
Frame packer
A component used at installation to wedge between the frame and brick work to assist in ensuring the frame is fixed solid and securely.
French doors
Double outward-opening doors that meet in the middle without a mullion, giving a clear unobstructed opening. Also manufactured as inward opening French doors occasionally.
French mullion
See False Mullion
French windows
Double outward opening windows that meet in the middle without a mullion, giving a clear unobstructed opening.
Friction Stay
The hardware used to hinge casement type windows to allow them open and stay open.
Fully reversible (aka Top Swing)
A type of window using special hinge hardware which allows the opening sash to pivot around the centre 180°, generally found in high rise buildings due to the ease of cleaning and weather performance.
Furniture
An alternative name for handles, knobs, locks etc. fitted to doors and windows.
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Gable
Upper section of a wall, usually triangular in shape, at each end of a ridged roof.
Gasket
The black rubber strip that runs around the pane of glass in a window to create a weatherproof join.
Georgian bar
Offers the illusion of small, individual panes of glass within a larger pane. Usually fitted within the cavity of the glazing unit.
GGF
The Glass and Glazing Federation is the main representative organisation for companies involved in the manufacture of products and services for all types of glazing.
Glazing bars
A member, by which infill glazing or opaque panels are supported in conservatories, retained and made weather tight and secure.
Glazing cassette
A mechanically fixed sub frame used to secure glazing into composite door slabs. A male and female frame is loaded from each side sandwiching the glass unit into an aperture on the door slab.
Glazing flipper
Used in conjunction with glazing platforms, glazing packers are used to wedge between glass units and frames to securely fix glass in place with the aperture.
Glazing packer
Used in conjunction with glazing platforms, glazing packers are used to wedge between glass units and frames to securely fix glass in place with the aperture.
Glazing platform
Small but important PVC-U mouldings that support the glazed units when installing them into a PVC frame.
Grout
Used for filling the joints between wall and floor tiles.
GRP
Glass Reinforced Plastic - fibreglass. A tough material made of plastic/fine glass fibres. Used by the marine industry for hard-wearing/weatherproof qualities and as outer skins on composite doors.
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Hardware
Usually refers to the handles, hinges and other non PVC-U elements used on PVC doors, windows and conservatories.
Head drip
Head drips appear at the top of a window or door and are a means of channelling water away from the front face of the window or door.
Head ventilator
A device which clips to the top of the frame and allows the circulation of air to a property in a controlled and secure manner.
Header Brick
A brick laid end on.
Hook-lock
A type of door lock that throws a hook or multiple hooks into a keep when the door is locked.
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Injection moulding
The manufacturing technique used to make parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials.
Inline patio door
A sliding patio door system where the moving door pane slides in front of the fixed pane.
Intumescent
A material which swells when heated protecting the material underneath or sealing a gap in a gap in the event of a fire. Used in strip form on fire rated products (Fire doors).
ISO
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organisations. ISO sets standards for manufacturing and environmental processes.
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Jacks (bay pole jacks)
See bearing plate.
Jamb
Vertical section of a window or door.
Jointing
The mortar bedding between bricks or stones.
Joist
A timber or steel beam directly supporting a floor or ceiling.
Juliet balcony
Often found in town houses or where living rooms, dining rooms or, kitchens are on the first floor. They comprise of a single or double door which opens inwards to allow maximum ventilation. Protection from falling is achieved with a balustrade.
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Keeps
The metal locking points found on doors or windows that are designed to accept the products locking mechanism.
Knocker
A type of decorative hardware used on doors, traditionally used of a method of attracting the occupiers attention.
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Lantern roof
A daylighting architectural element. Architectural lanterns are installed on top of larger roof and provide natural light into the space or room below. In contemporary use it is an architectural skylight structure.
LAPFAG approval
Local Authority PVCu Frame Advisory Group (LAPFAG) is made up of Local Authorities/Housing Associations/bodies engaged in the production/specification of PVCu windows.
Large frame
Also referred to as the Outer Frame, this is the part of the window or door that adheres to the building, remains static and houses the opening sashes transoms and mullions.
Lean-to
A structure, the sloping roof of which abuts a higher wall.
Lift & slide
A type of sliding patio door in which the hardware raises the opening sash to allow it to slide along a track in front of the fixed panes.
Lintel
A horizontal beam over a door or window opening usually carrying the load of the wall above. Often lintels can be partially or completely hidden from view.
Louvre
Slats laid at an angle incorporated into a door or window. Can be hinged to allow ventilation/light.
Low ‘e’ glass
Low ‘e’- low emissivity glass. Varies from normal clear glass, one side has a metal low emissivity coating, it is insular glass and lets in energy from the sun and blocks heat loss from the home.
Low threshold
A product specifically designed to be used at the bottom of a door frame and will be small in height to reduce the amount of "step over" required to enter through the door.
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Main frame
The section of profile used to construct the outer frame of a window or door.
Mastic
An alternative name for the silicone seal between the outer frame and the wall, also used to seal all elements exposed to damp or moisture such as screw holes.
Mitre
A type of joint between two sections, usually at 90° to each other.
Mortar
Mixture of sand, cement (or lime), and water used to join stones, blocks or bricks, and for pointing and general filling.
Mullion
A mullion is the vertical structural profile which divides adjacent window units or elements.
Multi chambered
Refers to the inside of PVC profiles or frames and helps to prevent the transfer of heat from the inside to the outside of the property or vice versa.
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Night vent
A method of creating ventilation in a frame without compromising security, usually achieved by use of a secondary position on the window sashes keep plate allowing the sash to be locked fractionally open.
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Ogee
A shape where a concave arc flows into a convex arc.
Orangery
A term adopted by the conservatory market, this type of conservatory is usually constructed using full height brick walls with windows in them instead of fully glazed walls and glass roofing systems.
Oriel bay
An alternative term used to describe a bow window.
Outer frame
An alternative term for the main frame of a window system.
Over scribed
A joining method sometimes used for glazing beads. The first bead is cut square to the aperture size while the overlapping bead is shaped at the end to meet the first bead.
Ovolo
Also known as the Sculptured, a more decorative style of edge detail found around the frames apertures or beads.
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Part F
Ventilation – Building Regulations. Part F sets out how much ventilation a building must have. Its impact on windows is often the addition of trickle vents.
Part L
Conservation of Fuel and Power – Building Regulations. Part L sets the thermal efficiency standards that buildings must comply with. All windows must now meet the standards set out in Part L.
Part M
Access to and use of Buildings – Building Regulations. Part M stipulates parameters for the width of front doors and the height of door thresholds, ensuring that people with reduced mobility can easily access buildings.
Party Wall
The wall which separates, but is shared by, adjoining properties.
PAS 24
PAS 24 – Enhanced security. PAS 24 is an accreditations that test the performance and security of windows & doors.
Pascal
The unit used to measure pressure, equal to one Newton per square metre.
Passivehaus
The term passive house refers to standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.
Patent
A licence for the sole right to exclude others from making, using or selling an invention, to protect the inventor from imitations.
Patio door
A set of doors with one or more glazed full sliding panels, often used to offer access to a garden.
PCE gasket
Low level gasket, fast fabrication/installation. Heat bonded gasket, no shrinkage/risk of wrong gasket being used. Gives a consistent quality/finish, stops stretching problems/maximises compression.
Penning in (Pen in)
A method of concealing the joint on coloured welded frames by use of a special coloured paint pen.
Pier
A vertical column of brickwork or other material, used to strengthen the wall or to support a weight.
Pointing
Outer edge of mortar joint between bricks, stones etc.
PVC-U
Polyvinyl Chloride- Unplasticised. Rigid plastic used in windows/doors. Low maintenance/long life. Term PVCu can be mistaken, including PVC/UPVC/UPVC/uPVC. Also known as plastic, e.g. plastic windows.
PVC-Ue
Polyvinyl Chloride – Unplasticised expanded. Often referred to as foam products. PVC-Ue has a hard external finish and a slightly less dense core than PVC-U.
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Q.lon
A brand name for a seal which is made using a neoprene outer which is foam filled.
Quadrant
A type of trim or finishing used at installation to mask gaps or steps.
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Racking
The distortion, or tendency to distort, laterally as in changing a rectangle to a non-rectangular parallelogram.
Raked
Pitched, sloping or generally angled shaped frames.
RAL
RAL numbers are the colour references used for matching colours on different types of products and surfaces.
Rebate
An overlapping section of a profile.
Registered design
Similar to a patent, however not as strict, a Registered Design relates to the overall appearance of the product resulting from one or more visual features.
Reinforcement
Usually made from steel, it offers additional strength properties to PVC profiles.
Relieving Arch
An additional arch over a lintel.
Render
Smooth or rough cast cement or lime based covering to a wall, either internally or externally, sometimes with pebbledash or other textured finish.
Residential door
A term used to describe a single door where the sash and frame are both made using PVC-U profiles and is glazed.
Restrictor
A piece of hardware designed to control how far a sash can open.
Reveal
The visible faces around the aperture of the opening or frame.
Reverse butt weld
A manufacturing technique to join two or more pieces of profile together to create different facing rebates along the same length.
Rider block
A wedge shaped moulding designed to guide the sash into the correct position when closed to aid equal coverage of seals all round and alignment for locking points.
Ring beam
Horizontal structural beam used in conservatories to spread roof load onto the poles/posts/brick work housing the frames of the walls. Frames aren't structural elements & can’t take horizontal loads.
Riser block
See rider block
Roof light
A window fitted into a roof to create more light.
Rough Cast
A rough render finish to external walls.
RSJ
Rolled Steel Joist.
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Sash
The opening portion or element of a window or door.
Saw centre
A type of machinery found in PVC-U frame manufacturing plants capable of performing numerous functions or stages in the production of PVC-U frames, these can include cutting (saw), weld preparation, drain slotting and, routing for locks etc.
Screed
Final smooth finish of a solid floor; usually cement or concrete.
Screw port
A hole or location specifically designed to take a fixing providing improved retention.
Secured by Design
Secured by Design (SBD) is the UK Police flagship initiative supporting the principles of “designing out crime”. Windows and doors that carry SBD approval have been assessed to provide a high degree of resistance to break-ins.
Self-cleaning glass
Glass that uses a dual-action process in which organic dirt is broken down by daylight and is then washed away by rain, thus making it easier to keep clean. Pilkington Activ and St Gobain Bio-clean are brand names for this type of glass.
Shiplap
Horizontal external fascia boarding, usually timber or PVC-U that links together using a tongue & groove.
Shuffle bead
A type of clip in function used on glazing beads. A flat section of the bead sits underneath the glazing unit.
Sight line
The point at which the profile finishes and the visible glass begins.
Sill
An alternative spelling of cill.
Single leg bead
A common clip function which uses a hook shaped leg to clip in and relies on the compression between the glass and profile to hold the bead in place.
Single rebate
A term used to describe a product which only utilises one rebate, commonly found on flush products such as composite doors or reversible and flush sash windows.
Snib
A device found on hardware to retain another component, for example hold a latch back on a door lock.
Soffit
Part of the roofline system on a house that seals the house from the elements, between the tiles and the brickwork. Soffit is the horizontal part that runs from the fascia back to the house wall.
Soldier Course
A course of bricks set on end over a window or door opening.
Solid floor
A concrete floor slab constructed and supported directly from the ground.
Spyhole
A type of hardware sometimes fitted to solid doors to allow visibility of callers from the inside.
Stability
Ability of structure to weather forces caused by load conditions without serious deflection/damage & ability to shift loadings to ground. Loads are structure self-weight/loads of wind/snow/access.
Stack Height
The dimension between the outer frame and eurogroove which houses the friction stay.
Stained glass
A technique using special coloured dyes to create the effect of traditional stained glass windows.
Stretcher
A brick or block laid length-ways.
Strikers
An alternative name for keeps used with locks.
String Course
A course of brickwork that projects beyond the face of an external wall.
Sub frame
A term used to describe the structural frame work within a product, for example a composite door may have a sub frame.
Suspended floor
Floor construction raised and suspended above the internal ground level and generally supported by the perimeter cavity walls, with possibly load bearing internal masonry walls to reduce the span of the floor.
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Thermal break
A carefully chosen material which acts as a way of reducing or heat or cold transfer between two surfaces. In windows, thermal breaks are often used within the double glazed unit in the form of warm edge spacer.
Thermal efficiency
“Using less energy to provide the same level of service” is a general definition. In our industry that would be using less energy to keep a home at the desired comfortable heating level.
Thermal insert
A specially designed product which can be inserted into the chambers of other profiles to change the thermal properties by creating more chambers for example.
Through frame vent
An optional built in feature to allow ventilation, located at the top of the window frame which passes through the frame.
Thumb turn
A type of door cylinder which includes a knob internally meaning no key is required to lock or unlock the door from the inside.
Tie bars
A metal bar connecting two components together to resist mutually opposing forces pulling the components apart often used in conservatories.
Tilt and turn
A window system that opens inwardly in two ways. Tilt and turn windows swing completely inwards allowing for easy cleaning. They also tilt at the top to provide good ventilation without leaving the window fully open.
Tilt first (Turn first)
Using alternative hardware the order in which a tilt & turn window operates can be controlled depending on the specifications requirements.
Top Hung
An alternative name sometimes used to describe a casement sash which is hinged horizontally with the handle at the bottom.
Top Swing (aka fully reversible)
Using specially designed hinges the sash can be rotated 180° completely outside the building allowing access to the outer pane for cleaning purposes.
Transom
The horizontal structural profile that divides adjacent elements of windows or doors.
Trickle vent
A ventilation system built into the top of the window frame.
Triple glazing
Glazing units constructed from three panes of glass which are considered more thermally efficient than double glazed units.
TS007 (3* combination for door handle & cylinder security)
BSI TS007:2012, revised British Kitemark on euro cylinders/security hardware. Using parts of past tests i.e. BS EN 1303:2005/BS 3621:2007/PAS24:2007* & has more tests including “lock snapping”
TS007 (3* combination for door handle & cylinder security)
BSI TS007:2012, revised British Kitemark on euro cylinders/security hardware. Using parts of past tests i.e. BS EN 1303:2005/BS 3621:2007/PAS24:2007* & has more tests including “lock snapping”
TS007 (3* combination for door handle & cylinder security)
BSI TS007:2012, revised British Kitemark on euro cylinders/security hardware. Using parts of past tests i.e. BS EN 1303:2005/BS 3621:2007/PAS24:2007* & has more tests including “lock snapping”
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U-value
A measure of heat loss. The lower the U value, the more energy efficient the window.
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Verge
The edge of the roof, especially over a gable, or around a dormer window or skylight.
Vertical slider
A window in the style of a traditional vertical-sliding sash window. Vertical sliding windows often allow both the top and bottom frames to slide freely. The frames also tilt inwards for ease of cleaning.
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Warm edge spacer
A recent innovation that replaces the aluminium spacer. Used to separate the two panes of glass in a double-glazed unit with a spacer made of a different material (often plastic) that transmits less heat. This makes the window more energy efficient.
Welder
A term used for type of machinery used to manufacture PVC-U frames. The ends of the cut profile are melted using heater plates and once softened forced together until cool and fused known as fusion welding.
WER
Window Energy Ratings– offering a way to show energy ratings of specific products. The ‘rainbow’ label is similar to those you see on refrigerators and other appliances, A+++ is the most efficient.
Wind load
The force applied to a structure as a result of the impact of wind. A term used to describe the imposed load an element may undergo taking the expected wind loads for its location to calculate its suitability or expected performance.
Window board
Used to create the internal window cill commonly manufactured from PVC-U or cellular based products.
Window/door system fabricator
The organisation responsible for the fabrication of the window or door.
Window/doors system supplier
The organisation responsible for designing and supplying the components used to manufacture windows and doors.
Wool pile
See brush pile.
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