Doors, Window, Glass and Curtain Wall Terminology...
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

AAMA
American Architectural Manufacturers Association - a window industry organization that establishes voluntary standards, e.g., AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97, certification to those standards, and designations, e.g., H-C45 for the TRACO TR-5000. In addition, AAMA developed five well-accepted performance classes - Residential (R), Light Commercial (LC), Commercial (C), Heavy Commercial (HC), and Architectural (AW) – which assist architects, specifiers, and building owners in defining the appropriate window performance required for each application.
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adjustment clip
hardware on hung window jambs to align jambs after window installation.
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air infiltration rate
the amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows, and doors (the lower, the better). Usually expressed as cfm per square foot of window area.
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anodize
the process that provides a hard, durable oxide film on the surface of aluminum, by electrolytic action.
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ANSI
American National Standards Institute - a clearing house for all types of standards and specifications.
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ASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers which set standards for materials, e.g., ASCE 7-93 (formerly ANSI A58.1) "Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures."
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ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials - a society of engineers which set standards for testing of materials.
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astragal
an extrusion that joins two sash which are in the same window track.
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