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

debridge
the process of cutting away the metal on the bottom of an aluminum thermal break cavity once the two-part polyurethane has reached full strength, thus creating a thermally broken extrusion.
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desiccant
a porous crystalline substance used to absorb moisture and/or sealant solvents from within the sealed air space of an insulating glass unit (IGU).
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design load
the project’s wind load to be determined by the architect and expressed in psf, e.g., "the project design load shall be 38.7 psf, both positive and negative." It is also referred to as the project’s Design Pressure.
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Designation Number
prescribed by AAMA. One for each window style. It provides a code for architectural selection, e.g., TRACO TR-5000 = H-C45 = Double Hung - Commercial Grade - 45 psf Design Pressure.
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die
a perforated steel block through which aluminum or vinyl is extruded.
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dome
the spherical shape associated with skylights.
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double pitch design
pertaining to two opposite roof slopes, e.g., sloping North and South; also referred to as a ridge connection.
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double pitch with hip terminating each end of a ridge connection
design structure by turning a 90 degree corner and sloping the ends. This layout resembles a stretched pyramid.
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double strength glass
(DSB) 1/8" thickness.
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dry glazing
a method of securing glass in a window frame with a dry, preformed, resilient gasket, without the use of a glazing compound.
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dual action window
a window in which the operating vent tilts in from the top for ventilation and swings in from the side for glass cleaning. Each window has one handle to perform both operations. Also called a tilt-turn window.
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dual durometer bead
a vinyl glazing bead with a softer flap against glass and a harder section inserted into the sash member.
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dual glazed
two single lites glazed into a split sash with an airspace, not hermetically sealed, between the two single lites.
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dual sealed insulating glass
a superior insulating glass unit (IGU) which greatly resists seal failure (internal moisture accumulation). It is made by combining two glass lites, an air spacer, a primary seal, e.g., Polyisobutylene (PIB), for resistance to Moisture Vapor Transmission (MVT), and a secondary seal, e.g., silicone, for adhesive strength.
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dual weather seals
a pair of gaskets, running the length of a glazed system, one towards the exterior and one towards the interior, acting as twice the barrier protection of a single weather seal.
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dual window
two windows joined together, one in front of the other, to provide sound control.
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