Glossary - A

A Glossary of window terminology

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AAMA
American Architectural Manufacturers Association. A national trade association that establishes voluntary standards for the window, door, storefront, curtain wall and skylight industries.

Awning window

A window that has a single sash in which the bottom of the sash swings outward. Awnings are typically wider than they are tall.

Air infiltration
The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors. This test measures air infiltration through a window or door, excluding air which passes between the frame of the unit and the wall. The units are tested as specified in AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97: cfm (cubic feet/minute) per square foot of overall frame dimension.  

Argon gas
An inert, nontoxic gas used in insulating glass units to reduce heat transfer.

ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials. Organization that develops methods for testing of materials.

Aluminum
A malleable metallic element, bluish silver-white in color, that has good electrical and thermal conductivity, high reflectivity, and resistance to oxidation. It is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust.  

Anodize
A treatment process to apply a protective coating to bare aluminum.  

Astragal
The vertical trim attached to one of the sash of a French casement window or one of the panels of a French door that bridges the gap between the sash/panels when closed to provide weather and overswing protection.