Window

A glassed opening in a wall or ceiling that provides natural light and ventilation types include awning, casement, circle head or fan, clerestory, double hung, fixed and traverse or sliding.   Below are some of the more traditional styles of windows.  A glazed opening in an external wall of a building; an entire unit consisting of a frame sash and glazing, and any operable elements.

Window Hardware

Various devices and mechanisms for the window including catches, fasteners and locks, hinges, pivots, lifts and pulls, pulleys and sash weights, sash balances, and stays.

Window Sill

The lower or base framing of a window opening.

Window Wells

A device installed outside of a window in a foundation to allow grading and not cover the window with earth.

Windows & Doors

Windows and doors lose or gain the most heat of all the building's components. In recent years, the window industry has developed warm edge spacers, Low-E coatings, low-conductance gases (Argon filled), improved weather-stripping. Windows are rated by U-Factors. The lower the U-Factor the more efficient the window. 

Wing

A building section or addition projecting out from the main structure.

Wire Nut

Plastic or plastic and metal connector used to splice two or more wires without solder.

Wood Frame Construction

Construction in which walls and partitions are formed by the wood framing of studs, or posts and girts, supporting a wooden roof and floor decks may be covered with wood, metal, stucco, composition siding or shingles or veneered with brick or stone facing.

Working Fluid

The heat transfer fluid that changes the temperature.

Worm Gear

Toothed gear and screw combination found in casement window operators and in tilt mechanisms of venetian blinds.

Woven Valley

Method of valley construction in which shingles from both sides of the valley extend across the valley and are woven together by overlapping alternate courses as they are applied. The valley flashing is not exposed.

Wrought Iron

A comparatively pure form of iron with practically no carbon, that is easily forged, welded. Steel that has been molded and worked into ornamental shapes and patterns used for railing, gates, furniture, etc.

Zone

A zone is the area that one thermostat is controlling. For example, a two-story house with a thermostat on each floor has two zones, one for each floor.

Zoning

The dividing of a home into different areas each with their own heating and cooling properties. For example, you might prefer to have the kitchen area of your home be slightly cool, while at the same time keeping the temperature in the bedrooms warmer.  A way to increase your home comfort and energy efficiency by controlling when and where heating and cooling occurs in a home. Programmable thermostats are used to control operating times of the equipment. Dampers are used to direct airflow to certain parts or "zones" of the home.