Windows have many parts. When you go window shopping, no matter what window styles you’re considering, or which window glass options you are most attracted to, the parts of a window are likely to come up in your interactions with your window installer.
Knowing the parts of a window can help you with the purchase process, and may help you understand why your windows at home aren’t meeting your needs anymore. When the parts of a window fail, they can lead to leaks, drafts, and foggy windows.
At Woodland Windows and Doors, we’re committed to helping our customers make informed decisions when they’re shopping for their home’s windows and doors. We like to ensure that our customers are educated about their purchases and the products that we sell. Here’s what you need to know about the parts of a window.
What are the 3 Main Parts of a Window?
There are three main parts of a window: the frame, sash, and glass. Each part is distinctive and plays a different role in window functionality.
Frame
The frame holds the other parts of the window together and attaches to the house to form a tight seal. It’s important to ensure that your window frame is properly installed, caulked, and weatherproofed to protect your home’s energy efficiency.
Sash
The sash is the part of the window that contains the glass. Operable sashes slide up and down or side to side on a track or open outward on hinges. Inoperable sashes are securely attached to the frame and do not move at all.
Glass
The glass is the part of the window that sits on the sash. Window glass comes in different types including Low-E, impact-resistant, high efficiency, condensation-resistant, privacy glass, and decorative glass. We sell all of these glass types at Woodland Windows and Doors.
The type of glass you choose for your home’s windows depends on your needs. If you live in a location with pedestrian traffic outside your home, you may want privacy glass. If you have very large windows facing west or south, energy efficiency will be key to ensuring your home stays comfortable in the summer.
What is a Window Frame?
A window frame fits around the window made from the same material as the window. Window frames have many different parts, including the head, sill, jamb, apron, and weep holes. These parts may be discussed when you’re seeking window replacement or repair.
Window Frame Vocabulary
Window sashes are complicated structures that have many parts. Below are some of the most common terms that you might hear when you’re discussing a new window or a window repair.
Head
The window head is the horizontal piece that fits at the top of the window. The window head is opposite the sill, found at the bottom of the window.
Sill
The window sill is the horizontal piece that fits at the bottom of the window, opposite the head. The sill is sometimes called the window stool. Window sills jut outward from the window and are slightly slanted downward on the exterior to repel water.
Jambs
The jambs of the window are the vertical sides found on either side of the frame.
Apron
The window apron is the horizontal piece of window found beneath the still. It is the lowest point of the window.
Weep Holes
Weep holes are small openings that allow moisture that collects in the window tracks to drain out of the window.
What is a Window Sash?
The window sash is the part of the window that contains the glass and other connected parts of the window. Some window sashes can move, others can’t.
Window Sash Vocabulary
Window sashes are complicated structures that have many parts. Below are some of the most common terms that you might hear when you’re discussing a new window or a window repair.
Pane
The pane is the glass part of the window sash. One sash can have multiple panes.
Window Rail
The window rail is the top and bottom parts of the window sash.
Spacers
Spacers are the parts of the window that help separate and insulate the window panes in a dual-pane or triple-pane window. Spacers are important for the energy efficiency of the window.
Sash Lock
The sash lock is the part of the window that keeps operable sashes locked. Locking the sash prevents it from being opened from the inside or the outside.
Lift
The lift is the handle that lifts the operable panes in double and single-hung windows.
Lite
The lites are the different sections of glass between grilles.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is the seal that helps improve the energy efficiency of your window. New windows come with insulation that helps keep them energy efficient, but additional weatherstripping can be installed to make your window more efficient.
Glass Vocabulary
Glazing
Glazing is the glass part of the window. Glazing is a term that’s used to refer to the overall glass, not the individual panes. It plays a crucial role in determining a window’s energy efficiency and insulation capabilities. Modern windows often feature double or triple glazing.
Single Pane
A single-pane window is a window with only one pane. Single-pane windows are very uncommon now and are not used in residential settings any longer. They were once standard but have largely been replaced by double-pane or even triple-pane windows in modern construction.
Dual Pane
Dual pane windows are windows that have an inside pane and an outside pane, and gas or air insulation in between the two panes. Dual pane windows are far more energy efficient than single pane windows. They’re the most common types of windows found in homes today.
Triple Pane
Triple-pane windows are windows that have three panes: one inside, one outside, and one in the middle. Although triple-pane windows are even more energy efficient than dual-pane windows, they’re also heavier and more costly. They’re not as common as dual-pane windows.
Air Space
Air space is the space between two panes of glass in dual-pane and triple-pane windows. This space plays a critical role in enhancing the window’s thermal performance and soundproofing capabilities. The air space in modern windows also contributes to reducing condensation and moisture buildup.
Low-E
Low-E glass is glass that reflects heat but allows light to pass through. Low-E glass is important for maintaining energy efficiency in your home. Low-E glass also helps protect interior furnishings and finishes from fading by blocking a significant portion of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Need New Windows? Call Woodland Windows and Doors
At Woodland Windows and Doors, we sell a range of products. Whether you’re seeking a single kitchen sink window or to replace all the windows in your home, we can help. We can also answer your questions, like whether double-hung windows are better than single-hung, or whether you can replace a double-hung with a casement window. We’re here to help!
To get started with your window purchase, contact us for a free in-home consultation, or stop by our showroom to see our windows in person.
