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Glossary

 

Argon - An inert, nontoxic gas used in insulated windows to reduce heat transfer.  Argon gas is standard in LoĒ² sunroom products from Metals USA.

Double Glazed – Two layers of glass separated by a spacer and sealed at the edges as used in windows and doors.

Double-Pane - Two panes of glass separated by a spacer with a hermetically sealed air space between the panes. 

Eave - The roof overhang on a sunroom where the front wall meets the roof.

Energy Star - ENERGY STAR qualified windows are independently certified to meet or exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy.  By installing Energy Star eligible windows, you may receive a tax credit of 10% of the cost up to $200.  Please see www.energystar.gov for details.

Fascia – Trim pieces covering the ends of rafters at the base of a roof.

Gable Roof – A double sloping roof with a ridge and a triangular-shaped gable at the end.

Heat Absorbing Glass - Any variety of bluish-green glasses designed to absorb some of the heat generated by a light source.

IBC - International Building Code developed by the International Code Council (ICC).

Insulated Glass – Sealed double-pane glass units with a vacuum or gas in the space between the panes.

Kick Plate - A metal plate fastened to the bottom of a door to resist blows and scratches.

Knee Wall - A short wall below the windows on exterior walls. 

LWP – Laminated Wall Panels consisting of an EPS foam core and painted aluminum facings. 

LRP / IRP – Laminated or Insulated Roof Panels consisting of an EPS foam core and painted aluminum facings.  These roof panels interlock and are specifically designed to carry the loads of a patio cover or patio enclosure roof system.

Lattice - An open framework made of various sized beams overlaid in a regular pattern supported by columns usually as a decorative shade cover or structure.

Load bearing – Referring to a wall or other component that provides structural support.

LoĒ² Glass - Coated insulated glass that transmits light, blocks solar gain, and reflects heat in the summer while reducing the loss of radiant heat in the winter. The glass is coated with microscopically thin, optically transparent layers of silver sandwiched between layers of anti-reflective metal oxide coatings. The glass blocks 84 percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and delivers a 96 percent performance improvement in winter nighttime insulation (R-value) compared to non-coated air-filled insulating glass.  This glass allows over 90% of the natural light in while blocking the ultraviolet and infrared rays that bring in heat and fade furniture and carpeting.

Patio Cover – Typically, any overhead covering constructed in an elevated position over a patio or deck with the intent to provide shade or rain coverage for the patio area.  Patio covers are either attached to an existing structure (home) or constructed as a free-standing structure. 

Pitch – The incline or rise of a roof.

R-Value - “R” is the measure of a substance’s resistance to heat flow.  An “R” value is a number assigned to insulation; the higher the number, the better the insulation.

Reflective Glass - Window glass coated to reflect radiation striking the surface of the glass.

Setback – The distance required by code or regulation between a structure and a street, sidewalk or property line.

Single Glazed Window – A window with one layer of glass.

Solex – A heat absorbing glass, manufactured by PPG, with a light green tint used to diffuse Ultraviolet light.

Span - The distance between columns or structural supports.

Sunroom – Common name for a porch or patio area enclosed by windows and doors and designed to admit a large amount of sunlight.

Tempered Glass - Specially treated window glass, approximately 5 times stronger than regular glass, which if broken, breaks into small, safer pieces instead of dangerous shards. Tempered glass is also referred to as safety glass, and is typically required by building codes because it can "flex" significantly more without breaking and resists impact, shock, thermal and mechanical stress better than standard glass 

Thermal break – A separation, filled with a non-heat conductive material, between components of a metal structure to lessen the transfer of heat from one component to another.

Tilt Window - A single or double-hung window whose operable sash can be tilted into the room for ease of cleaning.

Transom - A small window above a door or another window.

UL - Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization.

U-Value – The rate of non solar heat gain or loss through glass; a measure of a material’s ability to transfer heat; the lower the number, the less amount of heat that is conducted.