WINDOW BASICS

LowE Glass , or low-emissivity, glass was created to minimize the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through your glass, without minimizing the amount of light that enters your home. Low-E glass windows have a microscopically thin coating that is transparent and reflects heat.
Argon Gas , is denser than air, and adding it to the captive air in double-pane windows improves thermal insulation efficiency.  By bringing the temperature of the window closer to room temperature it eliminates air currents and drafts that occur when differing temperatures meet.

X's & O's ?!?!

XO windows are the most common window style on the market. The X is the horizontal moving portion (sometimes called the vent or sash), and the O is the stationary part (sometimes called the fixed or picture lite).
Windows are always configured when looking at them from the outside.

Single Hung or Vertical Slider

Also very common, these models have a vent/sash on the bottom that slides up vertically assisted by internal springs that are balanced to the weight of sash.
Although the frame work is very similar to an XO horizontal slider you can not use a single hung model rotated on it's side (or vise versa).

When in doubt, look for the drain holes on the frame, which get orientated at the bottom during installation.

Fixed or Picture

Very simple non-opening windows.

Again, look for the drain holes at the bottom to know which measurement is width, and which is height.

Awnings and Casements

Awning windows are hinged at the top and push or crank open

Casement windows are hinged on the side and push or crank open (similar to a door)

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