Glossary of Window and Door Terms

Glazing refers to the actual part of a wall or window which is made of glass. It can also refer to the way that a glass panel is constructed (eg. double glazing, triple glazing).

Grade A Safety Glass is a type of glass which adheres to the highest safety requirements of Australian Standard 1288 (AS1288). High-traffic areas of a home, and areas that tend to be prone to accidents (such as large doorways which people may accidentally walk or fall through) are required to be fitted with this type of glass. Additionally, all glass in bathrooms (such as for windows and glass shower screens) should be fitted with Grade A Safety glass.

Heat gain refers to the amount of heat which is transferred from the outside of a building to the inside, through vertical windows, doors and walls. When looking at glass windows and doors, it’s important to consider windows with a lower heat gain, as these will help rooms stay cooler in summer time.

Heat loss refers to the transfer of heat from the inside to the outside of a building. Choosing a type of glass for your windows and doors that has a lower level of heat transfer will help keep heat in when it’s colder outside, and reduce your heating costs.

Heat transfer refers to the transfer of heat either into or out of a building, through the processes of radiation, convection and conduction. When choosing windows and doors for rooms you want to keep insulated, choose glass that has lower levels of heat transfer, to help keep the temperature in your home more constant, with less of a need to use heaters or airconditioning.

A highlite is a fixed panel or sash above a glass window or door, which may be operable or inoperable. It can be useful for when you want to let a little air into the home for ventilation, but don’t want to leave an entrance door open.

A hinged door is a traditional type of door which is hinged on one vertical side and can be opened inwards or outwards. Double hinged doors in which the opening edges are adjacent are known as French doors.

Insulating glass refers to any type of glass which is comprised of two or more panes with a completely sealed, airtight space in between each pane. This space may be filled with either dehydrated air, or an inert gas such as argon, which will further increase the energy efficiency of the glass. Double glazed windows are one example of insulated glass.

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