Life without the window would be dark and dull. Luckily, our ancestors invented a window that made our lives bright and vivid. Some of the window models have been in use for centuries, and some are modern and produced recently.
The first thing you do when you open your eyes is going to a window and looking through it. ‘The window opportunity,’ ‘The window of my heart,’ ‘The window on the world’ are just some of the window sayings and phrases I like. Even though windows are unavoidable in our homes, we know so little about their parts. Therefore, let’s now look at them more closely.
A Window Body
There are various types of windows, and their components can vary. Also, there is a wide choice of materials for building a window. However, the first thing we should know something about is considered the anatomy of the window.
Well, the body of a window consists of three essential parts of a window, including a window frame, a sash, and window panes. Keep in mind that they often vary in style and mechanism.
Frame Parts of a Window
1. The sill
A sill (the lower part of the frame) is a base of the frame. The other name for the sill is a horizontal strip. It is the part of a window you usually lean on or put something on it, such as pots with your favorite plants. The part of the sill from the outside is a stool. It is slightly pointed to the ground and rarely positioned under 90 degrees.
Unlike the doors, the windows need a sill to protect their construction from rotting and damaging. The snow and rain would enter your window quickly if there were no sill. This part protects the window, as well as it can be handy for decorating and making it looks more attractive to the eye.
As being flat and shelf-like, you can use the sill to put various things such as books and pots with plants on it. If your window sill is big enough, you can transform it into a sitting area, as well.
2. The jamb
The jamb (side verticals) is a part of a window frame going from the bottom to top from both the left and right sides of a window. The jamb is an essential part of the window structure, which secures the window panes.
3. The head
The head is the top horizontal piece on the window’s frame parallel with the sill. As being at the top, it represents the highest point of the window. We usually measure the window height from the head to the sill.
4. Window Sashes
Sashes are parts of a window that hold the window panes and frames around the glass. You actually open and close the window by moving the sash. Windows that can’t open, such as a picture window, have fixed sashes.
The essential parts of a sash are glass frames, muntins (grids), stiles, and rails. Some models of sashes have window locks systems, as well.
5. Glass frames (Grilles)
These parts of a window keep the glass at the place and make the entire sash construction firm and stable. Since they vary in design and material, you can choose the one fitting your home the best.
6. Muntins (grids)
They are ornamental parts of a window that split it into smaller panes. You can also split off some of them for cleaning.
7. Stiles
Stile is the vertical part of a window sash. More precisely, it is a part of the sash frame parallel to jambs.
8. Rails
Rails are horizontal parts of a window sash. There are always two, bottom and top rail. However, double-hung windows contain four rails, as well. In sliding windows, the rails are placed both at the frame’s bottom and on top of it.
9. Locks
Window locks come in many designs and mechanisms. They serve to shut and secure the window tightly. Manufacturers position them in the middle of the window, aside, or at the bottom. Their position depends on the type of hanging and window style.
Glass Parts of the Window
Believe it or not, glass also has a few parts. Usually, there is more than one window pane in the frame. The more of them you have, the better will be the heat insulation in your home.
10. Window panes
Glass is a transparent, central part of a window, and the whole window structure is attached around it.
Nowadays, you can purchase a window with a double or triple glass window panes, which provide excellent insulation of your house. With these multilayers, you will get appropriate protection from harsh weather conditions and noise at the same time.
11. Spacers
Spacers are parts of a window situated at the bottom and top of the glass frame, which keep the distance between the glass window panes. The more glass panes you have, the more spacers your window will need.
12. Argon gas
Unfortunately, not many windows have this additional part. It is a pity since argon gas protects you from the noise coming from outside, and it is an excellent insulator. If your window has it, it is injected between its window panes.
13. Apron
An apron can be a part of the window, but not all windows have it. It is basically a trim placed inside the window, usually below the still or stool. In some cases, it is visible, which makes it a supporting piece and also a decorative one, as well.
Additional Basic Parts
Let’s take a look at some of the features that are not necessary, but you can also find them in the anatomy of some windows.
Casement Windows
14. Hinges
The casement window is the one opening to the outside more often than to the inside. Therefore, this type of window needs to have hinges.
You can see hinges from the inside part of a window. They hold the sash to the frame and enable the window to open and close. Two to three of them are enough to keep the window stable.
Double Hung Windows
15. Strikes for locking the window
The double-hung window consists of upper and lower sashes. You can lock them in the middle by using the strike. It is usually placed on the top of the lower sash.
Awning Windows
16. Operator’s arms
The operator’s arms are the opening mechanism of the awning window style placed at the bottom of the sash. You can open your window by pushing its base to the outside.
However, many basement windows have the mechanism at the top, and you can open your window from the top, not on the bottom.
Slide Windows
17. Sash pulls
It is a part of the hardware that you can find on your sash, usually on the operating side of the sliding window. Keep in mind that it is not a lock, and you can just use it as a handle to pull or push when needed.
Cross-Section of the Window
Nowadays, manufacturers use modern materials for constructing windows, such as PVC or aluminum. Therefore, modern windows are much more then what meets the eye. Let’s peek into the inner parts of a window sash and define the components you can find here.
18. Drain hole
It is part of a window frame as the frames of modern windows are hollow.
19. Sloped sill
It is the top part of the frame. The bottom rail usually comes on top of it.
20. Meeting rail
The meeting rail is the part of a window positioned on the place where the bottom rail connects with the frame. It actually keeps them together.
21. Air latch and pulley
You can see these parts of a window when you look at the cross-section of a window. They are parts of the innovative production of quality windows and insulation systems.
22. Glass sealant
It prevents water from entering the window. This waterproof seal connects the joints of the window.
Additional Practical Window Parts
A variety of new additional parts of the window is offered on the market daily. Some of them are very practical and protective, including window blinds. On the other hand, many of them have decorative use, such as bay window curtains or bathroom window curtains.
23. Window blinds
Window blinds won’t only protect your windows, but also your furniture and curtains from sun rays. They are handy regardless of whether you hang them outdoor and indoor. Your choice will mostly depend on the type of windows in your house and your preferences.
24. Curtains
Curtains are not a direct part of a window, but they are definitely unavoidable decorations in every home.
Summary
You should choose your windows wisely since they are a huge part of the daily life of your family. They need to be practical and insulate. That is the only way to enjoy and save you money in the long run.
Also, they are decorative and useful since you can use their sill as a shelf for your collectibles or pots with flowers. By knowing the parts of the window, you are one step closer to maintain or purchase better windows.