Clarity is the foundation of a successful home improvement, which is why we have demystified the technical world of window replacement in this comprehensive guide. Drawing on over a century of Andersen innovation, this glossary provides an authoritative look at our exclusive Fibrex® material, High-Performance glass packages, and the rigorous engineering standards of our local Certified Master Installers. By mastering the language of our Signature Service®, you can confidently navigate your custom design options while ensuring your home benefits from superior performance and lasting beauty. This resource is your essential key to understanding why our start-to-finish process remains the industry gold standard for quality and peace of mind.
A
Acclaim™ Series An exclusive line of replacement windows available only through Renewal by Andersen, featuring our highest-grade Fibrex® material frames and hardware options.
Air Infiltration Rate A measure of how much air "leaks" through the seals of a closed window. Renewal by Andersen units consistently achieve rates far lower than the industry standard.
Argon Gas Blend A non-toxic, odorless, clear gas injected between the glass panes. It is denser than air and acts as a high-performance thermal buffer to slow the transfer of heat between the interior and exterior.
Awning Window A window hinged at the top that opens outward from the bottom. These are ideal for providing ventilation even during light rain.
B
Bay & Bow Windows Combinations of three or more units that project outward from the wall. Bay windows typically feature a large center picture window flanked by two operable units at 30 or 45-degree angles. Bow windows consist of four to six units arranged in a gentle, sweeping curve.
Brickmold An exterior trim piece that covers the gap between the window frame and the siding or brick of the home.
C
Casement Window A side-hinged window that cranks outward to the left or right. Renewal by Andersen casements open to a full 90 degrees, allowing both sides of the glass to be cleaned from the comfort of the interior.
Certified Master Installer (CMI) An elite professional who has completed extensive training in our proprietary installation methods. CMIs are experts in ensuring weather-tight seals and structural integrity while treating your home with the utmost respect.
Check Rail The horizontal member where the sashes of a double-hung or gliding window meet and lock.
Condensation Resistance (CR) A rating of how well a window resists moisture formation on the interior glass surface. Our high-performance glass and spacers ensure the interior glass remains warmer, reducing CR.
D
Design Pressure (DP) Rating A rating that identifies the wind and water load a window is rated to withstand. High DP ratings are essential for homes in storm-prone or high-wind regions.
Double-Hung Window A traditional style where both the top and bottom sashes slide vertically. Both sashes tilt inward for easy cleaning of the exterior glass from inside the home.
E
ENERGY STAR® Partner A designation showing that our products meet or exceed the strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Ensemble™ Entry Doors Our premium line of custom-built doors for your front door, side door or back door replacement needs, engineered for security and performance using advanced materials that resist warping and rot.
Estate™ Hardware Collection Our premium hardware line made of solid forged metal. Available in 11 finishes, including Oil Rubbed Bronze, Distressed Bronze, and Satin Nickel, designed for a luxury tactile experience.
F
Fibrex® Material A revolutionary structural composite patented by Andersen Corporation. Composed of 40% reclaimed wood fiber and 60% proprietary thermoplastic polymer, it offers the thermal insulation of wood without the maintenance. It is twice as strong as vinyl and resists thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring a weather-tight seal even in extreme temperature shifts.
Full Divided Light (FDL) Grilles The gold standard for historical accuracy. It features an exterior Fibrex® grille, an interior wood/Fibrex® material grille, and a structural spacer between the glass to perfectly mimic the look of individual panes.
Full-Frame Installation A method where the entire existing window, including the frame and trim, is removed down to the rough opening to inspect for and repair hidden water damage or rot before the new unit is set.
Fully Transferable A unique feature where the warranty remains with the home, automatically transferring to the next owner and adding significant resale value.
G
Gliding Window (Slider) A window where at least one sash slides horizontally past another. Our gliding tracks are engineered from Fibrex® material to prevent the pitting and sticking common with vinyl sliders.
Grilles-Between-the-Glass (GBG) Aluminum grilles permanently installed between the panes, providing the look of divided lights with a smooth, easy-to-clean glass surface and are a designer/contoured grille rather than a flat grille.
H
Head The horizontal member forming the top of the window or door frame.
HeatLock® Technology An innovative room-side glass coating that reflects radiant heat back into the room. This allows a dual-pane window to achieve thermal performance levels previously only possible with triple-pane glass.
High-Performance Low-E4® Glass Our standard high-efficiency glass featuring a multi-layered metallic coating that reflects radiant heat. It is 56% more energy-efficient in summer and 45% more efficient in winter compared to ordinary dual-pane glass.
I
Indoor Advantage Gold™ Certification Verification that our windows meet the world’s most rigorous chemical emission standards, ensuring a healthier indoor air environment.
Insert (Pocket) Installation A surgical installation method where a custom unit is fitted into the existing, structurally sound wood frame, preserving original interior and exterior trim.
Interior Finishes The colors and grains available for the inside of the frame, including White, Canvas, Sandtone, and real wood veneers (Oak, Maple, Pine) that can be stained to match existing decor.
Interior Wood Grilles (INTW) Removable hardwood interior grilles to give you the look of a traditional divided light on the inside, while allowing you to remove the grille for cleaning.
J
Jamb The vertical members of the window or door frame.
L
Low-E4® Sun Glass Engineered specifically for hot, sunny climates, this glass features an additional tint to significantly reduce solar heat gain and keep homes cooler during intense summer months.
M
Main Frame The outer structure of the window that is secured to the house. Constructed entirely of Fibrex® material, it provides the strength to support large glass areas with slim profiles.
Meeting Stile The vertical member where two sashes or door panels meet in the middle.
Mullion A structural element used to join two or more individual window units together into a single large combination.
N
Non-Prorated Coverage Unlike most warranties that lose value as the window ages, our coverage remains at 100% value for the duration of the term.
P
Patio Doors High-performance entryways including Frenchwood Gliding (sliding doors with the aesthetic of a French door), Frenchwood Hinged (traditional swing doors), and Contemporary Gliding doors featuring slim profiles and maximum glass area.
Picture Window A non-operable window designed to frame a specific view and allow maximum light. Often paired with operable awning or casement units for ventilation.
R
Red Carpet Treatment Our installation protocol that includes the use of drop cloths, protective booties, and a "white glove" cleanup, leaving your home cleaner than we found it.
Rough Opening The structural "hole" in the wall. Our installers inspect this for level, square, and integrity before a custom-built unit is installed.
S
Sash The internal part of the window that holds the glass. In Renewal by Andersen units, the sash is milled with mortise-and-tenon joints for a handcrafted look and superior structural integrity.
SCS Global Services Certified Recognition that our Fibrex® material is made from at least 40% reclaimed wood fiber by weight, making us a leader in sustainable manufacturing.
Signature Service® The Renewal by Andersen® brand promise of a start-to-finish replacement experience. It defines one-company accountability, where we own the design, sales, manufacturing, installation, and warranty-no middlemen and no "finger-pointing."
Sill The horizontal member forming the bottom of the frame. Our sills are sloped specifically to manage water by draining it away from the home.
SmartSun™ Glass The highest-performing glass option for thermal control and UV protection. It blocks 95% of harmful UV rays, preventing the fading of furniture and flooring while maintaining high visible light transmittance without a heavy tint.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) A measure of how much solar radiation passes through a window. A lower SHGC is critical in sunny climates to reduce cooling costs.
Specialty Window Custom-shaped, non-operable units available in 13 shapes, including Circle Top™, Arch, Peak Pentagon, and Triangle, used as architectural accents.
Stainless Steel Spacer The "frame" that separates the two panes of glass. Unlike foam or plastic, our stainless steel spacer is low-conductive and resists seal failure for the life of the window.
T
The 20/10/2 Warranty The industry's most robust limited warranty: 20 years on glass and Fibrex® material, 10 years on hardware, and 2 years on the installation itself.
TruScene® Insect Screen An exclusive high-transparency screen made with micro-fine stainless steel mesh. It provides 50% more clarity than standard aluminum screens, allowing more natural light and air into the home while keeping even small insects out.
U
U-Factor A measure of how well a window prevents heat from escaping. The lower the U-Factor, the better the window's insulating properties.
V
Visible Transmittance (VT) A measure of how much natural daylight passes through the glass. Our coatings are "spectrally selective," allowing maximum VT while blocking heat.
W
Weatherstripping A system of flexible seals (often triple-redundant in our units) that prevents air and water from entering the gaps between the sash and the frame.
