Sash
Assembly of stiles and rails made into a frame for holding glass.
Sash lift
Handle used to assist in raising and lowering the sash of a single-hung or double-hung window.
Self-closing screen door
Screen door that gently closes every time someone enters or exits.
Sidelight
Fixed (non-venting) frame of glass beside a window or door.
Sill
The horizontal part forming the bottom frame of a window or door opening..
Simulated-Divided-Light grilles
Grilles permanently bonded to the interior and exterior of the insulating glass, simulating a the look of divided-light.
Single glazing or single-pane glass
Single thickness of glass in a window or door.
Single-hung window
Similar to a double-hung window with the top sash fixed or inoperable.
Sliding patio door
Patio door in which a vent panel moves horizontally on a track system past a fixed panel.
Sliding window
Window in which a vent panel moves horizontally on a track system past a fixed panel.
Slimshade® blinds
Pella® mini-blinds tucked between panes of glass – protected from dust, damage and little hands.
SmartFlash® tape
Pella’s SmartFlash installation flashing tape is a part of the Pella® Window and Door Installation Method1 integrates the window into the weather barrier using a watershed design to minimize water damage and callbacks.
Snap-in between-the-glass window fashions
Changeable blinds, fabric shades, grilles and decorative panels tucked between panes of glass – protected from dust, damage and little hands. See also “Between-the-glass window fashions.”
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Measure of how effective a window or door is at keeping out solar heat. Calculated by taking the amount of solar heat that enters a room through a window or door (center glass), divided by the amount that is actually contacting the exterior of the unit. The lower the value, the better the unit keeps out solar heat.
Sound Transmission Class (STC) Rating
Measure of the amount of noise reduction that can be achieved with a given product. A noise reduction of 10 decibels represents cutting the noise level in half, as interpreted by the human ear. So a rating of 25 means that the product reduces the outside noise by approximately 25 decibels, cutting the noise in half 2-1/2 times, or cutting it by over 80 percent.
Special Shape window
Fixed, nonventing window that does not open. Available in a variety of curved or angled shapes.
Stile
Vertical parts of a window sash or door panel.
Stool
Interior trim piece on a window that extends the sill and acts as a narrow shelf.
Stop
Moulding used to hold, position or separate window parts.
SureLock® System
Pella’s patented unison locking system on casements, which secures the window at two locking points by operating one handle. Locks reach out to lift and pull the sash against the weatherstripping to form a tight seal.
Sweep
Energy-efficient system at the bottom of a hinged door that forms a tight seal against air infiltration between the door and the sill/threshold.
Tempered glass
Glass manufactured to withstand greater-than-normal forces on its surface. It is approximately five times stronger than annealed glass. When it breaks, it shatters into small pieces to reduce hazard. Tempered glass cannot be cut after tempering.
Thermal break
Element of low conductance placed between elements of higher conductance to reduce the flow of heat or cold. Often used in nonwood windows to increase energy efficiency.
Tilt-only blinds
Between-the-Glass Blinds that are fixed at the top and bottom of the window and tilt for light control and a uniform look.
Tinted Glass
Glass tinted in Gray, Bronze or Green to help block the sun’s rays, control glare and keep rooms that get direct sun cooler. Also helps block the view into the inside.
Top-down shades
Fabric cellular shades that can be pulled down from the top to any position, allowing light to shine through the top of the window.
Transom
Small window that fits over the top of a door or window, primarily for additional light and aesthetic value.
Triple-glazing or Triple-pane glass
Pella’s Designer Series® triple-pane glass that includes exterior with clear insulating or Low-E insulating glass with argon2, plus an interior hinged glass panel with clear or Low-E glass. #1 for energy efficiency3 and noise reduction4among top national brands.
U-factor
The rate of heat transfer through a window or door. The lower the U-factor, the better the insulating properties of the unit or glazing system.
Unison Lock System
Pella’s Unison Lock System that secures both upper and lower locks with a single handle.
1 New construction, nonbarrier siding applications only. Pella’s installation method is specifically designed for use with Pella® windows and doors only and should not be used with non-Pella products.
2 High-altitude Low-E insulating glass does not contain argon gas.
3 Based on superior NFRC U-values and SHGC ratings.
4 Compared to top national brands with similar glazing.