The Crystal Product Portfolio
Vinyl Replacement Windows
Crafted from resilient plastic polymers, vinyl replacement windows offer exceptional energy efficiency, affordability, and durability. Ideal for low-rise buildings, they stand the test of time and can be manufactured in any shape or size to suit your project. Easy installation and the added benefit of cost-effective insulation make them the frontrunner for single or family double homes.
Vinyl New Construction
Specifically designed for new builds or extensive renovations, vinyl new construction windows boast superior energy efficiency, ventilation, and insulation—while still being budget-friendly. With seamless installation guaranteed during the early phases of construction, these windows deliver on both functionality and aesthetics: customizable to the dimensions of any space.
Aluminum Windows
Renowned for their sleek aesthetic appeal and structural resilience, aluminum windows are both lightweight and strong, classic and modern—at once standard and ever-changing alongside new building codes and energy standards. The windows that never go out of style; they unite durability, versatility, and modern elegance to deliver across mid- to high-rise projects.
Aluminum Doors
Crystal’s innovative line of aluminum doors deliver crystalline views of outdoor scenery while providing long-term energy savings and weather protection. Featuring sleek, simple-to-install frames, these high-performing doors add strength, durability, and a touch of modern sophistication to a range of projects—from residential properties to commercial buildings.
Vinyl Doors
Crystal’s vinyl doors feature innovative insulating air barrier technology developed to reduce strain on HVAC systems—boosting energy efficiency and lowering utility costs. The doors are simple to install and can be custom-finished with chic architectural transoms, beautiful circle tops, or coordinating sidelights, making them ideal for low-to-mid-rise residential projects.
Magnus UPVC / Passive Windows
Engineered with precision using Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC), these represent a new generation of windows—emphasizing adaptability, insulation, and energy-efficiency. With excellent thermal insulation, they help maintain a consistent indoor temperature and are ideal for minimizing fossil fuel usage across residential and commercial spaces.
Magnus UPVC / Passive Doors
Like their window counterparts, Magnus UPVC/Passive doors are long-lasting and low-maintenance, providing exceptional insulation and energy efficiency benefits. Built to minimize heat loss, these doors are an environmentally-friendly solution to reduce residential and commercial carbon footprints.
Glossary of Window and Door Nomenclature
What’s the difference between a double-hung window and a single-hung window? How about a bay window and a bow window? What is solar heat gain and why is it an important consideration in selecting appropriate windows for your project?
We’ve prepared this glossary to help answer a range of questions about window and door nomenclature. If you have a question about a particular term and don’t see it defined here, feel free to call us at (800) 472-9988. One of our window experts will gladly assist.
Select a tab to view a glossary of terms.
Air Chambers: Small honeycomb spaces within the sash and frame which help to insulate and strengthen the window.
Air Infiltration: The amount of air that passes between a window sash and frame. In windows, it’s measured in terms of cubic feet (or air per minute), per square foot of area. The lower the number, the less air the window lets pass through.
Air Latch: Latch mechanism on the interior face of the sash that retains the window in a partially open position for ventilation.
Angled Exterior: A sloped extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.
Architectural Shapes: Geometric windows of various shapes and styles.
Argon Gas: An odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic gas which is six times denser than air. Argon gas is used to replace air between the glass panes to reduce temperature transfer.
Awning Window: A top-hinged window that swings outward for ventilation.
Balance System: Device for holding a vertically sliding sash in any desired position through the use of a spring or weight to counterbalance the weight of the sash.
Bay Window: An angled combination of three windows that project out from the wall of the home. The windows are commonly joined at 30- or 45-degree angles.
Beveled Exterior: An angled extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.
Bow Window: An angled combination of windows in 3-, 4-, or 5-lite configurations. The windows are attached at 10-degree angles to project a more circular, arced appearance.
Butyl: A rubber material that seals the glass to the spacer, creating an airtight and watertight IG unit. Butyl has the lowest gas permeability of all rubbers.
Cam Lock and Keeper: The mechanisms which pull the sash together when placed in the locked position.
Capillary Tubes: Small hollow tubes which penetrate the spacer system of an insulated glass unit. They allow pressure equalization between manufacturing locations, shipping, and installation locations. Since the insulated glass unit is not permanently sealed, the air space cannot be filled with Argon gas.
Casement Window: A window with a side-hinged sash that opens outward for ventilation.
Center of Glass U- and R-Values: The U- and R-values measured from the center of the glass to 2-1/2” from the frame. These measurements rate the energy efficiency of windows.
Condensation Resistance Factor: A measure of the effectiveness of a window or glazing system to reduce the potential for condensation. The higher the condensation resistance factor, the more efficient the window and glazing system.
Conduction: Energy transfer from one material to another by direct contact.
Convection: Heat transfer by currents that flow from a warm surface to a colder one.
Cottage window: A double hung window with a larger lower sash.
Coved Exterior: An arched extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically-pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window.
Dead-air space: The space between the panes of glass of an I.G. Unit.
Deadlite: A piece of glass or I.G. Unit with a sash profile around it, not set within the main frame of a window unit.
Desiccant: A material used in insulating glass to absorb water vapor which causes fogging.
Double Hung Window: A window that has two operable sashes which slide vertically.
Double-strength Glass: A glass with a thickness of approximately 1/8”.
Dry Glazing: An alternative method of placing glass in a door or window. No glazing material is used. Dry glazing is recommended whenever reflective coatings are glazed to the first surface (the exterior side of the glass).
Dual-durometer: An elastomeric material with two different degrees of hardness.
Egress Code: The code that requires a minimum opening of a window for persons to exit or firefighters to enter a building.
ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR is an independent U.S. government program establishing a standard set of guidelines to recognize the energy efficiency of various products. ENERGY STAR guidelines are used in conjunction with a variety of building materials, including windows and patio doors.
Extruded screen frame: Different from a roll-formed screen frame, this frame is pressed through a form or die.
Fusion-welded: The process of joining materials by melting them together with extreme heat (over 500F), resulting in the materials uniting into a one-piece unit.
Geometric: Specially designed windows, often classified as Straight Line Geometrics, such as rectangles, triangles, trapezoid, octagons, pentagons, etc.
Glass: An inorganic transparent material composed of sand (silica), soda (sodium bicarbonate), and lime (calcium carbonate) with small quantities of alumina, boric or magnesium oxides.
Glazing: The process of sealing the glass to the sash or frame.
Glazing Bead: A strip of vinyl which surrounds the edge of the glass and holds it in place in conjunction with other sealants.
Grids: Decorative horizontal or vertical bars installed between the glass panes to create the appearance of the sash being divided into smaller lites of glass.
Head: The horizontal top portion of the main frame.
Head Expander: A vinyl shape cut the width of a product and placed on the head, fitting over it snugly. This piece is used as a filler to expand or lengthen the unit from the head and take up the gap in the opening between the unit and the opening in the unit.
Hopper Down: A window with a bottom-hinged sash that opens inward for ventilation.
Hopper Up: A window with a top-hinged sash that opens inward for ventilation.
I.G. Unit (Insulated Glass Unit): Two or more lites of glass separated by a spacer and hermetically sealed at the glass edges.
J-channel: A type of trim or molding used on the outside of a new construction window that eases installation on siding applications.
Jamb: Vertical sections of the main frame.
Keeper: The part of the window locking mechanism that interacts with the window latch or lock to secure the window in a closed position.
Keeper Rail: The horizontal section of the sash where the keeper is attached.
Keeper Stile: The vertical section of the sash where the keeper is attached.
Krypton Gas: An inert, odorless, colorless, tasteless, nontoxic gas which is about 12 times denser than air. It is used to replace air between the glass panes to reduce temperature transfer and deter convection. Used when a higher performance is desired than that produced with Argon gas.
Laminated Glass: Two or more pieces of glass bonded together over a plastic interlayer.
Lift Handle: A handhold for raising and lowering the sash. Handle implies that the handhold is not continuous across the sash.
Lift Rail: A handhold for raising and lowering the sash. Rail implies that the handhold is continuous across the sash.
Lite: A unit of glass in a window.
Lock Rail: The horizontal section of the sash where the cam lock is attached.
Lock Stile: The vertical section of the sash where the cam lock is attached.
Low-E (Emissivity) Glass: A glass with a transparent metallic oxide coating applied onto or into a glass surface. The coating allows short-wave energy to pass through but reflects long-wave infrared energy which improves the U-value.
Main Frame: The combination of the head, sill and jambs of a window.
Mechanically Fastened Frame: Refers to frames fastened with screws.
Meeting Rail: The horizontal sections of a pair of sashes that meet when the sashes are closed.
Meeting Stile: The vertical section of a pair of sashes that meet when the sashes are closed.
Mesh: Fabric made of either fiberglass or aluminum, used in the making of screens.
Mullion: A vertical or horizontal connecting piece between two or more windows.
Nailing Fin: An extension attached to the main frame of a window used to secure the unit to the rough opening.
Obscure Glass: A glass that has been made translucent instead of transparent.
Oriel: A window with the meeting rail located off center of the frame. Most oriels have a 60/40 configuration, where one sash is larger than the other.
Overlapping and Interlocking Meeting Rail: A patented meeting rail which overlaps and interlocks both sashes.
Patio Door: A glass door that slides opens and closes on adjustable tandem rollers.
Picture Window: A window that has no movable sash.
Pivot Alignment System: An hinge-type system used on hung windows. This system attaches the sash to the balance, creating perfect alignment between the sash and frame, while allowing the sash to tilt inward for cleaning.
Pull Handle: A handhold for sliding the sash back and forth. Handle implies that the handhold is not continuous across the sash.
Pull Rail: A handhold for sliding the sash back and forth. Rail implies that the handhold is continuous across the sash.
Pull Stile: A handhold for sliding the sash back and forth. Stile implies that the handhold is continuous across the sash.
R-Value: Resistance a material has to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance.
Rail: The horizontal sections of the sash.
Raised Exterior: An angled extension from the frame that adds an aesthetically pleasing dimension to the exterior of the window
Roll-formed Screen Frame: A method of fabrication in which a flat (usually metal) material is placed on a machine where the material is formed into shape using differently shaped rollers and pressure.
Sash: The part of the window which contains the glass.
Shading Coefficient: The ratio of solar heat that is transferred through a glazing material relative to the solar heat transferred through 1/8” clear glass. The lower the number the more efficient the window is at reducing solar heat gains.
Sill: The horizontal, bottom section of the main frame.
Sill Extension: An extrusion that is attached to the bottom of the window to cover the gap between the sill and the rough opening.
Single Hung: A window in which one sash slides vertically and the other sash is fixed.
Single-Strength Glass: A glass with a thickness of approximately 3/32”.
Slider Window: A window in which the sashes move horizontally. Sliders are available in a 2- or 3- lite configuration, with the 3-lite having operable end vents.
Sloped Sill: The sill of the window that has a downward slope to the outside.
Solar Heat Gain: The percentage of heat gained from both direct sunlight and absorbed heat. The smaller the number, the greater the ability to reduce solar heat gain.
Spacer: Material placed between two or more pieces of glass in order to maintain a uniform width between the glass, and prevent sealant distortion.
Stile: The vertical section of the sash.
Tape Glazing: Two-sided tape used to secure and seal the glass to the sash.
Tempered Glass: A glass with a surface compression. When broken, the glass breaks into pebbles instead of shards.
Tile Latch: Mechanism that unlocks the sash and allows it to tile in from the main frame.
Tilt-in/Lift-out Sash: A sash that can be tilted to the interior and removed for cleaning and is manufactured by welding.
Total Unit U- and R-Values: The total unit U-and R- values of the window are calculated from the average of the center of glass, edge of glass and frame U- and R-values. This is a measure of a window or door’s thermal performance.
Transom Windows: A horizontal picture window placed above a window or door.
U-Value: Amount of heat transferred through a material. The lower the U-value, the slower the rate of heat flow and the better the insulating quality.
UV Block: The percentage of ultraviolet rays blocked from being transmitted through the glass. The higher the number, the lower the percentage of ultraviolet rays transmitted through the window.
Vent Lock: Latch mechanism on the interior face of the sash which retains the window in a partially open position for ventilation.
Visible Light Transmittance: The percentage of light that is transmitted through glass in the visible light spectrum. The higher the number the higher the percentage of visible light transmitted through the window.
Weather-stripping: Material used to form a weather-resistant seal.
Weep Flaps: A weep hole that is covered with a flap that allows water to escape, while keeping insects out.
Weep Holes: Small openings designed to allow water to escape that might otherwise accumulate in a window’s sill.
Weep Slots: The Slots or holes in the sill (bottom) member of the sash frame that provides an outdoor release of infiltrated rainwater.
Wet Glazing: A silicone-based substance used to secure and seal the glass to the sash.
