Knowledge centre

Aluminium & Glazing Glossary

A bilingual dictionary of aluminium window, door, glass and facade terms — thermal break, Low-E, U-value, curtain wall and more — explained simply.

Aluminium alloy 6063سبيكة الألمنيوم ⁦6063⁩: 6063 is an aluminium–magnesium–silicon alloy and the most widely used grade for architectural extrusions. It extrudes into complex thin-walled shapes, gives a smooth surface for coating or anodising and offers good corrosion resistance.; Temper T5 / T6 Extrusion Anodising
Temper T5 / T6المعالجة الحرارية ⁦T5 / T6⁩: The temper designation describes how an extruded profile has been heat-treated. T5 means cooled after extrusion and artificially aged; T6 means solution heat-treated and then artificially aged, giving higher strength. 6063-T5 and 6063-T6 are the usual grades for windows, doors and facades.; Aluminium alloy 6063 Extrusion Wall thickness
Extrusionالبثق: Extrusion is the process of pushing a heated aluminium billet through a steel die to produce a profile with a constant cross-section. Each window or door system is made from a family of extruded profiles designed to work together.; Aluminium alloy 6063 Temper T5 / T6 Multi-chamber profile
Thermal breakقاطع حراري: A thermal break is a low-conductivity insulating barrier, usually polyamide strips, that separates the inner and outer aluminium parts of a profile. It greatly reduces heat flow through the frame, lowering the Uf value and the risk of condensation on the inside face.; Polyamide strip (PA66 GF25)Uf (frame U-value)Condensation Multi-chamber profile
Polyamide strip (PA66 GF25)شريط بولي أميد (⁦PA66 GF25⁩): The insulating strip used in thermal-break profiles is typically polyamide 6.6 reinforced with 25% glass fibre (PA66 GF25). It combines low thermal conductivity with structural strength and a thermal expansion close to that of aluminium, so the composite profile stays stable.; Thermal break Multi-chamber profile Uf (frame U-value)
Multi-chamber profileقطاع متعدد الحجرات: A profile whose cross-section is divided into several hollow chambers. The chambers add stiffness, house hardware and reinforcement, and, together with the thermal break and foam inserts, reduce heat transfer through the frame.; Thermal break Frame depth Extrusion
Wall thicknessسماكة الجدار (للقطاع): The thickness of the aluminium walls of an extruded profile, stated in millimetres. Together with alloy, temper and profile geometry it determines stiffness and screw-holding strength; window and door profiles are commonly specified at around 1.4–2.0 mm.; Temper T5 / T6 Deflection Frame depth
Frame depthعمق الإطار: The front-to-back dimension of the outer frame profile, measured perpendicular to the glass. Deeper frames generally accommodate thicker glazing, wider thermal breaks and higher wind loads.; Frame Wall thickness Multi-chamber profile
Sightlineعرض القطاع الظاهر: The visible width of aluminium seen from the front of a window, door or facade, for example where frame and sash meet. Slim sightlines maximise glass area and views, but must still satisfy structural and thermal requirements.; Frame Sash Mullion Ghost door
Frameالإطار: The fixed outer perimeter of a window or door that is anchored to the building opening. It carries the sashes or fixed glass and transfers loads to the structure.; Sash Frame depth Sub-frame Mullion
Sashالضلفة: The opening part of a window or door that holds the glass and moves within the frame, by swinging, tilting or sliding. Its profile carries the hardware and the gaskets that seal against the frame.; Frame Casement Glazing bead Hardware
Mullionالقائم الرأسي (ميليون): A vertical member that divides a window or curtain wall into separate bays and carries wind load to the floor slabs or frame. In curtain walls, mullion depth is usually governed by span and wind pressure.; Transom Curtain wall Wind load resistance Deflection
Transomالعارضة الأفقية (ترانزوم): A horizontal member that divides a window, door or curtain wall into upper and lower sections. In curtain walls, transoms span between mullions and carry the dead weight of the glass.; Mullion Curtain wall Fixed light (fixed glazing)
Glazing beadكلبس تثبيت الزجاج (بيد): A removable clip-in profile that holds the glass in the frame or sash and presses it against the glazing gasket. Beads are normally placed on the inside so glass cannot be removed from outside.; Sash EPDM gasket Insulated glass unit (IGU)
Insulated glass unit (IGU)وحدة زجاج عازل (⁦IGU⁩): An insulated glass unit is two or more glass panes separated by a spacer and hermetically sealed at the edges, with dry air or an inert gas in the cavity. It is the standard glazing format for energy-efficient windows and facades.; Double glazing Triple glazing Warm-edge spacer Argon gas fill
Double glazingزجاج مزدوج: An insulated glass unit with two panes and one sealed cavity, for example 6 mm + 12 mm cavity + 6 mm. Compared with single glass it substantially reduces heat gain, noise and condensation, especially when combined with a Low-E coating.; Insulated glass unit (IGU)Triple glazing Low-E glass Ug (glass U-value)
Triple glazingزجاج ثلاثي: An insulated glass unit with three panes and two cavities. It achieves lower Ug values and better acoustic performance than double glazing, at the cost of more weight and a deeper frame.; Double glazing Insulated glass unit (IGU)Ug (glass U-value)Frame depth
Low-E glassزجاج منخفض الانبعاثية (⁦Low-E⁩): Glass with a microscopically thin metal or metal-oxide coating that reflects long-wave infrared (heat) radiation while transmitting visible light. Sputtered (soft-coat) Low-E is placed inside an IGU cavity; pyrolytic (hard-coat) Low-E is more durable but generally less efficient.; Solar control glass Ug (glass U-value)Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC / g-value)Double glazing
Solar control glassزجاج التحكّم الشمسي: Glass with a coating or body tint designed to limit the solar heat entering a building while admitting daylight. In hot Gulf climates it is the main tool for reducing cooling loads, and it is assessed by its SHGC and light-to-solar-gain balance.; Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC / g-value)Visible light transmittance (VLT)Low-E glass Reflective glass
Laminated glassزجاج مصفّح (لاميناتد): Two or more glass layers permanently bonded with an interlayer such as PVB or SGP. If broken, the fragments stay attached to the interlayer, which makes it a safety and security glass; it also improves acoustic insulation and blocks most UV radiation.; Tempered glass Sound reduction index (Rw)Heat-strengthened glass
Tempered glassزجاج مقسّى (سيكوريت): Glass heated close to its softening point and rapidly cooled, making it roughly four to five times stronger than annealed glass. When broken it shatters into small blunt fragments, so it is classed as safety glass; it cannot be cut or drilled after tempering.; Heat-strengthened glass Heat soak test (HST)Laminated glass
Heat-strengthened glassزجاج مقوّى حراريًا: Glass heat-treated with slower cooling than tempered glass, giving about twice the strength of annealed glass. It breaks into larger pieces that tend to stay in the frame, so it is often laminated for overhead and facade use; it is not a safety glass on its own.; Tempered glass Laminated glass Spandrel panel
Heat soak test (HST)اختبار النقع الحراري (⁦HST⁩): A process in which tempered glass is held at high temperature in an oven to provoke breakage of panes containing nickel sulphide inclusions before installation. It reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of spontaneous breakage; EN 14179 defines the procedure.; Tempered glass Curtain wall Heat-strengthened glass
Argon gas fillغاز الأرغون: Argon is an inert, non-toxic gas used to fill the cavity of an insulated glass unit. Because it conducts heat less than air, it lowers the Ug value of the unit, typically by around 0.2–0.3 W/m²K for a standard double-glazed unit with Low-E.; Insulated glass unit (IGU)Ug (glass U-value)Low-E glass
Warm-edge spacerفاصل الحافة الدافئة: A spacer bar made of low-conductivity materials such as stainless steel or plastic composites, used instead of a conventional aluminium spacer at the edge of an IGU. It reduces the thermal bridge at the glass edge, improving the Uw value and lowering the risk of edge condensation.; Insulated glass unit (IGU)Uw (whole window U-value)Condensation
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC / g-value)معامل اكتساب الحرارة الشمسية (⁦SHGC / g-value⁩): The fraction of incident solar radiation that ends up as heat inside the building, both transmitted directly and absorbed then re-radiated, expressed from 0 to 1. A lower SHGC means less solar heat gain; the g-value (EN 410) expresses the same quantity in European practice.; Solar control glass Visible light transmittance (VLT)Low-E glass
Visible light transmittance (VLT)نفاذية الضوء المرئي (⁦VLT⁩): The percentage of visible light that passes through the glass. A high VLT gives bright interiors; comparing VLT with SHGC (the light-to-solar-gain ratio) shows how selectively a glass admits daylight while rejecting heat.; Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC / g-value)Solar control glass Reflective glass
Reflective glassزجاج عاكس: Glass with a metallic coating that gives a mirror-like appearance from the brighter side and reflects a large share of solar energy. It reduces glare and heat gain but also lowers daylight, and external reflectance may be limited by local authority rules.; Solar control glass Visible light transmittance (VLT)Tinted glass
Tinted glassزجاج ملوّن: Glass coloured throughout its body (for example grey, bronze, green or blue) by adding metal oxides during manufacture. The tint absorbs part of the solar energy and reduces glare, but on its own it is less selective than modern coated solar control glass.; Reflective glass Solar control glass Heat-strengthened glass
U-valueمعامل الانتقال الحراري (⁦U-value⁩): The U-value measures the rate of heat transfer through a building element per square metre for each degree of temperature difference, in W/m²K. The lower the U-value, the better the thermal insulation.; Uw (whole window U-value)Uf (frame U-value)Ug (glass U-value)Thermal break
Uw (whole window U-value)معامل الانتقال الحراري للنافذة كاملة (⁦Uw⁩): Uw is the U-value of the complete window or door, combining the frame (Uf), the glass (Ug) and the linear thermal bridge at the glass edge (Ψg) weighted by their areas and lengths. It is calculated to EN ISO 10077 and depends on the actual size tested or declared.; U-value Uf (frame U-value)Ug (glass U-value)Warm-edge spacer
Uf (frame U-value)معامل الانتقال الحراري للإطار (⁦Uf⁩): Uf is the U-value of the frame and sash profiles alone. In aluminium systems it depends mainly on the depth and design of the thermal break and on insulating inserts in the chambers.; U-value Thermal break Polyamide strip (PA66 GF25)Uw (whole window U-value)
Ug (glass U-value)معامل الانتقال الحراري للزجاج (⁦Ug⁩): Ug is the centre-of-glass U-value of the glazing, calculated to EN 673. It is driven by the number of panes, the Low-E coating, the cavity width and the gas fill.; U-value Low-E glass Argon gas fill Double glazing
Linear thermal transmittance (Ψ-value)معامل الانتقال الحراري الخطي (Ψ): The Ψ (psi) value quantifies the extra heat loss along a linear junction, such as the glass edge or the window-to-wall connection, in W/mK. Warm-edge spacers and careful installation details reduce it.; Warm-edge spacer Uw (whole window U-value)Condensation
Air tightness (air permeability)إحكام ضد الهواء: The ability of a closed window or door to limit air leakage under a pressure difference. It is tested to EN 1026 and classified 1 to 4 under EN 12207 (class 4 being the tightest), or tested to ASTM E283 in North American practice.; Water tightness Wind load resistance EPDM gasket EN 14351-1
Water tightnessإحكام ضد الماء: The ability of a window, door or facade to resist water penetration under wind-driven rain. It is tested to EN 1027 and classified under EN 12208 (from 1A up to 9A, with E classes above that), or tested to ASTM E331 / AAMA 501.; Air tightness (air permeability)Drainage slot (weep hole)Wind load resistance EN 14351-1
Wind load resistanceمقاومة ضغط الرياح: The ability of a window, door or facade to withstand positive and negative wind pressure without excessive deflection or damage. It is tested to EN 12211 and classified under EN 12210 (pressure classes 1–5 and deflection classes A–C), or tested to ASTM E330.; Deflection Mullion Air tightness (air permeability)Water tightness
Deflectionالانحراف (الترخيم): The bending of a profile or glass pane under load, usually expressed as a fraction of its span (for example L/175 or L/300). Deflection limits protect the glass, seals and hardware and are a key check when sizing mullions and transoms.; Wind load resistance Mullion Transom Wall thickness
Sound reduction index (Rw)مؤشر العزل الصوتي (⁦Rw⁩): Rw is a single-number rating in decibels of how much airborne sound an element blocks, determined to ISO 717-1. Correction terms C and Ctr adjust it for different noise spectra, with Ctr relevant to traffic noise; higher values mean better sound insulation.; Sound transmission class (STC)Laminated glass Air tightness (air permeability)
Sound transmission class (STC)فئة انتقال الصوت (⁦STC⁩): STC is the North American single-number acoustic rating defined by ASTM E413. It is similar in purpose to Rw but uses a different frequency range and method, so the two values should not be compared directly.; Sound reduction index (Rw)Laminated glass Triple glazing
Condensationالتكثّف: Condensation forms when a surface is colder than the dew point of the adjacent air. In the Gulf it often appears on the outside of cold, air-conditioned glazing in humid coastal weather, and on the inside at poorly insulated frames and glass edges.; Thermal break Warm-edge spacer Linear thermal transmittance (Ψ-value)
EN 14351-1المعيار ⁦EN 14351-1⁩: The European product standard for external windows and pedestrian doors. It lists the performance characteristics to be declared, such as air permeability, water tightness, wind resistance, thermal transmittance and acoustic performance, and refers to the test and classification standards for each.; Air tightness (air permeability)Water tightness Wind load resistance Uw (whole window U-value)
Casementمفصلي: A window or door sash hinged on one side that swings open inwards or outwards. Casements compress their gaskets when closed, so they generally achieve better air and water tightness than sliding systems.; Tilt & turn Hinge Top-hung (awning) window Sash
Tilt & turnقلاب ودوّار: An inward-opening window that, depending on the handle position, either tilts inwards at the top, pivoting on its bottom edge, for secure ventilation or swings fully open on side hinges for cleaning and airflow. The function is controlled by a perimeter hardware gear operated from a single handle.; Casement Espagnolette Handle Multi-point lock
Sliding window / doorنافذة / باب سحّاب: A system in which one or more panels slide horizontally on rollers along tracks in the frame. It saves space because nothing swings into the room, and it is common for balconies and terraces; tightness depends heavily on brush seals, gaskets and interlock design.; Lift & slide Roller (sliding carriage)Interlock Ghost door
Lift & slideرفع وسحب: A sliding door in which turning the handle lifts the sash off its seals onto rollers so it can slide, and lowering it presses the sash back onto the gaskets. This allows large, heavy panels with better tightness than standard sliding doors.; Sliding window / door Roller (sliding carriage)Threshold (sill track)Handle
Folding / bi-fold doorباب قابل للطي (أكورديون): A door made of several hinged panels that fold against each other and stack to one or both sides, running on a top or bottom track. It can open almost the entire width of the opening, linking indoor and outdoor spaces.; Hinge Threshold (sill track)Sliding window / door Roller (sliding carriage)
Pivot doorباب محوري: A door that rotates on a vertical pivot fixed at the top and bottom, set in from the edge rather than on side hinges. It suits large, heavy entrance doors, and the floor pivot often includes a hydraulic closing or positioning mechanism.; Swing door Hinge Multi-point lock
Swing doorباب مفصلي: A door leaf hung on side hinges that swings in one direction, or in both directions with double-action hinges. Single- and double-leaf swing doors are the standard format for entrances, interior doors and bathroom doors.; Casement Hinge Pivot door Concealed hinge
Pocket doorباب جيبي (ينزلق داخل الجدار): A sliding door whose panels disappear into a cavity built inside the adjacent wall when open. The pocket must be planned during construction, with access for maintaining rollers and tracks.; Sliding window / door Ghost door Roller (sliding carriage)
Ghost doorباب شبحي (بمسار مخفي): A sliding door system in which the outer frame and track are concealed in the floor, walls and ceiling, leaving only very slim sash sightlines visible. It gives an almost frameless glass appearance and requires coordination with finishes during construction.; Sliding window / door Sightline Pocket door Threshold (sill track)
Top-hung (awning) windowنافذة معلّقة من الأعلى: A window sash hinged at the top that opens outwards from the bottom, usually held by friction stays or a chain actuator. It allows ventilation while shedding rain and is common in curtain walls and high-rise buildings.; Friction stay Casement Curtain wall Opening restrictor
Vertical lift (guillotine) windowنافذة ذات رفع رأسي (مقصلية): A window in which the glass panel moves vertically, raised and lowered by counterweights, springs or electric motors, often disappearing into a sill or head pocket. It suits counters, kitchens and outdoor dining areas.; Sliding window / door Sash Fixed light (fixed glazing)
Fixed light (fixed glazing)زجاج ثابت: A non-opening glazed panel set directly in the frame. Fixed lights give the best tightness, slimmest sightlines and lowest cost per square metre, and are often combined with opening sashes in the same frame.; Frame Transom Glazing bead
Hardwareالإكسسوارات / المعدّات: The mechanical components that allow a window or door to open, close, lock and carry its weight, including hinges, rollers, locks, handles and stays. Hardware must be matched to the profile system and to the sash weight and size.; Hinge Multi-point lock Handle Roller (sliding carriage)
Multi-point lockقفل متعدد النقاط: A locking system that engages the sash or door leaf with the frame at several points along its height with a single handle or key action. It improves security and pulls the leaf evenly onto the gaskets for better tightness.; Espagnolette Handle Tilt & turn Pivot door
Espagnoletteذراع القفل المحيطي (إسبانيوليت): A gearbox and connecting rod mechanism fitted in the sash profile groove that moves locking cams or bolts when the handle is turned. It is the core component of multi-point locking and tilt & turn hardware.; Multi-point lock Tilt & turn Handle
Roller (sliding carriage)بكرة (عربة انزلاق): The wheel assembly on which a sliding sash runs along its track. Rollers are rated by load capacity per sash, and stainless steel or sealed bearings improve smooth operation and durability in dusty, humid conditions.; Sliding window / door Lift & slide Pocket door
Hingeمفصّلة: The pivoting component that connects a sash or door leaf to the frame. Common types include surface-mounted barrel hinges, three-dimensional adjustable hinges and concealed hinges, each rated for a maximum leaf weight.; Concealed hinge Casement Swing door Hardware
Concealed hingeمفصّلة مخفية: A hinge fitted within the profiles so that it is not visible when the window or door is closed. It gives a cleaner appearance and is harder to tamper with, but must be selected carefully for the leaf weight.; Hinge Swing door Tilt & turn
Friction stayذراع احتكاك: A sliding arm hinge with adjustable friction that both supports an outward-opening sash and holds it at any open position. It is the usual hardware for top-hung and outward casement windows.; Top-hung (awning) window Casement Opening restrictor
Opening restrictorمحدّد الفتح: A device that limits how far a sash can open, typically to around 100 mm, to reduce the risk of falls from height. It is commonly required for windows in high-rise buildings, schools and children's rooms.; Friction stay Top-hung (awning) window Handle
Handleمقبض: The component used to operate and lock a window or door. On tilt & turn and multi-point systems the handle drives the espagnolette; lockable handles and push-button handles add security and child safety.; Espagnolette Multi-point lock Tilt & turn
Drainage slot (weep hole)فتحة تصريف المياه: Slots machined in the frame and sash that drain any water entering the profile back to the outside. They are usually fitted with weather caps or flaps to stop wind and insects, and must be kept clear of dust and sealant.; Water tightness Sliding window / door Threshold (sill track)
Interlockقطاع التعشيق: The meeting profile where two sliding sashes overlap when closed. Its design, together with brush seals and gaskets, largely determines the air and water tightness and the visible sightline of a sliding system.; Sliding window / door Sightline Air tightness (air permeability)
Threshold (sill track)العتبة السفلية: The bottom profile of a door frame, which the leaf seals against or slides on. Low or flush thresholds improve accessibility and the indoor–outdoor transition but need careful drainage design to remain watertight.; Lift & slide Drainage slot (weep hole)Ghost door Folding / bi-fold door
Powder coatingدهان بودرة (باودر كوت): A dry polyester powder applied electrostatically to pretreated aluminium and cured in an oven to form a continuous, durable film. It is available in a wide range of RAL colours and textures; architectural specifications typically require a minimum film thickness of about 60 µm.; Pretreatment Qualicoat AAMA 2604 Wood-grain finish (sublimation)
PVDF / fluorocarbon coatingفلوروكربون (⁦PVDF⁩): A liquid coating based on polyvinylidene fluoride resin, usually applied in two or three coats. Systems with 70% PVDF resin offer excellent resistance to UV fading and chalking and are commonly specified for facades and high-rise projects to AAMA 2605.; AAMA 2605 Powder coating Curtain wall
Anodisingتشطيب مؤكسد (أنودايز): An electrochemical process that thickens the natural oxide layer of aluminium, producing a hard, integral finish that does not peel. Colours range from natural silver to bronze, champagne and black, and film thickness is specified in microns, with higher classes for exterior use.; Qualanod Aluminium alloy 6063 Powder coating
Wood-grain finish (sublimation)تشطيب بنقشة الخشب: A finish in which a printed wood-grain film is applied over a powder-coated base and transferred into the coating by heat (sublimation). It gives the look of timber such as walnut or oak with the low maintenance of aluminium.; Powder coating Qualicoat Pretreatment
Pretreatmentالمعالجة السطحية المسبقة: The cleaning, etching and conversion-coating stages applied to aluminium before painting. Correct pretreatment, today often chromium-free, is essential for coating adhesion and for resisting filiform corrosion in coastal environments.; Powder coating Qualicoat PVDF / fluorocarbon coating
Qualicoatشهادة ⁦Qualicoat⁩: An international quality label for coating plants and coating products used on architectural aluminium. It defines test requirements and three powder classes: Class 1 (standard), Class 2 (superdurable) and Class 3 (high durability); Seaside approval covers enhanced pretreatment for coastal sites.; Powder coating Pretreatment Qualanod AAMA 2604
Qualanodشهادة ⁦Qualanod⁩: The international quality label for anodising plants. It specifies thickness classes (for example 15, 20 and 25 µm) and sealing quality requirements, with thicker classes recommended for aggressive exterior environments.; Anodising Qualicoat
AAMA 2603المعيار ⁦AAMA 2603⁩: The entry-level North American specification for pigmented organic coatings on aluminium extrusions and panels. It requires one year of South Florida exposure and is generally suited to interior or low-exposure applications.; AAMA 2604 AAMA 2605 Powder coating
AAMA 2604المعيار ⁦AAMA 2604⁩: The high-performance North American coating specification, requiring five years of South Florida exposure with limits on colour change, chalking and gloss loss. Superdurable polyester powders are commonly certified to this level.; AAMA 2603 AAMA 2605 Powder coating Qualicoat
AAMA 2605المعيار ⁦AAMA 2605⁩: The highest North American coating specification, requiring ten years of South Florida exposure with strict limits on fading, chalking and erosion. It is typically met by 70% PVDF coatings and is often specified for curtain walls and cladding.; PVDF / fluorocarbon coating AAMA 2604 ACP cladding (aluminium composite panel)
Curtain wallواجهة زجاجية (كيرتن وول): A non-load-bearing external wall, usually aluminium-framed and glazed, that hangs from the building structure and carries only its own weight and wind loads. It is built either as a stick system on site or as factory-assembled unitised panels.; Stick system curtain wall Unitised curtain wall Structural glazing Mullion
Stick system curtain wallنظام القطع المركّبة في الموقع: A curtain wall assembled piece by piece on site: mullions are anchored to the slabs, transoms fixed between them, then glass and pressure plates or structural glazing installed. It needs less factory work but more site labour and scaffolding or access equipment.; Curtain wall Unitised curtain wall Pressure plate and cover cap Mullion
Unitised curtain wallنظام وحدات جاهزة: A curtain wall made of large panels fully assembled and glazed in the factory, usually one storey high, then lifted and hooked onto brackets on the slab edge. It offers controlled quality and fast installation and is the usual choice for high-rise towers.; Curtain wall Stick system curtain wall Anchors and brackets Shop drawings
Structural glazingتزجيج إنشائي: A method of fixing glass to the supporting frame with structural silicone instead of external pressure plates, giving a flush, all-glass exterior. It can be two-sided or four-sided, and the bond must be designed, tested and applied under controlled conditions.; Structural silicone Curtain wall Unitised curtain wall
Structural siliconeسيليكون إنشائي: A high-strength silicone sealant that adhesively bonds glass to aluminium and transfers wind loads to the frame. Its bite and thickness are calculated for each project, and adhesion and compatibility are verified by the sealant manufacturer, typically to ASTM C1184 or EN 15434.; Structural glazing Silicone weather sealant Curtain wall
Pressure plate and cover capلوح الضغط والغطاء الخارجي: In a captured curtain wall, an aluminium plate screwed to the mullion or transom clamps the glass against gaskets, and a snap-on cover cap hides the screws. The cap can be shaped or deepened to create vertical or horizontal fins.; Stick system curtain wall EPDM gasket Mullion
Spandrel panelلوح الواجهة المعتم (سباندرل): The opaque zone of a facade that conceals slab edges, beams and services between vision areas. It is typically made of ceramic-fritted or back-painted heat-strengthened glass, or metal panels, with insulation and a fire-stop behind.; Curtain wall Heat-strengthened glass ACP cladding (aluminium composite panel)
ACP cladding (aluminium composite panel)تكسية ألواح الألمنيوم المركّبة (⁦ACP⁩): Cladding made of two thin aluminium skins bonded to a core, fabricated into rainscreen panels on a subframe. The core may be polyethylene (PE), fire-retardant (FR) mineral-filled or non-combustible (A2); fire codes in the Gulf restrict combustible cores on many building types.; Spandrel panel PVDF / fluorocarbon coating AAMA 2605 Sub-frame
Brise-soleil (sun shading louvres)كاسرات الشمس: Fixed or movable external fins or louvres that shade glazing from direct sun. Placed outside the glass, they block solar heat before it reaches the building and are especially effective on east, west and south elevations in the Gulf.; Solar control glass Curtain wall Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC / g-value)
Skylightسقف زجاجي / منور: A glazed opening or roof in a horizontal or sloping position that brings daylight into the space below. Overhead glazing should use laminated inner glass for safety and solar control glass to limit heat gain, with careful drainage and sealing details.; Laminated glass Solar control glass Sunroom
Sunroomغرفة زجاجية (صن روم): A room enclosed mostly by glazed aluminium walls and often a glazed or insulated roof, built as an extension to a house. In hot climates its comfort depends on solar control glazing, shading, ventilation and thermal-break framing.; Skylight Solar control glass Thermal break
Sub-frameالإطار المساعد (سب فريم): A secondary frame, typically galvanised steel or aluminium, fixed into the wall opening before the window or door is installed. It corrects opening tolerances, allows the finished window to be fitted after wet trades, and provides a straight, square base for anchoring.; Frame Site measurement (survey)Anchors and brackets Installation tolerance
Anchors and bracketsالكوابيل ونقاط التثبيت: The fixings that transfer loads from the window, door or curtain wall into the building structure. Their type, spacing and corrosion protection are defined in the structural calculations and shop drawings, and they must allow for thermal movement and tolerances.; Sub-frame Unitised curtain wall Shop drawings Installation tolerance
Silicone weather sealantسيليكون عزل الطقس: A flexible, UV-resistant sealant applied in the perimeter joint between frame and wall, and in facade joints, to keep out water and air. Neutral-cure silicone is used with aluminium and coated glass, and the joint is sized to accommodate expected movement.; Backer rod Structural silicone Water tightness
Backer rodحشوة الفواصل (باكر رود): A compressible foam rod inserted into a joint before sealant is applied. It controls the depth of the sealant bead and prevents adhesion to the back of the joint, so the sealant can stretch and compress as designed.; Silicone weather sealant Installation tolerance
EPDM gasketجوان / مانع تسرّب ⁦EPDM⁩: A synthetic rubber seal (ethylene propylene diene monomer) used between glass and profile and between sash and frame. EPDM stays elastic over a wide temperature range and resists UV and ozone, making it suitable for hot, sunny climates.; Glazing bead Air tightness (air permeability)Pressure plate and cover cap
Shop drawingsالرسومات التنفيذية: Detailed fabrication and installation drawings prepared by the fabricator and submitted to the consultant for approval. They show elevations, sections, profile and glass specifications, anchoring and interfaces with adjacent works, and form the basis for production.; Site measurement (survey)Anchors and brackets Mock-up and performance test
Site measurement (survey)أخذ المقاسات في الموقع: Measuring the actual built openings on site before production, checking width, height, diagonals, level and plumb. Fabricating to verified site dimensions rather than design drawings avoids gaps, forced fitting and rework.; Shop drawings Sub-frame Installation tolerance
Installation toleranceالتفاوت المسموح في التركيب: The permitted deviation of openings, frames and installed elements from their nominal size, level and alignment. Perimeter joints must be wide enough to absorb construction tolerances as well as thermal and structural movement.; Site measurement (survey)Sub-frame Backer rod
Mock-up and performance testالنموذج التجريبي واختبار الأداء: A full-size sample of a window or facade section built before mass production to approve appearance and details. On larger projects it may be tested in a laboratory for air, water and wind performance, or water-tested on site.; Shop drawings Water tightness Curtain wall
Snaggingحصر الملاحظات النهائية (السناغ): The inspection near completion in which defects such as scratches, misaligned sashes, missing seals or poor sealant joints are recorded in a snag list. The installer corrects each item before handover and the start of the defects liability period.; Site measurement (survey)Silicone weather sealant Mock-up and performance test