Window Lexicon | Direct Development Malta

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Argon

The cavity between the glazing panes is filled with argon, a noble gas, in order to improve the thermal insulation properties of windows and doors. Argon gas has a greater insulating effect as it does not conduct warmth as well as air.

Blind

Blinds are a form of visual or solar protection fitted to or in the window. They consist of horizontally arranged slats that can be adjusted to vary the incidence and diffusion of light. The slats can be raised or lowered to form a single bundle. Blinds are installed between the panes of...

CEKAL quality mark

The CEKAL mark stands for high product quality: it is a guarantee that the highest product requirements are met. The voluntary CEKAL certification for laminated insulation glazing places strict quality demands upon individual components. This ensures that not only the final products, but also...

Central seal

The central seal is concealed in the central area of the window frame and is thus protected against wind and weather. It ensures the air- and watertightness of the window.

Composite sash

Composite windows consist of two individual window sashes – an interior and an outer sash – that are mechanically joined together. The two window sashes can be opened for cleaning. They have excellent heat and sound insulation properties. A blind, protected from the weather, can also...

Composite window

DB malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

DB

dB is the abbreviation for decibel, a unit of sound volume. This value indicates the sound insulation level of a window. The higher the dB value, the better the sound insulating properties of the window. Note that the decibel value uses a logarithmic scale, so a change of 10 dB thus means a...

ESG malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

ESG

ESG - toughened safety glass - is a thermally pre-stressed glass that can tolerate more mechanical and thermal stress than normal glass. It is called safety glass because, when it breaks, no sharp splinters are produced but rather small, blunt-edged glass fragments that substantially reduce the...

Fitting

Fittings refer to all the metallic and non-metallic parts that permit the opening and closing of windows and doors. They include hinges, locks, bolts, panels and drive units.

Fitting variants

Depending upon the desired use, windows and doors can be configured with different opening variants.

Fluted

Filling with vertical, horizontal or crosswise grooves for aesthetic reasons for a front door or window door.

G-value

The thermal transmittance coefficient – the g-value – indicates how much of the energy impacting upon the glass from the outside reaches the inside through the glass. The higher this value, the more sunlight penetrates the interior via the glazing as warmth. A high g-value means...

Hinge

Hinges are the mobile metal parts that connect windows and doors to the frame and permit the rotation of the windows or door. Concealed hinges cannot be seen when the windows are closed, thus improving the appearance of the window element.

IFT malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

IFT

The Institute for Window Technology Rosenheim (ift) is internationally renowned as a leading test, research and certification authority for windows and façades. Its aim is sustainable improvement in product quality, technique and usability. The ift is also active in standardisation,...

Ift-certified installation

As the leading Italian window construction company, Finstral has now received comprehensive certification for the installation of windows, doors and window walls from the Institute for Window Technology Rosenheim (ift), the Europe-wide testing and certification institute. This certification...

Joint

Joints refer to the connection, in technical construction and assembly terms, of a window or a door with the surrounding wall and floor.

KAB malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

KAB

We use the KAB suffix to designate all of our PVC windows and doors that are fitted with external aluminium cladding. The window benefits from the cladding in a number of ways, such as very high durability, a large selection of colours and ease of maintenance.

KAB-C

We use the KAB suffix to designate all of our PVC windows and doors that are fitted with external aluminium cladding. The C ending indicates the classic bevelled appearance of the cladding. The window benefits from the cladding in a number of ways, such as very high durability, a large selection...

KAB-N

We use the KAB suffix to designate all of our PVC windows and doors that are fitted with external aluminium cladding. The N ending indicates the angular design of the cladding. The window benefits from the cladding in a number of ways, such as very high durability, a large selection of colours...

LT value

The degree of light transmittance – the LT value – indicates the proportion of daylight penetrating into the room through the glass. The LT value provides an index for the brightness of the glass. The higher the LT value, the more brightly the rooms are illuminated.

Mounting frame

The mounting frame is a PVC frame fastened into the window reveal during structural works. This permits all other works to be completed. The window or door is finally fitted into the frame during mounting. This method of mounting has the advantage that the windows and doors will not be damaged...

Pleat

Pleats or folding blinds are a form of visual or solar protection fitted to or in the window. The pleat consists of pre-folded material that is raised or lowered to form a package, rather like an accordion. Pleated blinds are installed between the panes of composite windows.

RW malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

RW

The RW value gives the sound insulation properties of a window. RW indicates the degree to which the transmission of sound is reduced by the window. The higher the value, the greater the reduction in sound and thus less sound penetrates the room. The RWvalue is given in dB (decibel)....

Roller bolt

Roller bolts are rotating locking pieces that press the sash against the window frame and ensures the window is airtight. As the bolt can rotate around its own axis when entering the locking part, the window can be lastingly locked shut more easily.

Sash

Mobile, opening part of a window consisting of the sash frame and the glazing.

Sash frame

Windows consist of a window frame and a sash frame. The sash frame is the moving part of the window that can be opened by turning, tilting, sliding or folding.

Sash lifter

The sash lifter is a special fitting that is attached under the window sash on the handle side. It automatically raises the sash somewhat from its lowered position when closing the window, thus enabling continuous easy operation.

Sash outline

This describes the design of the sash frame. The sash outline gives a window its overall aesthetic impression. The trend is increasingly for slender, modest outlines that almost hide the window frame.

Sash variant

The opening part of a window – the sash – is available in several design variants. This ensures the window is optimally adapted to structural conditions and individual wishes.

Spacer

Depending on the glazing structure, the spacer joins two or three single panes into one insulation glass unit. Its function is to seal the cavity between the panes towards the outside. Heat-optimised spacers improve the thermal insulation properties of the window.

Tilt-and-turn fitting

The tilt-and-turn fitting combines the functions of the tilting and turning fittings. The window sash can thus both be turned and put in the tilt position.

Tilt-and-turn opening

The tilt-and-turn opening of a window or a window door indicates a combination of tilting and turning opening. The window or door sash can be put in both the turning and the tilting position.

Trace marks

Trace marks develop during the production of PVC window profiles. This irregularity, caused by the production technique, is particularly visible on smooth surfaces. These traces do not appear on our embossed and satin-finished window profiles.

Two-point security lock

Our two-point fitting is fitted with two security locks. The locking points are on the handle side, in the upper and lower corner areas of the window sash. They make it more difficult to prise out the window sash and significantly increase protection against break-ins.

UW malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

UW

This is the heat transmittance coefficient of the window element. The value indicates the amount of heat transferred in one hour through one square metre of a component at a temperature difference of one Kelvin (equivalent to 1°C). The lower the heat transmittance coefficient, the less...

Uf malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

Uf

The thermal insulation value of the window frame. The “f “here stands for frame. The lower the Uf value, the better the heat insulation properties of the frame. The unit is [W/m²K].

Ug malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

Ug

The heat transmittance coefficient – the Ug value – gives the energy loss in watts per square metre of glass at a temperature difference of 1K between the inside and outside. The lower the Ug value, the better the heat insulation properties of the glass. The unit is...

VSG malta, Direct Developments Ltd Malta malta

VSG

VSG – laminated safety glass – refers to two glass panes that are bonded together by a highly tear-resistant foil. The foil helps prevent the individual panes from splintering should the glass break.

Weatherboard

Weatherboards prevent rainwater from penetrating the lower frame area of windows and doors. Weatherboards usually consist of a slightly sloping plate from which the rainwater can flow off.

Window frame

The window frame is the outside frame of a window element. It is firmly affixed to the external wall. This frame contains the opening sash frame.