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Back Bedding
Material or compound used to seal the glass to a window sash. [top]
Back Check
A resistance used to cushion and slow down the opening swing of a door before reaching the closer swing limit. [top]
Back Stop
A back stop is a mechanical feature of a door closer which completely stops the opening swing of a door at a pre-set position. [top]
Backer Rod
A round compressible material, either open or closed cell, placed into voids between materials to insulate and allow a backing for the application of sealant. Backer rod is available in multiple diameters. [top]
Baffle
A material inserted in the weep holes of aluminium storefronts, fixed horizontal ribbon windows, and curtain walls to ensure nothing impedes the flow of water or air out of the framing system through weep holes. [top]
Balance
Mechanical device (normally spring loaded) used in single and double hung windows as a means of counterbalancing the weight of the sash during opening and closing. [top]
Basement
A story of building that is wholly or partially below ground level. [top]
Bay Window
Three or more windows, arranged to project from the building at various angles. [top]
Bead
See Glazing Bead. [top]
Bearing Wall
A bearing wall refers to a wall that supports structural loads in addition to its own weight. (Also, Load Bearing Wall) [top]
BETEC
Building Environment and Thermal Envelope Council.
Part of the National Institute of Building Sciences, an organization representing government and industry, BETEC is involved in communicating government policy and influencing standards development within the industry. [top]
Billet
A cylindrical shaped section of aluminium alloy used as the starting stock in an extrusion. [top]
Bite
Bite refers to the distance by which the leg of the aluminium frame glazing pocket or leg overlaps the glass. [top]
Bituminous Paint
A low cost paint containing asphalt or coal tar used to isolate aluminium from mortar, concrete, or masonry. [top]
BOCA
Building Officials and Code Administrators.
BOCA is one of the three model code groups in the U.S. now merging to form the International Code Council. [top]
Bond
The joining together of building materials to ensure solidity [top]
Bottom Rail
The bottom horizontal member of a window sash or door panel [top]
Bow Window
A composite of four or more window units in a radial or bow formation. [top]
Box Bay
A box bay is a combination of window units which projects to the exterior of the building. Box bays typically features a large center unit with two flanking units perpendicular (at 90° angles) to the wall. [top]
Brakeshape
Aluminium sheet stock bent or 'broken' to desired shape as required by job specific conditions (Typically used for flashing or variable corner post assembly. [top]
Breather Tube
A tube placed through the air-spacer and seal of an insulating glass unit (sealed unit) which allows unit to accommodate changes in pressure between the location of manufacture and the location of installation, where the breather tube is removed, and the sealed unit is completely sealed. Breather tubes are frequently used to accommodate changes in altitude between the plant and job site. [top]
Brick mould
Brick mould is a type of external casing which frames windows and doors. [top]
Bridge
Bridge refers to the aluminium bridge on an extruded profile being used as a thermally broken framing component. It forms (Thermal Cavity). [top]
British Columbia Building Code
The British Columbia Building Code sets out technical provisions for the design and construction of new buildings in British Columbia. [top]
BTU
British Thermal Unit.
A measurement of heat. (The amount of energy required to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit).
A metric equivalent is 1054.35 joules. [top]
Building Envelope
A building envelope is the separation between the interior and the exterior environments of a building. It serves as the outer shell to protect the indoor environment as well as to facilitate its climate control. [top]
Bulk head
An aluminium extrusion places on the head of the rough opening above the deflection channel to allow another trades system to pass through the window wall (i.e. Sprinkler System). [top]
Butyl
A synthetic rubber formed by the co-polymerization of isobutylene with isoprene. It is used as a sealant and as an architectural glazing tape. [top]
Bypass
A type of window wall that bypasses the concrete slab between floors; the exterior side of the frame exceeds the length of the interior side to create an aesthetic impression of uniformity that hides the concrete from the exterior view of the building. [top]
Bypass Duct
A bypass frame that is installed over a bypass slab containing an in-slab duct requires a bypass duct be installed in the frame over the in-slab duct. The bypass duct allows the air to travel freely outside of the building through the vent in the frame. [top]