GLOSSARY-P

Palladian window

A large, arch-top window flanked by smaller windows on each side.

Pane

A sheet of glass for glazing a window. After installation, the pane is referred to as a 'light' (lite) or 'window light'.

Panel

An assembly of stiles and rails made into a frame for holding glass. Used when referring to a movable portion of a door.

Patterned glass

One or both surfaces of glass with a rolled design; used for privacy and light diffusion.

Percentage humidity

Weight of water vapor in air divided by weight of vapor contained in saturated air, expressed as a percentage.

Picture frame casing

The use of casing on all four sides of the interior of a window, replacing the stool and apron at the sill. Also known as full-bound casing.

Picture window

Large fixed windows; introduced in the 1940s.

Pitch

The pitch of a roof is the degree of the inclination upward from horizontal or flat. It may be expressed in degrees or as the ratio of the number of inches it rises in each 12 inches of horizontal span: 4/12 means the roof rises four inches in every foot of horizontal span.

Pivot

A mode of operation for ventilating windows which generally means the sash pivots on a central axis and turns 90 or more degrees.

Pocket sliding door

A door which slides horizontally into a wall pocket or slot recessed into the wall of a structure imparts additional space to a room compared to the conventionally-hinged door since no swing space is required.

Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB)

Resin or polymer interlayer that bonds together two or more lites of glass to create a single, solid construction.

Polyvinylchloride

See: PVC.

Powder coating

A type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a liquid suspension form. The coating is typically applied electro-statically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin." The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermo-set polymer. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. Powder coating is mainly used for coating of metals, such as "white-ware", aluminum extrusions, and automobile or bicycle parts. Newer technologies allow other materials, such as MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), to be powder coated using different methods.

Pre-hung door

A door already mounted to the jambs, eliminating the steps of fitting the hinges and squaring door.

Prep

Used in reference to: 1. holes that get bored or punched on a French door. 2. Retrofit - Window or door replacement, change out or remodel.

Projected window

An awning-type window that swings either inwards or outwards at the top or the bottom.

PVC (Polyvinylchloride)

An extruded or molded plastic material used for window and door framing and as a thermal barrier for aluminum windows and doors.