Although glazing materials are the focus of much of the innovation and improvement in fenestration products, the overall performance of any unit is determined by the complete fenestration product assembly. The assembly includes the operating and fixed parts of the product frame as well as associated hardware and accessories. These are defined and illustrated at the beginning of this section. The next two sections address the different options available for sash operation and new advances in frame materials designed to improve product energy efficiency. Proper installation is an important aspect of their performance as well. The final section of this chapter discusses other installation issues. 2. FENESTRATION PRODUCTS 2.3 Performance Implications of Basic Fenestration Types THERM 2.1 NFRC Simulation Manual JULY 2000 2-3 2.4 Frame Materials 2. FENESTRATION PRODUCTS 2-4 JULY 2000 THERM 2.1 NFRC Simulation Manual 2.5 Basic Glazing Materials 2. FENESTRATION PRODUCTS 2-6 JULY 2000 THERM 2.1 NFRC Simulation Manual 2.4.6. Hybrid and Composite Frames Manufacturers are increasingly turning to hybrid frame designs that use two or more of the frame materials described above to produce a complete fenestration product system. The wood industry has long built vinyland aluminum-clad products to reduce exterior maintenance needs. Vinyl manufacturers and others offer interior wood veneers to produce the finish and appearance that many homeowners desire. Split-sash designs may have an interior wood element bonded to an exterior fiberglass element. 2.5 Basic Glazing Materials Two basic materials are used for fenestration product glazing: glass, which is by far the most common, and plastics, which have many specialized applications. 2.5.1. Glass Traditionally, fenestration products have been made of clear glass. Most residential-grade clear glass today is produced with the float technique in which the glass is "floated" over a bed of molten tin. This provides extremely flat surfaces, uniform thicknesses, and few if any visual distortions. The glass has a slight greenish cast, due to iron impurities, but this is generally not noticeable except from the edge. An even higher-quality glass with reduced iron content eliminates the greenness and also provides a higher solar energy transmittance. This is commonly called "water-white glass." Obscure glasses still transmit most of the light but break up the view in order to provide privacy. This effect is generally achieved either with decorative embossed patterns or with a frosted surface that scatters the light rays. By adding various chemicals to glass as it is made, glass can be produced in a wide variety of colors. Glass colors are typically given trade names, but the most frequently used colors can be generally described as clear, bronze, gray, and blue-green. After clear glass, the gray glasses are most commonly used in residential construction, as they have the least effect on the perceived color of the light. Tinted glass is discussed later in this chapter. 2. FENESTRATION PRODUCTS ...