Some terms you may come across

Published on Saturday, February 19, 2011

Face fitted

• This describes the way a screen is fitted to a window or door. When face fitted the screen fits directly onto the frame i.e. the face of the frame.

Reveal fitted

• A reveal fitted screen fits within the wall reveal/recess. The recess is created by the surrounding walls, top sill and bottom sill.

Framed screen

• A framed screen refers to a screen which is made as a simple frame and generally fitted on to the face of a window or door frame (see face fitted).   

Single sliding screen

• A sliding screen sits in a top and bottom track/channel, sliding across to cover a window opening. This type of screen is face fitted to the window frame or surround. 

Twin Sliding screen

• A twin sliding screen system consists of two screens sitting in a twin track, top and bottom. One screen fits in the front track, the other in the back track, both pass each other and when closed overlap in the middle. Each screen seals against the side of the reveal which means the screen system can be fitted forward of the window frame to avoid obstructions.

Retractable screen

• This screen is also known as a roller screen and works in a similar way to a roller blind. A length of mesh is rolled onto a centre spindle which is then put inside a cassette and tensioned with a spring mechanism. The cassette is fitted either within a reveal or onto the face of the window frame with a channel running down each side. The mesh is pulled from the cassette and runs down the length of the side guides until it reaches the window sill. The bottom bar is then locked onto the side guides using a small locking mechanism. When released, the screen returns to the head cassette, pulled up by the tension of the spring mechanism.

Lift off hinge

• Lift off hinges are used to fit a screen to the face of a window or door. The hinge consists of two parts, one fitted to the screen, the other to the frame. A centre pin holds the hinge together and allows the screen to be lifted free for cleaning or storage. 

Turn button fixing

• This fixing is used to fit a screen to the face of a window or door. The turn button has a circular shaft for a screw to pass through. The screw is screwed into the window or door frame and tightened against the turn button. A small triangular arm extends from the centre of the fixing and slides over the face of the screen to hold it in place. 

Velcro hinge

• A type of fixing using Velcro (hook and loop). The self-adhesive hook fixes to the rear of the screen and the loop to the window frame. By using two short lengths on one side of the screen a basic hinge effect can be created.

Magnetic strip

• A type of fixing using magnetic strips. A  self-adhesive magnetic strip fixes to the rear of the screen, ususlly on the two shortest sides, and a steel strip to the window frame. The two 'click together' to hold the screen in place.

Spline

• A rubber cord (a bit like a thick string) used to hold a mesh in the channel of a screen. The spline is pushed down into the channel with the mesh underneath.

Spline tool

• A tool used to push the spline into place. A spline tool usually has a roller at each end, one with a small 'u' shaped groove to locate the spline and the other with an 'n'  shape to push the spline into the bottom of the channel. The tool rolls along the spline pushing it down as it goes.  

Build off frame

• Also known as a sub frame. This is a frame, fixed directly onto a window/door frame, or in a window/door reveal which is used to mount a framed screen. This is used when obstructions such as handles or catches prevent a screen being fitted directly onto the frame. 

Teleflex

• A window opening system using a hand winder or motorised opening mechanism. These are often used on windows which can not be easily reached.