Back bead Back bead is sealant that is applied on both sides when glazing an insulated glass unit into a sash or frame.
	Backbedding This is a material or compound used to seal the glass to a window sash.
	Backer rod (or tape) Used in weatherseal joints, this foam rod allows a sealant to be installed and tooled to a proper joint profile.
	Backset This is the distance from the edge of a door to the center of the hole where the handle set or lock is inserted.
	Backwrap Backwrap is a dual-sided, self-adhered flashing tape that provides a reliable moisture seal to integrate brickmould, non-integral flanged, and non-flanged windows and doors with the building envelope.
	Balance System The system in the side jambs of a single or double-hung window that controls the tension and balance for smooth operation of the sash.
	Ball bearing hinge A commercial hinge option, used in applications where a door will get more than residential-type usage. Suggested for entry application and frequent-use areas, it reduces the rubbing friction of the hinge flange.
	Bar Hinge Hardware that connects the bottom and top rails of a casement or awning sash to the window frame and slides back and forth allowing the sash to open and close; bar hinges are composed of the hinge track and the bar assembly.
	Baroque glass This glass features textural swirls and ridges. It provides a distorted view.
	Basement window This is a sash unit, usually in-swinging from the top or bottom. Typically used to provide ventilation for basements or cellars, usually consists of one, two or three glass lites, and may include screens or storm panels. Also known as a hopper.
	Bay Window A bay window is made up of three or more windows. The side or flanker units project out from the building in 30, 45, or 90 degree angles. The center is parallel with the building wall and is made up of one or more windows. All the units can be stationary, operating, or any combination of the two. Typically, the center section is stationary, while the side units are operating.
	Bead A semicircular or rounded trim profile; often used to cover the edge of the glass in a window or door.
	Bi-parting door A bi-parting door opens and closes by sliding along a track.
	Bifold Door A segmented, hinged door that folds and slides on a head track to the side when opened. This door was first used during the 19th century and is now usually used for closet doors.
	Bipassing window See sliding window.
	Blind stop A blind stop is a rectangular moulding that fits on the exterior of a double-hung side jamb designed to hold the sash in place.
	Block and tackle system This pulley system is used to raise or shift a window sash.
	Block frame A ripped fin product used in replacement window applications, this frame has the same inside and outside dimensions. It’s also known as a masonry frame.
	Bond breaker This is a release type of material (such as polyethylene film sheet with adhesive on one side) used to prevent adhesion of the sealant to the backup material or back of the joint. Used in expansion joints or splice joints.
	Book code See call size.
	Bookmatched veneer Sheets of veneer that are stacked alternating face up and face down are known as bookmatched veneer.
	Boot-Glaze The method by which glass is set and sealed into a sash or window opening with a rubber-like beige or gray gasket (“boot”).
	Bottom Rail A horizontal rail at the bottom of a sash, door, blind or other panel assembly.
	Bottom slider A vinyl horizontal sliding window mulled underneath a vinyl fixed window, making a three-lite window. Also referred to as an XOU. Bottom sliders are also known as top sliders when a vinyl horizontal slider is mulled over a fixed vinyl window.
	Bow Window A series of four or more adjoining window units, commonly five in number, projecting 10°-20° from the wall of the building, forming a radius.
	Box bay See bay window.
	Box spacer This four-sided spacer is used to separate two panes of glass.
	Breather tube See capillary tube.
	Brickmould A form of exterior casing for windows and doors that serves as an aesthetic boundary between the siding and the frame.
	Brickmould dimension This refers to a dimension used in replacement applications.
	Buck dimension See buck opening.
	Buck opening The is the opening in a wall formed by the rough framing members.
	Building Environment and Thermal Envelope Council (BETEC) Part of the National Institute of Building Sciences, this organization represents government and industry in communicating government policy and influencing standards development within the industry.
	Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) This is one of the three model code groups in the U.S. that has now merged into the International Code Council.
	Bulb seal weatherstrip This type of weatherseal has a rounded, closed profile.
	Bullnose casing The leading edge in this type of trim has a semicircular pattern.
	Butt Hinge A typical door hinge. One hinge plate is fastened to the door frame and the other is fastened to the panel.
	Butt Joint The joint of two square edges united without overlapping.
	Butyl This synthetic rubber is prepared by co-polymerization of isobutylene with a small amount of isoprene (both ingredients are gaseous hydrocarbons.) It can be used as a sealant or architectural glazing type.
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