Abstract: An improved method of installing a storm window in a prime window includes application of locking clips at predetermined locations around the frame of the prime window. The storm window is positioned over the prime window and swung into place, whereupon the storm window frame snaps and is locked into place by the clips. Bulb seals around the storm window frame compress between the storm window frame and the frame of the prime window to insure a complete and reliable seal against the elements and maximize sound abatement.

Abstract: A door has a frame forming an opening of the door, a window unit rotatably attached to the frame for positioning in the opening of the frame, a retainer moveably mounted on the frame, and an operator for operating the retainer. The retainer is moveable from a released position wherein the retainer is disengaged from the window unit, to a retaining position, wherein the retainer engages the window unit to hold the window unit in the opening.

Abstract: PLA-containing materials, and building components containing such materials, include: polylactic acid (PLA); one or more inorganic pigments; and one or more stabilizers that includes one or more carbodiimide groups.

Abstract: A modular fenestration system includes a collection of standardized functional units such as double hung window units, casement window units, picture window units, transom units, and the like. The functional units all share common sightlines, common glass set-back, common interfaces, common design language, and are sized according to a unique modular or incremental sizing grid. The sizing grid specifies individual window units in terms of the rough opening size in which they are designed to be installed. Individual functional units are easily combinable in a vast array of combinations to create a large number of possible composite window units. The above attributes of the functional units ensures that the composite window units are architecturally pleasing and appear as though they were custom crafted.

Abstract: A doorway with a sill attachment that increases a sill DP rating includes spaced vertical jambs, a head jamb, and a sill, all of which form a door frame, and a door panel mounted in the frame. The sill is a substantially hollow contain-and-drain type sill with a nosing provided with drainage openings. a substantially hollow sill attachment is mounted to and extends along the nosing and the attachment projects downwardly to a position below the openings in the nosing of the sill. The drainage openings communicate with the interior of the extension. Weep holes that communicate with the environment are located in the sill attachment at a position below the openings in the nosing of the sill. The sill and sill attachment may be formed as a single component, or as separate components assembled either in the factory or the field. The attachment increases a column height of water that can be accommodated by the sill before leakage occurs, and thus enhances the DP rating of the sill.

Abstract: A window, which may be a casement window, includes an opening control mechanism for limiting the amount that the sash of the window can be opened to control ventilation and as a child safety feature. In one configuration, the opening control mechanism includes a frame track and release assembly attached to the window frame and a sash arm assembly including an articulating sash arm attached to the sash of the window. The frame track and release assembly has a track and a roller on one end of the sash arm rides along the track as the window sash begins to open. At the end of the track, the roller engages and is restrained by a release arm or stop thereby preventing the sash from being opened further. A lever or a button operatively coupled to the release arm is disposed inside the dwelling and inside an insect screen of the window. The lever can be slid sideways and then pulled back in two distinct motions to release the roller to allow the sash to be opened beyond its restrained position.

Abstract: Corner joints and methods of forming corner joints are described herein. The corner joints may provide the appearance of a mortise and tenon joint on both the exterior and interior surfaces of the corner joint, but include a mitered connection within the joint. Structures including at least one of the corner joints are also described.

Abstract: A handicap accessible doorway includes a frame having side jambs and a low profile sill extending between the bottom portions of the jambs. A flexible fin extends along the length of the sill and projects upwardly therefrom to form a water dam. The flexible fin is sealingly attached at each end to a jamb. During a blowing rainstorm, water is contained by the dam and directed to a contain-and-drain water management system, which directs the water away from the doorway to an exterior weep hole or other drain port. The fin, being flexible, yields to the weight of a footstep or a wheelchair thereby maintaining the handicap accessible designation of the sill and the doorway.

Abstract: A status monitoring device for a fenestration unit is provided. The device is positioned in or on the fenestration unit and includes a panel position sensor and a lock status sensor. The device is capable of transmitting panel position data and lock status data to a remote device, trigger an audible alarm on the device or the remote device, trigger a visual alarm on the device or the remote device, or a combination of these.

Abstract: A water management system for a double hung window prevents leakage between the lower sash and the frame of the window in a blowing rainstorm. The water management system comprises interior pressure-drop seals disposed between the vertical stiles of the lower sash and the jambs of the window frame and an interior pressure drop seal disposed along an interior edge of the bottom rail of the lower sash and the sill of the frame. Exterior shingling seals are disposed at least between outside edges of the sash and the jamb and the exterior shingling seals and the interior pressure-drop seals at least partially bound vertical channels. A vent communicates between the vertical channels and the outside environment to maintain the pressure in the vertical channels substantially the same as that of the outside environment. This prevents rainwater in a blowing rainstorm from violently breaching the exterior shingling seals and splashing onto the interior pressure-drop seals, which, in turn, prevents leaks into a home.

Abstract: Members including components of windows and doors are formed by a method that includes obtaining a biopolymer and a filler, feeding them into an extruder, controlling at least the temperature of the biopolymer and the filler within the extruder to promote the initiation of nucleation of the biopolymer, extruding the composite through a die of the extruder to form an extruded member and controlling at least the cooling rate of the extruded member after it leaves the die to promote crystallization of the biopolymer. Methods are disclosed for compounding and pelletizing as well as direct extrusion of the composite. In a preferred embodiment, the biopolymer is polylactic acid (PLA) and the filler is wood fiber. In addition, neat PLA formulations are also disclosed. Further, the heat distortion temperature and the hydrolysis resistance of these members are greatly increased through specific processing conditions and the addition of strategic quantities of additives.

Abstract: A structure for joining structural members is disclosed. The structure joins an end of a first member to a side of a second member by a coupling insert. The coupling insert has a web coupling portion that is received by the end of the first member and a tenon portion that is received by a transverse opening in the side of the second member. The web coupling portion and the tenon portion are connected by a base plate.

Abstract: An insect screen of increased invisibility can be created by using small wire diameter elements and/or increasing the mesh density of the screen. The combination of small wire diameter and increased mesh density provide a screen with a higher Dalquist Rating that becomes invisible at closer distances. A “sweet spot” exists at which a screen with a combination high mesh density and small wire diameter is less visible, while still providing the strength, durability, and quality desired. Further, screens with properties in proximity to this sweet spot also provide a marked increase in invisibility.

Abstract: A doorway with anti-bubbling sill drain includes spaced vertical side jambs, a head jamb, and a substantially hollow contain-and-drain sill, all of which form a frame. The sill has an outside nosing provided with weep holes and weep doors and a threshold portion that directly underlies a closed door mounted in the frame. A drain insert is mounted within an oblong hole in the threshold portion of the sill for allowing water collected on the threshold portion to drain into the sill and for allowing air within the sill to vent. The drain insert has a top cover, from the end portions of which a pair of drains depend. The tops of the drains are spaced from the underside of the top cover to form drain entrances. An open vent space is formed between the two drains and terminates at its upper extent in drain holes formed through the top cover. When installed, the drains extend down into the interior of the sill with the drain entrances being flush with the floor of the threshold portion.

Abstract: A status monitoring device for a fenestration unit is provided. The device is positioned in or on the fenestration unit and includes a panel position sensor and a lock status sensor. The device is capable of transmitting panel position data and lock status data to a remote device, trigger an audible alarm on the device or the remote device, trigger a visual alarm on the device or the remote device, or a combination of these.

Abstract: A reach out lock for a sliding door includes a keeper having a keeper latch and a locking mechanism having a hook to engage the keeper latch. The reach out lock further includes a mechanism which prevents actuation of the locking mechanism if the locking mechanism is out of alignment with the keeper.

Abstract: A window unit includes a window frame defining a frame perimeter and a window located within the frame perimeter. The window includes a display surface adapted to receive a display image. A display image source is disposed in the window frame and a speaker element is disposed in the window. The window can transform from a first transparent state to a second increased opacity state for receiving the display image on the display surface.

Abstract: A multi-paned fenestration unit in which the glass panes are manufactured directly into the support structure without first manufacturing an insulated glass unit. The support structure is designed to provide the structural support for the glass panes without a separate spacer.