L

Latch
The latch is the part of the door hardware that moves with the turn of a knob or lever. It slides into the latch plate attached to the door jamb, and holds the door shut or opens it.
Lever
A lever has the same function as a knob, except it is longer and thinner. To open a door, levers are pushed down. Besides the decorative uses of a lever, they are also used in applications where someone is handicapped, and cannot grasp a knob very well.
Light (lite)
A separately framed piece of glass in a window or door. A traditional double-hung window, for instance, often has several lights divided by muntins in each sash. Such windows are described as six-over-six, eight-over-one, twelve-over-twelve, etc., to indicate the number of lights in each sash. Sometimes spelled 'lite.'
Light (lite) Pattern
The arrangement of muntin bars (grids) in a window.

A single or double hung window with one horizontal muntin in each the upper and lower sash would have a light pattern designated as 2/2, which is called "two over two". A similar window with two horizontal muntins and three vertical muntins in the upper sash, and one horizontal muntin and three vertical muntins in the lower sash would be designated 12/8 which is called "twelve over eight". A similar window with no muntins in either sash is a 1/1 called "one over one".

A horizontal sliding window or door with no muntins would be designated 1 x 1, which is called "one by one". Windows or doors with muntins are designated by the number of individual lights in each sash or panel. For instance a window with one vertical muntin and two horizontal muntins in each sash would be designated as 6 x 6 or called "six by six".

A non-operating window (Picture Window) with no muntins is designated as 1 light. A Picture Window with no two vertical and three horizontal muntins would be either a 12 light unit or sometimes a 3 x 4 unit. Windows with diagonal muntins are referred to as "Diamond Light" units. (See Divided Light or Colonial Lite)
Light Shaft
An insulated shaft built to direct the light from a roof window or skylight through the attic to the room below.
Lintel
A structural member, usually a steel angle or channel, designed to support the wall or siding above a window or door.
Lock
The device on a window or door that secures it in a closed position. This can either be a keyed lock, a sliding bolt, a spring-loaded catch or a pivoting part that engages a keeper or strike.
Lock Stile
The vertical rail in a sliding glass door panel containing the lock.
Low-Emissivity (low-E) Glass
Low Emissivity glass with a transparent coating which acts as a thermal mirror -- used to increase a window's insulating value, block or increase heat flow, and reduce fading. See Solar Heat Gain.

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