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Extrusion

Also called profile

A length of frame material made by pushing it through a shaped die.

An extrusion is formed by forcing softened material through a die, the way toothpaste leaves a tube. It has the same cross-section along its whole length, and that cross-section can be as intricate as the die: hollows, grooves for gaskets, and legs for a bead to snap onto are all formed at once.

Vinyl and aluminum windows are both made this way. The extrusions are cut to length and joined at the corners to make sashes and frames.

Bottom rail of a thermally broken aluminum sash in section, outside at left

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Aluminum sash, bottom rail in section
Bottom rail of a vinyl sash in section, outside at left

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Vinyl sash, bottom rail in section

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