Windows are the most significant source of heat loss and gain in all buildings.
High-performance windows and doors are designed to keep homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This advanced technology blocks up to 70% or more of the solar heat gain in summer and reflects radiant heat indoors during winter. Energy-efficient windows make your home more comfortable, dramatically reduce your energy costs and help to create a brighter, cleaner and healthier environment.
There are a few different types of high-performance windows and doors, including aluminium frames, timber frames, Aluclad frames, and PVC frames.
Another technique to improve window performance is double glazing. Double glazing refers to sealed windows constructed of two panes of glass, instead of one. The gap between the windowpanes is usually filled with an insulating gas, such as argon, to reduce heat and noise.
Aluminium Frame
The high-performance aluminium window is a frame with a polyamide bar between the inside and outside aluminium profiles, creating an insulated barrier within the window frame.
Timber Frame
Timber provides optimum thermal efficiency, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature throughout the year.
In addition, timber lends an elegant finish to a room, creating a sense of warmth and natural beauty. In this home, designed by Advantage Design Draft (pictured below), timber-framed, double-glazed windows from Binq add a soft, organic element to the minimalist space.
AluClad Frame
An AluClad frame is a solid timber frame with an external aluminium layer to protect the wood. This technique offers optimum thermal efficiency with minimal maintenance, while preserving the natural beauty of timber inside the home.
PVC Frame
uPVC, also known as unplasticised polyvinyl chloride or just vinyl, is a tough, synthetic and recyclable material that is easy to work. It offers optimum thermal efficiency and is easily customised to suit varying window sizes and shapes. Moreover, it provides excellent long-term durability with minimal maintenance requirements.
Double Glazing and Its Benefits
Double glazing has many benefits, including:
Warmer in winter – Double glazing provides excellent insulation, reducing heat loss through windows and helping to keep your home warmer on cold days.
Cooler in summer – Double-glazed windows reduce air conditioning requirements by limiting the amount of heat that can radiate through the windows, leading to cooler temperatures indoors.
Energy cost savings – Heating and cooling needs are significantly less with double-glazed windows, resulting in lower energy costs. An additional layer of glazing will provide greater insulation and save you even more money.
Safety – Double-glazed windows are harder to break and have a tighter seal than other windows, improving the safety of your home.
Less condensation – Double-glazed windows reduce the amount of moisture on your windowpanes, as the airtight seal prevents condensation from accumulating. In cold weather, condensation tends to form on single-pane windows, creating the perfect conditions for mould infestation.
Noise insulation – The more double-glazed windows in your home, the quieter it will be. If you live on a busy road or in a noisy neighbourhood, double-glazed windows can significantly improve your quality of life.
Double Glazing and the K&C Manly Heritage Project
Archisoul’s K&C House in Manly used double glazing in its Vitrocsa windows and glass sliding doors. See the project here.
If you would like to know more about high-performance windows and doors, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are experts in the sustainability field and love to answer your questions, especially our very own, Certified Passive House Designer and Consultant, Carole Haurd!
