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 the summer and reflects radiant heat indoors during the 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; these include Aluminium frames, Timber frames, Aluclad frames, and a PVC frame.
Another technique is double glazing; some windows have two layers of glass with a space between them, designed to reduce heat loss and exclude 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, so your home can stay at a comfortable temperature throughout the year when using timber framing.
In addition, timber creates a beautiful finishing look that provides a feeling of luxury, comfort and performance. The large Binq double glazed windows flood the space with light in this home, designed by Advantage Design Draft.
Aluclad Frame
An Aluclad frame is a solid timber frame with aluminium on the outside. This technique offers optimum thermal efficiency while delivering a beautiful and cosy look.
PVC Frame
uPVC, also known as unplasticized polyvinyl chloride or just vinyl, is a tough, synthetic and recyclable material that is easy to work. It offers optimum thermal efficiency and can create custom sizes and shape features more simply. Moreover, it provides excellent long-term durability and low maintenance requirements for homeowners.
Double Glazing And Its Benefits
Double glazing has many benefits, there include:
Warmer in the winter – Double glazing is great for insulation; it can also help capture natural heat and store it in the winter. This is an excellent way of keeping your home insulated in the winter months.
Energy cost savings – Less energy is used to heat or cool a room when double glazed windows are installed; this results in lower energy bills and money being saved. In addition, adding more layers of glazing will increase the insulation levels and save more money.
Cooler in the summer – Double glazed windows can trap some of the rays coming through the windows on a hot summer’s day, causing your room to be cooler. This means less air-conditioning is required.
Safety – With more units being on double glazed windows, the safety of your home increases. They are harder to break and are sealed tighter than other windows.
Less condensation – Double glazed windows reduce the amount of moisture on your windowpanes, as the airtight seal prevents the condensation from building up. Other windows often allow condensation to build up, which causes windowpanes to have mould in.
Less noise – With more units comes less noise and a quieter home. If you live by busy roads or in a generally noisy area, then double glazed windows are crucial to you
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!
