ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS

FEATURES FRAMES

Improving the energy efficiency of a community of owners required to provide the building envelope thermal insulation that minimizes energy losses without forgetting that part of the casing is composed of a solid part, the blind panels (opaque) and openings, ie holes or openings in the facing that allow ventilation and light and air (windows, balconies) into a room and their characteristics that require special and different treatment of the blind panels.

Improving the energy efficiency of windows or other openings in the facing requires consideration separately each of the component parts, but in this article we will just present different alternatives to improve energy efficiency frameworks the Windows.

The frame usually represents from 25 to 35 hollow surface.

The degree of thermal insulation frames depends on its absorptivity and thermal transmittance, both influence, depending on the percentage of area occupied by the frame, in hollow total transmittance and solar factor modified. Thus, we can establish a classification of frames, depending on the material they are made of: Wooden frames, metal frames, metal frames with thermal break and PVC frames.

Metal frames: They are usually made of aluminum or steel, are presented in different finishes: lacquered, laminated, faux wood . . . and multiple opening and closing systems. With a low turnout in the surface of the recess (25), usually they have a thermal transmittance value of approximately 5.7 W Aislamiento TÃ©rmico m2 K. Its main drawback is the poor thermal insulation they provide and its main advantages: ease of installation, high resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion and its low coefficient of expansion. High thermal conduction may cause condensation.

Metal frames with thermal bridge break (MRPT): Improves thermal efficiency of windows by the introduction of insulating elements that separate the inner and outer part of the woodwork. Depending on the thickness of these elements, the thermal transmittance value between U = 4.0 W Aislamiento TÃ©rmico m2K and U = 3.20 W Aislamiento TÃ©rmico m2K.

Wood Frame: solid wood frames are the most natural and organic, so bring many benefits to both the environment and human health. By its nature alveolar have excellent performance as thermal insulation and low thermal transmittance value (between U = 2.2 W Aislamiento TÃ©rmico m2K and U = 2.0 W Aislamiento TÃ©rmico m2K), but have the disadvantage of requiring periodic maintenance that will depend on the type of wood and degrading agents that can act on it.

PVC: The main characteristics of PVC frames are its high insulating capacity, hardness and resistance to biotic agents, water impermeability and good soundproofing capacity. Compounds normally hollow profiles of PVC, have values between thermal transmittance U = 2.2 W Aislamiento TÃ©rmico m2K and U = 1.8 W Aislamiento TÃ©rmico m2K, so its performance as thermal insulation are excellent but has as disadvantages the limit circulation of atmospheric moisture, and relative ease to deform under the effect of extreme temperatures.