EcoArkitekt

The choice of frame and the type of glass for the fenestration is predominant in the thermal performance of the building.

In choosing the frame it is necessary to take into account the ability of acoustic and thermal insulation.

The figures are equivalent to a simple double glass frame taken from LNEC tables (1). The horizontal lines represent the coefficients RCCTE reference for climatic zones.

(1) Thermal transmission coefficients of elements of the building envelope, Santos, Pina and Matthias Ludwig, National Civil Engineering Laboratory, 2006

The PVC frame and wood has a better performance than the aluminum frame with and without thermal cut.

Among the solutions of aluminum sash has better thermal performance and fixed the sashing on Rotary sliding sash.

PVC is the material that gives the best sound insulation indexes.

Wood and aluminum have similar indices of sound insulation.

Wood is a material that is more environmentally friendly, durable (with a lifetime of about 40 years) and quite resistant, If the source is from certified forests, and if you receive appropriate treatment need not even in this case of any maintenance.

Aluminum is a material very resistant and durable finish anodized preference, However has a great embodied energy and has a major impact on global warming.

PVC is a material very resistant, moderately durable (with a lifetime of about 25 years), recyclable, However the white PVC tends to show discoloration to aging and is a derivative of petrochemical industry.

The caixilharias with air blade 16 mm have a better thermal performance that caixilharias with air blade 6 mm.

The caixilharias with low air permeability has a better thermal performance than with high permeability, However the glass go shall enable the air renewal.

Air renewal of caixilharias contributes to the natural ventilation and prevents the production of condensation inside. These air changes imply loss of energy so it is necessary to create a balance between them.

On the market there are ventilation grills wood frames applicable, PVC or aluminum that allow ventilation with the window closed.

Openings in manually enabling frames are regulated rate increase within natural ventilation and removal of water vapor, both summer and winter games.

The orientation of the fenestration determines the choice of type of glass. The glazed North-oriented should avoid heat loss to the outside and exposed to the South should reduce the input of solar radiation.

The Foreing bass glass (low and) or also called reinforced thermal insulation glass is a glass that allows optimum thermal insulation to reduce heat losses. This glass can have a high or low solar factor. The glass solar factor must be taken into consideration with the thermal transmission coefficient of the glass. Glasses with low solar factor in addition to thermal insulation in winter provides a good protection against heat, being ideal for use on glass wall with direct sun exposure without sunscreen. Glasses with high solar factor provide the input of heat from the Sun and natural light and also allow for optimum thermal insulation, ideal when the goal is being able to maximize the solar light and exchanges.

The double glazing can integrate within a blade of dry air or a gas-insulated (argón for example) increasing your luminous and thermal performance, However it is a more expensive solution.