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ENERGY EFFICIENT TIMBER WINDOWS August 24, 2009
A Key Part of a Sustainable Build
Jewson can supply a vast range of energy efficient windows from JELD-WEN. When specifying windows for a project, there are certain things you should know relating to energy efficiency. Our branch staff will be happy to advise you on which windows can help to achieve a lower U value for the building.
With the window industry working on developing a common standard, Ian Purkis, Technical Director for JELD-WEN, looks at what architects need to be aware of when specifying energy efficient windows.
"Windows play a significant part in controlling the internal environment of a building. With the increasingly stringent Building Regulations requirements and the need to meet the standards for improved energy efficiency as set out in the Code for Sustainable Homes, it has never been so important that windows deliver the correct U values.
A good starting point is to look at how U values are calculated. In simple terms, a U value represents the heat transmitted through a window or door. Primarily, it measures how well a product prevents heat escaping - from inside to outside, therefore the lower the U value, the better the performance of the window.
Glass units make up the major part of any window, covering over 75 per cent of the overall area. Low-E glass is standard on all our factory glazed windows and doors. It works by decreasing the U value, which in turn reduces the thermal transmittance losses.
U values, which are measured in W/m2K (Watts per metre squared Kelvin), are only truly accurate when measured for the whole window, rather than just the individual glass pane. The reason for this is that the U value of the glass alone will normally be lower than that of the whole window, whereas it is the overall performance that you need to know as this is the true indicator of how effective the window is at controlling temperature loss and gain from inside to out and vice versa. It is possible to use either double glazed or triple glazed units to achieve a better U value for a window.
What specifiers need to ascertain is whether they are being supplied a window that meets a certain U value for the centre pain or for the whole of the window. As a centre pane U value will often be much lower than the whole product figure, it therefore does not give an accurate reflection of the true performance.
Achieving better temperature control throughout both summer and winter is a vital function of our energy rated timber windows. Temperature is controlled because of advances in glazing efficiency due to innovation in the development of Low-E glass. Its thin metallic coating to the internal surface of the glass, within the airspace, keeps the heat from radiators during winter inside the room, whilst reflecting solar radiation back to the outside during hot summer days, which keeps the room cooler.
Fitting energy efficient windows goes a long way towards helping building owners and occupiers to reduce their energy usage, save on fuel bills and do their bit for the environment. Never before has specifying the right windows been so important in reducing whole building running costs."
To enquire about energy efficient windows available from Jewson contact your local branch - you can find your nearest branch using the Branch Locator.
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