Windows are key to any building or home, offering a view of our outdoor environment which is necessary for our wellbeing.
The window is a rather vast topic, but your choice will be directed by the type of project you’re working on. Read this guide to help you narrow down your search.
The project, whether a house or commercial building, will point you toward the right path of choosing the ideal window so we will first discuss these two situations with their respective regulations. We will then discuss the “why” behind the different glazing options and define the various opening systems.The frame is equally important so we will highlight the most common materials used. There are also a number of technical characteristics to consider, along with other traits.
Fixed Window by Aliplast
When choosing a window for residential and commercial buildings, the main concern is achieving a regulations compliance certificate. This will probably involve glazing and height requirements; for example, generally an opening window is required to be less than 24 inches (610 mm) above the finished floor. You will need to get a certificate to prove that you have complied with the regulations. Here are some points to consider:
Commercial buildings: The owner of the property or land is usually responsible for complying with the relevant planning rules and building regulations.
Triple-glazed window by CIPRIANI SERRAMENTI
Glazing requirements will alter depending on your project and location. When you know the regulations, you will choose between four types: single glazed, double glazed, triple glazed and quadruple glazed. We mentioned the U value requirement earlier. A low U value means the window achieves an efficient temperature retention; the lower, the better. In a cold climate, a good U value for a window is between 0.17 and 0.39. U Values are measured in W/m2K.
Single glazing uses a single pane of glass. While economical, it is not the most efficient. The U value runs anywhere from 1.9 to 5.8
Double-glazed Window by Aperture Trading
Double-glazing has an inner and outer pane of glass separated by a small gap. The gap between the inner and outer panes provides insulation. It helps the building retain heat, lowering the energy bill. New double glazing has a U-value of around 1.6.
Fixed triple-glazed Window by LUMI
Triple-glazing has 3 panes of glass in order to increase efficiency and reduce noise. New triple glazing reaches a U value of about 0.8, meaning it has a higher heat retention and is more economical than double glazed.
Fixed quadruple-glazed Window by CIPRIANI SERRAMENTI
Quadruple-glazing comprises four glass panes, often equipped with a low-emissivity coating and insulating gas in the cavities between the panes, all to reduce heat transfer through the glazed surfaces. This is a relatively new type of window used mainly in significantly colder climates. Scottish company Enviro Windows produced a quadruple-glazed window with a U-value of 0.35.
Innovations in glass making have altered the window world. Companies like Innovative Glass fabricate glass that can be see-through one moment, then completely opaque on demand with what they call eGlass®. It can tint on demand and control natural light without additional treatments. The ability to alter between tinted and transparent allows the glass to regulate the temperature within a room. This is a solar control solution, providing a higher level of energy efficiency.
Vacuum glazing allows manufacturers to achieve a low U value, equalling the thermal performance of double glazing while being as thin as a single-glazed pane. One pane of clear float glass is combined with another of low-emissivity glass; they are separated by a micro spacer grid of small pillars each measuring 0.5mm in diameter, set 20mm apart. After welding the edges together, creating a hermetic seal, the air is removed from the center from an extraction point on the window.
Glass options:
Low-emissivity glass (low-E glass): Lets light and heat in but helps prevent heat from escaping
Reflective glass, tinted glass, spectrally selective glass: Reduces the entrance of heat and light when needed
Laminated glass: Absorbs ultraviolet light and heat, reduces noise
Toughened glass: Stronger than standard glass, withstands impacts, shatters into small pieces if broken to avoid causing injury
Casement Window by ALIPLAST
There are a number of opening systems for windows, but the seven most common are casement, sliding, tilting, sash, tilt-and-turn, fixed and pivoting. Other available options include lift-and-slide, louvre, top-hung and folding.
Casement: This is set on a vertical hinge and opens like a door.
Sliding: This window opens by sliding horizontally.
Tilting: Usually, the sash tilts inwards at the top
Sash: This has one or two sashes that open by being slid vertically.
Tilt-and-turn: This can open fully like a casement window (like a door) or it can tilt inward to where the top of the window is angled into the room.
Fixed: This cannot be opened. It allows light to enter, nothing more.
Pivoting: This pivots either horizontally or vertically.
Wood sliding Window by CAST
The three most common materials for window frames and mullions are metal, wood and PVC. Some windows have a vertical element to divide the glazing into units, often for decorative purposes and always for additional structural support; this is called a mullion. A muntin or sash bar separates and holds panes of glass in a window; they’re usually wood or metal strips. In the UK, they’re referred to as muntin bars or glazing bars.
The technical characteristics you will want to consider are the following: thermal break, acoustic, security, burglar-proof, electric, water-repellent, wind-proof, integrated blinds, recyclable, armored, bullet-proof, high-performance and high-resistance. Many of these will depend on the type of glazing you choose, including the type of glass used for the glazing and additional technologies incorporated into the process, as well as the frame.
Although we have already mentioned this point, we’d like to insist upon the importance of energy saving. You might consider a window that has received the FSC ecolabel.
Other characteristics include custom, energy star, curved, bullseye, bow, interior, stained glass, polygonal etc.
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