Details
 

Researcher:	Zhihong Liao
Funded:	DTI PII programme/industry
Value to CWCT:	£120,000
Lead partner:	Glass and Glazing Federation
Partners:	National Physical Laboratory  Azon  Bostik Findley  British Wood Federation  British Plastics Federation Windows Group  Chemetall  Council for Aluminium in Building  Glass and ‘Warm Edge’ product suppliers  Interpane  Pilkington   Steel Window Association  Tremco
Status:	Completed 2004

Introduction:

The overall objective is to make building more energy efficient, by improving the performance of windows for new construction and refurbishment. This will reduce the demand of energy production and reduce pollution by greenhouse gases. The proposed revisions of the Energy Efficiency provision of Building Regulations now focus upon overall window energy loss, rather on a combination of centre of glass and frame loss. The proposed overall U-value levels are significantly more demanding, presenting a challenge to better thermal performance of windows.

Better thermal performance of windows can be achieved by better employing recent developments in glass and glazing technologies, including Low E coating, inert gas filling, and warm edge glazing. The simulations carried by CWCT will demonstrate the comparative performance of emerging technology with established methods of manufacture and glazing.

This project will establish an authoritative database of information for comparing current technology on the thermal performance of windows. It maybe used for guidance by legislators, specifiers, builders, and window manufacturers. The database may also be used for the assessment of evolving technology for windows and glazing. The information will also be dovetailed into other DETR activities, including the introduction of European Standards, the review of Building Regulation and Eurocodes, together with the development of ‘robust Standards’ to support the requirements

Outputs: