UPVC WINDOWS ALWAYS ADAPT TO YOUR NEEDS – PART 2

The number of chambers is not only important value to follow

The outer wall of the uPVC profiles is usually 2.8-3 mm thick, with the inner cavity of the profile divided by partitions into several chambers. Usually, more chambers mean better thermal insulation properties. What is more significant than the number of chambers is the coefficient of heat transfer  through the frame - the  lower the coefficient, the lower the heat losses across the profile. On the other hand, fewer chambers mean more space for steel reinforcement, which can then be more massive. The greater the window size, the higher the requirement is for the static load-bearing capacity that the metal reinforcement provides. These design elements determine the maximum size of the windows that can be produced from the profile type.

The uPVC windows are excellently proven both in the construction of new family houses and in the reconstruction of older houses because of their variable capabilities.  The connection between the number of chambers and the massive reinforcement is one of the proofs that uPVC windows cannot be "simplified" according to one factor.

Seal and ventilate

Another example is a paradoxical situation when too much tightness of the installed uPVC windows may cause the need of exchange of air in additional ways. Insufficient ventilation may occur sooner or longer by mold, headaches, etc. Paradoxically, with respect to reducing the heat loss as much as possible, the high quality of the window sealant is required, but in practice we would need a window that it will be able to leak a bit . But even with this problem, manufacturers can help with different levels of so-called micro ventilation.

Please note that there are also very interesting combinations of materials combining the advantages of different materials today. Examples are uPVC windows with aluminum, a combination that guarantees excellent physical properties as well as a high aesthetic level.

Speech of standards

One of the primary requirements for windows is to provide a sufficiently low heat transfer coefficient. For new windows should not exceed the value of U = 1,7 W / m²K. The recommended value is 1.2 W / m²K.

 Heat in winter, cold in the summer

The quality of uPVC windows is not given only by used material and sealing elements, but also by the type and quality of the glazing, which is a very important part of the window frame system. There are many types of insulating glazing that are characterized by different solar and insulation properties. Undisputedly the most important parameter is the heat transfer coefficient. Another important feature is the transmission of thermal solar radiation. The combination of these features has a positive effect on the overall energy balance of the windows in the winter and protects the indoor room from the amount of unwanted solar energy in the summer. This enables, for example, super modern glass manufacturing technology by adding small metal particles. Basically, unwanted radiation is not inward and desirable cannot be out.

Heat insulating properties are also improved by filling the technical gases between glass, the standard is argon, above-standard is krypton which is used mostly in triple glazing. By using the gas, the lifetime of the glass coating is also extended, which is applied from the inside of the outside glass.

Number of glasses and insulation properties

Double glazing is now common, more demanding requirements then meet window with triple glazing. The width of the gap between glasses also affects the sound insulation. In terms of thermal insulation, the optimum width is 40 mm, which is common with double windows. The use of triple glazing is interesting in terms of increasing the thermal insulation properties of the window, and in the case of acoustic damping it is only relevant if it does not reduce the width of the air gap.

What is condensation

The precipitation of water droplets on objects whose surface temperature is at the moment lowest. For example, it is reflected by fogging or fogging mirrors, glasses, tiles, or fogging of glasses after entering the room from outside, etc. It occurs whenever the warm and humid air gets to the cold surface. The cause of the phenomenon is simple: warm air will carry more moisture than cold. As soon as it approaches the cooler objects, it cools and the excess moisture precipitates.

Sound insulation and air gap width

Generally speaking, the sound insulation increases with increasing the width of the air gap. However, on the contrary, it increases heat losses due to air flow between the glasses. If we want to improve sound insulation, the solution is not to increase the gap, but to maintain the same width of use of glass of different thicknesses: the outside glass should be stronger than the inner one, because it does not blink easily and do not produce resonances with the interior glass. The triple glazing also effectively dampens vibrations. For example, using a combination of glass thicknesses of 4 mm + 3 mm + 6 mm, the resonance at the mid-range level is greatly reduced.

The sound insulation properties will also improve by the safety foil that reinforces the exterior glass. It is a more expensive solution, but the advantage is that it meets two functions at once.

To learn more about the benefits of uPVC windows visit our website Superior Windows & Doors..