Today, energy efficiency is a critical component of any commercial building design-whether new construction, retrofit or renovation projects. As energy codes continue to become increasingly stringent and the desire to reduce energy use and operating costs becomes more prevalent, the demand for thermally efficient products cannot be underestimated.
It’s All Material
When architects, engineers and building owners look to improve energy performance, they often look at the building envelope-more specifically at doors, windows and framing systems. Along with architectural design, building materials influence thermal performance and energy expenditure in commercial buildings. Aluminum windows, for example, offer an array of performance, maintenance, durability, aesthetic and sustainable benefits. Windows made from aluminum are incredibly durable and will never rot, warp or buckle due to moisture and weather exposure. They can attain outstanding condensation resistance by leveraging advanced thermal break technologies, which is ideal for healthcare and education applications where condensation and mold are significant concerns. Additionally, aluminum is infinitely recyclable.
While style and aesthetic appeal remain important factors when choosing materials for commercial construction, thermal performance is playing a much larger role in product specification. These considerations take on even greater significance for historic structures.
Replicating History
When retrofitting, architects are often challenged with keeping a balance between energy efficiency and maintaining the historical integrity of a building. Fortunately, with the many architectural-grade thermal aluminum windows on the market today, it is possible to improve energy performance without sacrificing unique details of historic buildings.
Advances in thermal performance have resulted in aluminum windows that provide tremendous resistance to weather extremes; but more than that, these products have been developed with design options that provide architects with the tools they need to match historic designs and appearances.
Norcross, Ga.-based Kawneer’s Traco division has developed many windows that meet these needs, including the TR-9000 Double-Hung Tilt Thermal Aluminum Window used in the renovation of the historic Joseph R. Biden Jr. railroad station in Wilmington, Del. These historic-quality aluminum windows feature 1-inch double-pane insulating glass with low-E coating and were chosen for the project not only for their thermal performance, but also because options were available to accurately replicate the original windows.
Intelligence
In recent years, windows have been developed that are truly thermally broken versus thermally improved. By combining critical elements within the product design, newer, thermally broken windows work to separate the interior components from the exterior at all possible meeting points. Thermal protection not only helps keep building occupants warmer and more comfortable in colder months, it helps maintain desired interior temperatures year-round, while also helping to prevent condensation in humid regions.
Innovations, such as triple glazing, combined with technologically advanced thermal breaks, can provide enhanced thermal performance for all weather extremes. The OptiQ Ultra Thermal Window AA4325 series features a polyamide thermal break that contributes to higher thermal performance than the traditional pour and debridged style thermal break. Performance is further enhanced by accommodating 1-inch and 1 3/4-inch insulating glass. In addition, alignment of the insulating glass unit with the thermal break allows the window to maintain thermal continuity.
Windows of Tomorrow
The architectural grade OptiQ Ultra Thermal Window is the result of a pioneering partnership between Kawneer and the U.S. Department of Energy. As the industry continues to move toward more energy-efficient building solutions, it may not be long before smart, high-performance products, such as the OptiQ Ultra Thermal Window, become the standard versus the option.
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Lisa Jackson, LEED AP, is the product manager, windows and manager, sustainability at Kawneer Co. Inc., Norcross, Ga. To learn more, visit www.kawneer.com.
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Railroad Project: Photos Courtesy of Kawneer Co. Inc., ©Don Pearse Photographers Inc.