Thermal Bridge Reduction: European Techniques for Minimizing Heat Loss
Windows and doors are not only key elements in a home’s design, but they are also crucial components for comfort, security, and energy saving. In fact, windows and doors play a big role in the thermal performance of a house envelope.
At Internorm, we are aware of the importance of thermal insulation, and that is why we have developed I-tec innovations that ensure high thermal performance, such as thermal insulation glass ECLAZ, sun protection, and insect protection. In this blog post, we will focus on the European techniques we use for thermal bridge reduction.
Thermal bridges are areas in a building where heat can pass through easily, leading to energy loss, condensation, and discomfort. In windows and doors, thermal bridges can occur at the frame, the junction between the frame and the glass, and the hardware.
So how do we manage to minimize the heat loss with our product? And how are our features compared to local market standards?
Multi-chamber profiles: Our UPVC and UPVC/Aluminum frames are made of multi-chamber profiles that trap air, providing extra insulation. The more chambers the window profile has – the more energy efficient it is. We have a minimum of 7 chambers, whereas our competitors have a maximum of 3. That is more than twice than local offerings, which means at least twice better performance.
Thermal break: We incorporate a thermal break in the form of rigid insulation in our wood-aluminum frames to separate the interior and exterior parts, preventing heat from passing through. Other American and European competitors offer wood directly on top of the aluminum, as we know aluminum is a great conductor of heat and cold, which will transfer onto the wood making it rot from inside out.
Low-conductivity materials: Our composite frames are made of low conductivity materials, and designed and combiner in such manner to further reduce thermal bridging.
Warm-edge spacers: We use ISO swiss warm-edge spacers in the glass unit to minimize heat loss at the edge of the glass. Whereas other competitors use cheaper Aluminum spacers that are great conductors of heat and cold.
Proper installation: We ensure proper installation of our windows and doors to prevent air infiltration and thermal bridging.
Additionally, our I-tec motorized smart shading system can contribute to thermal bridge reduction by integrating with our windows and reducing solar heat gain. You can program the blinds individually to specific times of the day to enjoy less or more sun rays.
By using these techniques, our windows and doors contribute significantly to the energy efficiency of a building. In fact, many of our products are suitable for passive house construction and meet the highest energy saving standards.
Minimizing heat loss through thermal bridge reduction is crucial for a building’s energy efficiency. By investing in high quality windows and doors, you can improve the comfort, security, and energy saving of your home. Consult with one of our distribution partners, use our door designer tool or download one of our brochures to find out more about how Internorm can help you achieve your goals.