Who We Are US Division Canada Division Product Information Management Partners Careers Advertising Opportunities Press Releases Reed In The News
Construction Project Leads BIM SmartBuilding Index Construction Costs (RSMeans) Market / Predictive Analytics Building Product Information Daily Commercial News Journal of Commerce B2B Marketing Construction Market Research
SmartBIM Market Insights Connections RSMeans SmartBuzz accessArchitecture Green Construction US Construction Canadian Construction
Search Project Leads Building Product Information Regional News & Info Building Codes Building Cost Models Project Library by Building Type eNewsletters Blogs Ask Our Experts Events
Upload Plans & Specs
RSMeans Bookstore Preorder 2010 Cost Data SmartProject News
home article index limiting heat loss through windows

Limiting Heat Loss Through Windows

October 24, 2007 - Alexis Karolides

Featured in:

Join the Discussion!

Much of a building’s heat transfer occurs through its windows. Therefore, one of the most critical ways to reduce heat loss (or gain) is by selecting the appropriate, high-performance window for the given conditions.

Important window properties include solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), heat loss coefficient (U-value), and visible transmittance. The appropriate combination of these properties will depend on the climate, solar orientation, and building application.

Ultra-high-performance windows combine multiple glazing layers, low-emissivity coatings, argon or krypton gas fill, good edge seals, insulated frames, and airtight construction.

Because metal is a particularly good conductor, metal window frames need a “thermal break” (an insulating material inserted to block the conductive heat transfer across the metal) to achieve high performance.

High-performance windows have multiple benefits besides saving energy. These include:

  • Enhancing radiant comfort near the windows (thereby allowing perimeter space to be used and sometimes enabling perimeter zone heating/cooling to be eliminated).
  • Allowing the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system to be downsized (thereby reducing first costs).
  • Reducing fading from ultraviolet light.
  • Reducing noise transfer from outside.
  • Reducing condensation and related potential for mold and extending the life of the window).
  • Improving daylighting—quantitatively and qualitatively.

Related Articles

This article is an excerpt from the book Green Building: Project Planning & Estimating which can be purchased through the RSMeans Bookstore.

This new 2nd edition has been completely updated with the latest in green building technologies, design concepts, standards, and costs. Includes Means’ Green Building CostWorks CD at no additional cost.

Buy today and get 20% off!

Member Comments

» View all comments (0 total comments)
Post Your Own Comments 
» Not a member? Register now to become one. Otherwise, login to post your comments on this article.

Related News & Information

Related Channels

   Community Login | Register

Search Site

Advanced Search


What's Hot

Take a Demo!


Recent News

E Newsletter

Do You Know?

Reed’s data collection and reporting resources are up by 40%!

Learn more!


Resource Center

© 2009 Reed Construction Data Inc. All rights reserved.