RE-FRAME: New window framing technologies for aerogel and other highly insulating glazings

• Unité de recherche: PCRD EU
• Numéro de projet: 01.0297
• Titre du projet anglais: RE-FRAME: New window framing technologies for aerogel and other highly insulating glazings

Mots-clé (Anglais)

Economic Aspects; Energy Saving

Autre Numéro de projet (Anglais)

EU project number: ENK6-CT2001-00551

Programme de recherche (Anglais)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.4b.2 Economic and efficient energy for a competitive Europe

Description succincte (Anglais)

See abstract

Résumé des résultats (Abstract) (Anglais)

Objectives and Problems to be solved:
New advanced window glazing with heat loss coefficients as low as 0.4 W/m2K has been developed in recent years with the use of vacuum glazing and aerogel glazing. In the same period of time only very limited improvements has been seen in the technology of window framing. The best frames still have 3-4 times the heat loss compared to the new glazing and unless this ratio is dramatically improved, the windows with new glazing will not provide the substantial energy saving potential of the glazing.
The key innovative idea of the present project is to develop new technologies for fixing and mounting of windows in the building shell. One example of the technologies considered are mounting technologies principally connecting the window to the building shell without physical contact with the edge of the glazing as is usual in all traditional framing. Hereby, the traditional problems with the cold bridges along the glass edges can be reduced dramatically.
Also the potential for using new materials in the framing design will be analysed and tested, such as biological degradable polymers, carbon-fibre reinforcement on particular construction details, framing cavities with vacuum or aerogel, refined wood-products with low heat-conductivity.

Description of work:
The work is split into 6 work packages with a number of subtasks included:
1. Theoretical analysis: Theoretical possibilities, strategy and potential for substantial improvements of thermal properties of window frames with new materials, technologies and design concepts. Target value of 0.6 W/m2K2. Architectural and industrial design: Architectural and industrial design analysis and solutions for new window frames adopted for European building sector3. Production of Prototypes: Full-scale prototypes of optimised new window frame designs with very low heat loss4. Test and Verification: Comprehensive indoor and outdoor testing and evaluation of components and prototypes including Guarded Hot Box methods and advanced outdoor facilities5. Planning of Pilot project: Detailed feasibility study of architectural potential and preparation of Pilot demonstration project6. Dissemination of results: Quarter-annual Newsletters, Industrial Interest Group, Public/Restricted Web-site.
The partners of the project have been carefully selected to provide expert knowledge on critical issues to be covered. The consortium includes high profile architects, who have proven to set new standards for energy conscious building design in a number of buildings in Europe. Hereby besides covering all energy simulation and analysis expertise, focus will be on aesthetically pleasing solutions, which can be expected to be mandatory for an introduction of the resulting technologies to architects and building clients on a larger scale.

Expected Results and Exploitation Plans:
The energy use of the building sector in Europe is currently more than 40% of the total energy consumption. According to the European White Paper on Energy high efficiency windows is a measure to reach the target reduction of the energy use in the building sector by 50% in 2010.
The three generations of new window frame design developed in the project will be important steps forward in removing the barriers for efficient use of advanced glazing and changing windows into plus-energy components.

Références bases de données (Anglais)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0297