Thermal performance of windows: Understanding window U-values and how to improve them

Windows have the potential to let in approximately 87% of a home's heat while allowing about 40% of it to escape, significantly increasing heating and cooling loads. Utilising energy-efficient home windows will help users save money on energy bills and enhance thermal comfort inside the building across all seasons. What types of windows are better suited to minimise unwanted heat loss and heat gain? A good place to start is the window’s U-value.

Thermal Performance of Windows: Understanding Window U-Values and How To Improve Them provides a concise explanation of the thermal performance of windows, how it is measured and the design elements that can improve or reduce it. The conductivity of the entire window—glass and frame combined—is described by the U-value (also known as thermal transmittance). Specifiers can choose from a variety of glazing and frame options, which can lead to very different performance outcomes depending on how different design elements are combined.

European-designed and engineered, BINQ’s windows are some of the highest-performing windows in the world, with some of the lowest U-values. BINQ windows provide exceptional performance due to their thoughtful design, which incorporates low-conductive materials, minimum air leakage, gas fills, spacers, and more.

Download this whitepaper to learn about the thermal performance of windows, how it is measured and the design elements that can improve or reduce it.