Page 39 - Climate Control News April 2020

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How composite doors boost energy efficiency
air to leak out. Repeated exposure to moisture may even cause rot. Unlike wood, fiberglass doesn’t expand or contract when exposed to wet or humid conditions, and it does not rot, mean- ing it can last longer and work effectively in any environmental conditions.
While another common window frame and door material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), does not swell or warp like wood, it presents its own chal- lenges. PVC can be easily misshapen, so metal inserts are sandwiched between the exterior and interior frames of the window to match wood’s structural stiffness. However, the problem arises when the seal binding these elements together isn’t maintained — stopping it from keeping the elements out and the heat in. These inserts cre- ate complexity, and complexity can create costs. Fiberglass window frames do not require struc- tural inserts, as the stiff material is manufac- tured in a single profile.
From a materials performance perspective, fiberglass offers several benefits over traditional materials. First it has the stiffness and strength without the need for adding stiffeners, and this simplifies the manufacturing process. Secondly, fiberglass is resistant to thermal expansion, cor- rosion and rot. This means less maintenance over the lifespan of the window or door frame. Thirdly, fiberglass frames are a great insulator helping to retain heat or cooling to help save energy.
No matter where you use composites, the benefits of the material will greatly impact the efficiency of windows and doors. To tackle lost energy and improve efficiency, composite mate- rials for windows and doors are an advanta- geous option. ✺
TO REDUCE CARBON emissions significant changes need to be implemented throughout a building’s infrastructure. Building, construction and infrastructure manager at Exel Composites, Gert De Roover, explains why composite materi- als contribute to the drive for greener buildings.
According to World Green Building Council (WGBC), buildings and construction are re- sponsible for 39 per cent of global energy-relat- ed carbon emissions. Out of this, 28 per cent come from the operational “in use” phase to heat, power and cool buildings while 11 per cent of these emissions are attributed to em- bodied carbons — the carbon released during construction and material manufacturing. But no matter where these carbon emissions come from, the sector must tackle energy inefficien- cy across the entire building lifecycle. A way of improving building efficiency is to evaluate where energy is wasted. One area that contrib- utes to a large portion of wasted energy is through a building’s entry and exit points, or its windows and doors.
On average, around 30 per cent of a building’s heat escapes through its windows alone. During colder months, the efforts of a building’s heating system can be in vain as much of the expense and energy to keep the building at a desirable temperature goes to waste.
Unlike metal, fiberglass composite materials are effective thermal insulators, making them the ideal candidate for window and door frames. Typically, insulation in an aluminium window frame is referred to as a thermal break — the continuous barrier between the inside and out- side window frames that prevents thermal ener- gy loss. While effective, this insulation method requires thicker frames, which can alter the de-
“AROUND 30 PER CENT OF A BUILDING’S HEAT ESCAPES THROUGH ITS WINDOWS.”
sired appearance of windows. The insulating properties of composite materials such as fiber- glass mean that there is no need for a thermal break, as the material is capable of ensuring thermal efficiency alone.
When a wooden frame faces changes in mois- ture and humidity, it risks warping, swelling, or contracting. This could impact the condition and operation of the window or door, and create draught space for warm air to escape and cold
Composites provide a window to a greener world.
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS APRIL 2020
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