How To Choose Windows In The Cold Season?

As modern architectural styles evolve, windows and doors increasingly occupy more space on building façades. While they offer stunning views, they also pose significant challenges for energy efficiency. Heat loss through windows and doors can account for as much as 50% to 70% of a building's total energy loss. If not properly chosen, windows can significantly increase energy consumption while failing to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, negatively impacting both the living experience and physical well-being. To ensure warmth during the winter, consider the following factors when selecting your windows.

There are countless window types, each with its own advantages and specific applications. When selecting windows, it’s essential to focus on your particular needs.

Firstly, prioritize choosing system windows. Non-thermal-break aluminum windows allow heat to transfer quickly through the aluminum frames, which are excellent conductors of heat. This leads to unwanted temperature fluctuations, causing cold in winter and heat in summer. Thermal-break aluminum windows perform better, but they still lack the systematization, structural design, material quality, and rigorous testing found in true system windows. In contrast, system windows are designed as integrated systems, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and comfort. Their design and compatibility with other components maximize reliability, durability, and energy efficiency.

Generally speaking, for the same frame depth and configuration, inward-opening windows offer better thermal insulation compared to outward-opening and sliding windows. For example, the CIVRO 65 series casement windows have wider thermal breaks in inward-opening designs, reducing cold bridge effects and improving thermal insulation.

Next, consider the frame depth. The wider the frame, the better the overall performance. A wider frame allows for broader thermal breaks and larger glass pockets. For instance, CIVRO 80 series casement windows perform better than the 65 series in terms of insulation and other attributes.

Glass is a crucial component of windows, and selecting the right type can significantly improve thermal performance.

Whenever possible, opt for Low-E glass. This energy-efficient glass reflects a large portion of outdoor heat radiation and prevents indoor heat from escaping, helping maintain a comfortable indoor temperature year-round. Its transparency is similar to that of standard double-glazed glass, so concerns about insufficient light intake are generally unfounded.

Another effective option for improving insulation is insulated glass filled with inert gases. Inert gases have lower thermal conductivity than air, helping to reduce heat transfer. For example, argon gas reduces heat transfer by 33% compared to air. Additionally, increasing the amount of gas in the gap can further improve thermal insulation.

For standard double-glazed windows, triple glazing offers superior thermal performance, but the gap between the panes should ideally be between 12mm and 16mm, as wider gaps may increase heat transfer and reduce insulation effectiveness.

Warm edge spacer bars should also be chosen for better performance. Typically made from materials with low thermal conductivity, they help prevent cold bridge effects. CIVRO's warm edge spacer bars are made from high-quality polypropylene and stainless steel, achieving a thermal conductivity of just 0.0023W/(㎡K). Be sure to select integrated bendable spacer bars for better sealing.

When selecting frame structures, focus on the width of the thermal break. A wider thermal break ensures better insulation by lowering the thermal conductivity. However, the frame size doesn’t always correlate with the width of the thermal break. For example, in CIVRO 65 series casement windows, the inward-opening design uses a combination of 32+25mm thermal breaks, while the outward-opening design uses 32+22mm.

Adding insulation cotton to the thermal break can further improve performance by reducing thermal convection within the frame, preventing heat loss.

Once the right products have been selected, the final step is installation. The installation process plays a key role in the overall thermal performance.

When installing, opt for thermal-break subframes. These help improve the overall thermal performance by reducing heat transfer from the frame. Similar to thermal-break profiles, these subframes incorporate thermal breaks that reduce heat loss after installation.

For installation materials, select those with low thermal conductivity. CIVRO uses high-strength polypropylene window spacers, which are corrosion-resistant and have low thermal conductivity, preventing the creation of thermal bridges.

Using insulating sealants such as expanding cement can further enhance insulation by preventing heat loss. Polyurethane foam sealants also work well to block heat transfer.

In regions with higher insulation requirements, consider external high-insulation installation methods. This is especially useful in cold climates with external insulation, where the window frame is mounted directly onto the insulation layer for optimal performance.

As the snow begins to fall, there’s nothing like gathering with loved ones around a warm fire. With CIVRO windows, you can enjoy the scenic beauty outside while staying cozy indoors, ensuring that the warmth and comfort of home remain uninterrupted during the cold winter months.