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Optimizing the thermal performance of window frames through aerogel-enhancements

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  • Paulos, Jason
  • Berardi, Umberto

Abstract

Windows are often considered the weakest point in building envelopes, especially in buildings with high window-to-wall ratios, where the windows exhibit much higher thermal transmittance than the opaque portion of the walls. The poor thermal performance of windows can largely be attributed to their frames which have higher thermal transmittance than the glazing portions. This study investigates the thermal transmittance of 48 commercially-available high-performance aluminium, fibreglass, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and wood-composite window frames. Then, it focuses on the possible improvements of each frame by inserting aerogel in the frame cavities. Several modifications of the frame cavities are assessed through two-dimensional numerical modelling done according to the ISO 10077-2 standard. This research concludes that filling existing empty cavities of window frames with aerogel granules could reduce the frame thermal transmittance by 4–29% depending on the frame type. Moreover, the complete filling of the cavities with aerogel can further reduce the thermal transmittance by 35%. Finally, for each investigated material, window frames with a thermal transmittance as low as 0.5 W/m2 K are proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulos, Jason & Berardi, Umberto, 2020. "Optimizing the thermal performance of window frames through aerogel-enhancements," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:266:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920302889
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

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    3. Santu Golder & Ramadas Narayanan & Md. Rashed Hossain & Mohammad Rofiqul Islam, 2021. "Experimental and CFD Investigation on the Application for Aerogel Insulation in Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Huaiyuan Wang & Yuanwei Lu & Jie Wang & Tao Qi & Xuefeng Tian & Chaowei Yang & Yuming Huang & Meiqi Wang & Baiqi Zhang & Zhibin Qu & Wei Zhou & Fei Sun & Jihui Gao & Guangbo Zhao, 2025. "Hydrated ionic polymer for thermochromic smart windows in buildings," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Taesub Lim & Woong Seog Yim & Daeung Danny Kim, 2020. "Evaluation of Daylight and Cooling Performance of Shading Devices in Residential Buildings in South Korea," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Francesco Asdrubali & Marta Roncone & Gianluca Grazieschi, 2021. "Embodied Energy and Embodied GWP of Windows: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Sai Liu & Yang Li & Ying Wang & Yuwei Du & Kin Man Yu & Hin-Lap Yip & Alex K. Y. Jen & Baoling Huang & Chi Yan Tso, 2024. "Mask-inspired moisture-transmitting and durable thermochromic perovskite smart windows," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    8. Ke, Yujie & Tan, Yutong & Feng, Chengchen & Chen, Cong & Lu, Qi & Xu, Qiyang & Wang, Tao & Liu, Hai & Liu, Xinghai & Peng, Jinqing & Long, Yi, 2022. "Tetra-Fish-Inspired aesthetic thermochromic windows toward Energy-Saving buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    9. Hooman Mehdizadeh-Rad & Taimoor Ahmad Choudhry & Anne W. M. Ng & Zohreh Rajabi & Muhammad Farooq Rais & Asad Zia & Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman Tariq, 2022. "An Energy Performance Evaluation of Commercially Available Window Glazing in Darwin’s Tropical Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    10. Mesloub, Abdelhakim & Ghosh, Aritra & Touahmia, Mabrouk & Albaqawy, Ghazy Abdullah & Alsolami, Badr M. & Ahriz, Atef, 2022. "Assessment of the overall energy performance of an SPD smart window in a hot desert climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    11. Taesub Lim & Daeung Danny Kim, 2022. "Thermal Comfort Assessment of the Perimeter Zones by Using CFD Simulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, November.

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