for Cold Climate Housing and much more

Last Updated: , Created: Saturday, October 27th, 2001

Is there any difference in the spacers in new energy efficient windows?

Yes!

Traditionally thermal windows were held apart by a hollow tube of aluminium and then sealed with some sealant over that. Of course the aluminium let a lot of cold come from the outer window to the inner window. (Actually cold doesn't exist -- it is just the absence of heat and heat moves not cold, since it doesn't exist, so heat going out through the aluminium is what we feel as cold coming in. Aren't you really glad that I set that straight?)

So over the years manufacturers have worked on reducing, if not eliminating the metal in spacers that keep the two panes of the window apart. The problem was that most of the structurally strong enough materials would deteriorate because they were exposed to the sun's UV rays through the glass. But the metal was reduced from massive to a simple swiggle of aluminium. Now finally a company called Edgetech has succeeded in eliminating all the structural metal, leaving only an aluminium film to help seal in the special energy efficient gasses that they use in their windows.

Yes these windows do reduce condensation, allowing for more humidity in the house without water on the windows. More humidity without mould or peeling paint. This is a move from good, to better.


Keywords: Condensation, Mold, Mould, Windows, Energy Conservation

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