Modern fixtures: what are the characteristics for maximum insulation?
To keep interiors free of heat loss and ensure a constant microclimate both day and night, it is essential to use
modern fixtures designed specifically for this purpose and equipped with a high level of insulation. Several factors contribute to a new
window 's insulating ability, including
frame materials and glass surface area.
Modern fixtures offer
excellent insulating performance without compromising the amount of natural light that enters the rooms. Is it better to choose PVC, wood or aluminium? Which windows offer the best performance and save energy? How can tax deductions be obtained? Here are some suggestions and the opinion of a
window and door hardware expert.
The design and use of frames and glass with high thermal performance have become increasingly important as time passes and, with the arrival of winter, this topic is more relevant than ever.
Environmental problems and the crisis linked to gas supplies and prices increasingly require actions aimed at energy efficiency. This objective can be achieved essentially in three ways: reducing consumption, intervening on the systems or
improving the building envelope .
Focusing on this last aspect, one of the main contributions is given by windows, which on average account for 30% of the energy needed to heat a room.
Window and door materials
In the past, the choice of windows and doors was mainly based on economic factors and ease of maintenance. For example, PVC profiles were preferred for their affordability, strength and durability, while wood was chosen for its distinctive style.
Today windows have become real
design elements . In the most professional projects,
architects and interior designers recommend the most suitable solutions for the context, thanks to research progress that has overcome old limits and preconceptions. It is possible to have wooden windows with high technological performance and easy maintenance, aluminum windows with excellent insulating capabilities, and PVC windows that express a strong personality.
The most advanced solutions leave nothing to chance: from the profile materials (wood, aluminium, PVC) to the glass, everything is designed to guarantee the best levels of thermal and acoustic insulation.
PVC has historically been the cheapest choice among fixtures, thanks to its competitive costs compared to other materials. However, it is also appreciated for its high performance. Being a thermoplastic material (polyvinyl chloride), it offers great resistance to chemical agents and therefore long life. It is light and cheap, but it is not a natural material.
Today, high quality
PVC frames also have very thin profiles which favor larger glass
dimensions , improving aesthetics and increasing the passage of light.
Metal has long been the preferred material for profile optimization, especially in projects involving large glass surfaces. In recent decades, research has focused on improving the corrosion resistance of metal and offering a wider range of finishes.
Aluminum is highly appreciated for its strength and durability, but being an excellent conductor, it can create so-called thermal bridges. These thermal bridges represent the passage of warm air from inside to outside during winter, when there is a notable difference in temperature between inside and outside. To solve this problem, some aluminum windows and doors are made with the "thermal break" system, an internal mechanism that interrupts the thermal bridge.
If you have any doubts, we recommend reading our article: PVC or aluminum frames? Choice guide .
Furthermore, the
glass used in these windows should be low-emissivity to further improve thermal insulation performance.
Wood is one of the most popular materials for fixtures thanks to its aesthetic value. It easily matches with furnishing elements and internal coverings, and is ideal for external
renovations . Furthermore, wood has the lowest thermal conductivity value among the materials commonly used for window frames.
However, wood has some limitations, such as lower resistance to atmospheric agents and, as a consequence, lower durability compared to other materials. To overcome this problem, many manufacturing companies use
laminated wood . This type of wood, structured in several glued layers, is more resistant than solid wood, thus offering a more durable and reliable solution.
There are also windows and doors made with
mixed materials , such as wood/aluminium, wood/bronze and wood/PVC/aluminium. In these cases, the metal section is placed outside to ensure resistance to atmospheric agents, while the wooden part is located inside, offering a warm and welcoming aesthetic.
As regards
roof windows , companies offer solutions with high thermal insulation properties and high energy savings. Furthermore, research in this sector has also been oriented towards improving security, increasing the degree of
anti-burglary .
The glass of the new windows
The
glass used in new windows can also be of different types, each with specific characteristics:
- Double glazing or double glazing : this type of glass is made up of at least two sheets of glass, between which a frame made of non-conductive material is inserted, with a thickness varying between 6 and 15 mm. This frame creates an air chamber that improves the insulating properties of the glass.
- Laminated glass : this is a composite product in which the various glass sheets are interspersed with sections of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The PVB holds the structure together even in the event of breakage, increasing safety. Furthermore, the PVB layer improves soundproofing and blocks 99% of ultraviolet radiation.
- Reflective or solar control glass : This glass is designed to reflect sunlight, improving interior comfort without blocking the passage of natural light. This feature helps reduce overheating of indoor environments and improves the energy efficiency of buildings.
How to measure the insulation coefficient of a window?
The insulation level of a window is determined by the
frame's thermal transmittance value, indicated with the symbol Uw. This coefficient should not exceed 0.9 W/m²K to ensure good thermal insulation. The Uw value is influenced by all components of the window, including the frame material, the frames, the glass and all internal finishes.
As regards glass surfaces, thermal transmittance is expressed with the
Ug value . This value depends on various factors, such as the thickness of the double glazing, the type of duct, the low-emission treatments applied to the glass, its thickness and the type of gas inserted inside the chamber. While Uw represents the thermal transmittance of the entire window, Ug refers exclusively to the glass surface.
The replacement of fixtures is an intervention that allows access to various tax deduction mechanisms. The main reason is the energy efficiency achieved with the installation of new fixtures, which makes the intervention eligible for the Ecobonus.
For more details on how to benefit from these
window deductions , see our other articles on the topic.
How to enhance the openings of the house?
The efficiency of the openings of the house is achieved thanks to the collaboration of four main elements: glazing, frame, contact joint and installation.
- Glazing : this is the predominant element of the window, hardly accounting for less than 45% of the total surface.
- Window frame and subframe : its incidence varies between 35% and 40%, influenced by the material used, the thickness and stratification of the product.
- Contact joint : this represents approximately 15% of the energy contribution of the window. The material of the spacer and its conductivity are decisive in this case.
- Certified installation of the window : although the detailed analysis of the installation is more recent than that of the window product, it is crucial. The standardization requires that the installation guarantees the maintenance of the performance of the frame, which can only be achieved with high design standards, skills of the installers and certified PosaClima products.
These four players together contribute significantly to energy efficiency and living comfort, improving the quality of life inside the home.
Energy label
Anfit has introduced an energy label accompanied by documentation that is provided at the time of purchase. The label indicates the energy class of the window for both the summer and winter seasons, the performance indices and the reference climate zone.
The documentation includes basic product information, such as the materials used and an associated origin statement. Furthermore, there is a code that corresponds to the one on the label. By entering this code in the space provided on the Anfit website, it is possible to verify the country of production of the product, thus offering a useful tool for traceability.
