Are you struggling with choosing windows for your house or apartment? Have you been presented with windows featuring a warm frame and are unsure about its significance? What exactly does a warm frame entail and is it a worthwhile investment? If you find yourself wavering on whether to opt for a window with a warm frame, this segment is tailored for you.
Every new window comes equipped with a distance frame, a crucial component within double- and triple-pane configurations. Despite its unassuming size, this element plays a critical role in regulating heat transfer and ensuring the proper sealing of double-glazed units.
A glazing unit is made up of multiple glass panes that are divided by distance frames. Typically, the area between the panes is filled with air, but it is also common to use argon (Ar) or Krypton (Kr) noble gases to enhance the thermal performance of the pane. To prevent moisture from entering the space between the panes, the spacer is filled with a potent granulated hygroscopic material. This underscores the crucial role that spacers play in the thermal insulation of glass units. It’s worth noting that there are various types of distance frames available for this purpose.
The standard solution involves fitting an aluminum frame, which may offer cost savings but comes with a major drawback of high heat conductivity. This results in the frame acting as a thermal weak point in the window, compromising its insulation properties and leading to heat loss from the house, consequently raising heating expenses. Is there a way to address this issue? Absolutely, warm edge spacers, also known as warm frames, have been developed to mitigate this problem.
Due to the increasing popularity and demand for energy-efficient window systems that minimize heat loss and prevent heat from escaping through windows, there was a need to innovate the production of insulating glass units featuring frames made from materials with lower thermal conductivity than aluminum. This led to the introduction of warm edge technology. A warm edge spacer, also known as a thermal spacer, is a spacer bar crafted from materials such as plastic or stainless steel that exhibit excellent insulation properties.
The primary benefit of incorporating a warm edge spacer is the significant reduction in heat loss. With traditional windows, as much as 20% of heat can escape due to leaks. By upgrading to windows featuring a warm frame, substantial long-term savings on heating costs can be achieved.
Another key advantage is the resolution of moisture condensation issues on windows. Inadequately ventilated rooms with aluminum frames often experience condensation buildup in winter due to significant temperature variations between the interior and exterior panes. By using a high-quality plastic warm edge spacer, this problem can be effectively addressed. The warm frame helps elevate the inner edge surface temperature of the glass panes, thereby reducing the likelihood of condensation, particularly in the corners.
Thirdly, enhancing the longevity of windows is crucial. Distance frames serve to shield windows from the infiltration of dirt and moisture. To achieve this, a specific gas, such as argon or krypton, is introduced between the panes. If the frame is not airtight, the gas can escape, leading to a decline in the performance of the glass unit. Furthermore, a faulty frame allows moisture to seep in, fostering the growth of mold.
The German Institute of Window Technology in Rosenheim has conducted research on the effects of utilizing various distance frames, including warm frames. The findings from these studies revealed notable variances. When all other window parameters were held constant, the use of a warm frame led to a reduction in the total heat transfer coefficient Uw by 7.7% to 11% compared to using woodwork with an aluminum frame. A lower Uw value signifies decreased heat loss in the window construction. If you are deliberating on which window joinery to opt for and are unsure about the choice of distance frame, please reach out to us. Our experts are available to address any inquiries you may have.
