Syllabus on: Glazing in buildings from an energy efficiency viewpoint
Abstract
Windows are responsible for glare, heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. As a
consequence, they are very important in the design or retrofit of a sustainable building so this course
provides an overview to their composition and effects on a building. It starts with an introduction to
the physical phenomena through which heat is transferred. It continues by describing windows’
thermal characteristics, and the different variants of its components. It finishes by providing advice
on how windows can be refurbished.
Pre-requisites
None.
Learning Outcomes
He/she is able to:
 List the different types of solar radiation
 Describe the physical phenomena that lead to the transfer of heat.
 Remember the effect of the thermal transmittance on the windows ability to transfer heat
 Define the solar factor of glazing used for window panes
 List the components of a window
 Argue why the orientation of a building will affect its performance
 Describe the different frame types, and comment on their thermal properties
 Provide examples of different types of glass that could be used in a window
 Explain why condensation forms on windows and how it can be avoided
 Clarify why air infiltration has a negative effect on a building
Instructional method: e-learning with distant support,
The course is given in the form of e-learning material, with question and answer sections.
Materials and textbooks
Website containing presentation, and the following online resources:
 www.agc-glass.eu
 www.euromatcr.com\vidrios
 www.window.tinting.com.au
 www.beodon.com
 www.finehomebuilding.com
 isvox.blogspot.com
 www.solar-for-energy.com
 Technical guide for the refurbishing of the thermal envelope of buildings.- Glazing and
glazed enclosure solutions.- Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade-IDAE
 www.yoursunnyhouse.com
 www.sunguardglass.com
 www.aboutdoubleglazing.co.uk
 www.glassforeurope.com
 EDEA Project: Experimental Demonstrators. Stage 1 Obtaining of results from active and
passive simulations of the EDEA project. 2009 – 2010.
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RECONSOST Project: Research on the Thermal Behaviour of Construction Bio-climatic
Solutions. Application of New Technologies for the Sustainable Rehabilitation of
Buildings. Work on façade windows.
www.sol-arq.com
www.arquisolar.com
www.laveneciana.sggs.com
www.deceuninck.es
Content
1. General concepts
1.1. Solar radiation
1.2. Heat transfer
1.3. Thermal comfort
1.4. Natural ventilation
1.5. Geographical orientation
2. Thermal behaviour of façade windows
3. Window components
4. Refurbishing solutions
Teaching
The Moodle learning environment will be used to teach the participants, where they will find the
document containing information and exercises.
Assessment
The participants will be assessed online after the course using an interactive questionnaire. This
will also be available on the Moodle learning environment.