Alexis
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New Member
Posts:8
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| 04/24/2009 6:02 PM |
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hello,
I see that there is a lot of manufacturer for insulating curtains and quilt...
I read that inside windows insulation could lead to condensation and humidity problem on the windows. If it is commonly accepted, how come there is a lot of company still ofering interior insulation for windows?
Alexis |
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esger
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Posts:25
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| 05/06/2009 10:17 AM |
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If you have single pane windows, condensation might be a problem. The curtains can lower the temperature of the inside surface of the glass and move the dew/condensation point inward.
If you have insulating glass, the curtains are probably not worth the extra money. They have a very low insulating value because they cannot be sealed around the edges and convection will keep a great deal of air moving across the glass and escaping around the edges. With that said, if you have very large windows or single pane windows, the comfort factor of cutting down on your bodies radiant heat loss when you are near the windows might make them worthwhile.
The reason they are not considered a great alternative by design professionals concerned with energy conservation, is that they are an active strategy that require user control. There is no guarantee that they will be used when most needed.
Brint |
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Dana1
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Advanced Member
Posts:702
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| 05/06/2009 5:06 PM |
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I dunno- seems like if you're the active type they're WELL worth the money. A really great window has a U-factor of 0.25, which is only R4. An R4 shade/shutter can cut that heat loss in half. A "typical" no-coatings no-gas-fill double pane window will run around U0.5 or R2. Doesn't take much of an insulated shade to improve one of those.
But condensation has nothing to do with the number of panes- it's all about the surface temperature of the glass and the dewpoint/relative-humidity of the interior air. When you pull an insulating shade down the temperature of the glass can below the dew point (since it's now in a colder layer of the insulation), and condensation is really common. Even without insulating shades, even U0.25 windows will experience condensation in a very tight house with 30% RH @ 68F when it's wicked cold out. Can't cheat the physics. True, single panes (with no storms) will have colder temps than insulated windows and are more susceptible to condensation/frost with or without insulated windows. (Unless that's a single pane aerogel or something... :-) ) |
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slenzen
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Basic Member
Posts:265
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| 05/12/2009 6:10 PM |
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| are interior acrylic insulating panels worth anything? I have seen them advertised here and there. |
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jonr
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Posts:335
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| 05/12/2009 6:32 PM |
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I would prefer some type of exterior shutter with some mechanism to quickly/easily close it from inside. |
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Alton
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Advanced Member
Posts:662
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| 05/12/2009 7:11 PM |
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| A well-sealed insulated exterior shutter should save more energy without the chance of frost on the window. |
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Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
E-mail: alton at auburn dot edu |
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Dana1
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Advanced Member
Posts:702
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| 05/13/2009 10:45 AM |
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Posted By Alton on 05/12/2009 7:11 PM
A well-sealed insulated exterior shutter should save more energy without the chance of frost on the window.
I fully agree, but most peops in cold climates aren't much into wading out in snowy arctic blast to close the shutters every night (or open the ice-frozen-in-place sashes to reach out & close 'em from the inside.)
Do you know of any decent/convenient insulating exterior shutter products out there?
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Alton
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Posts:662
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| 05/13/2009 11:48 AM |
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Dana1,
The only one that I can think of could be hand cranked or driven by a motor. This insulated shutter resided outside above the window and was somewhat expensive. I have seen it several times and also understand that it is used in European countries. |
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Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
E-mail: alton at auburn dot edu |
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Bruce Frey
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Basic Member
Posts:272
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| 05/14/2009 7:16 AM |
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The overhead rolling shutters (called Persianas in southern Europe and Rolladens in northern Europe) are wonderful if you live in the city, although they are used for more security, acoustical and black-out capabilities than energy savings. They can be manually or electrically operated.
Installation, maintenance and repair access is generally from the inside, requiring a large access panel. Since these are used on multi story buildings, exterior access would be very difficult.
European windows traditionally open inwards (in-swinging in the past or tilt-turn now) to permit the use of these shutters. Since 12" is a thin wall by most Euro standards, the roller box usually fits within the wall assembly. Since the roller box is essentially open to the exterior, making this airtight to the interior and maintaining high insulation value is a bit of a challenge. I have not seen how they do this in northern Europe. My guess is with a thick (for insulation), gasketed access door. The insualtion thickness would be in addition to the size of the roller box.
For single family (1, 2 ,3 stories) exterior access is not a problem and the access panel and/or roller box could be mounted to the exterior, but this has aesthetic considerations. Thin, stick walls will require a bump for the roller box.
Newer ones I have seen have the roller box mounted to a subframe (with tracks) and the windows or doors are installed within the subframe.
Perfect for hurricane country!
Bruce
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