W H I T E PA P E R

Energy-Efficient
Window Designs Knowledge for creating, remodeling, and sustaining extraordinary homes

New designs and materials make windows more efficient

By Judy Mottl
than ever before, helping to save money and decrease Contributing writer,
the impact on the environment. ProudGreenHome.com

W
indows are an integral part of
home design, offering natural
light and protection from the
elements. However, the increasing costs
of housing utilities, such as heating and
cooling systems, is sparking a revolution in
window technology.

“A prime issue with windows is the draft

aspect, so innovations began to make win-
dows more energy efficient,” said Stacey
Einck, brand communications manager for
Bayport, Minn.-based window manufac-
turer Andersen.

As part of the increased emphasis on energy Government initiatives, such as tax credits for installing energy-efficient
windows, are helping consumers invest in new window technology.
efficiency, industry guidelines and standards
were implemented to help buyers under-
stand efficiency gains and compare products.
Certification programs, such as those
At the same time, manufacturers developed
offered by the U.S. Green Building Council
new designs and product features.
and the National Fenestration Rating Coun-
cil, can help consumers evaluate the claims
The government has helped drive window of manufacturers. These programs identify
development as well. Programs at the fed-
the efficiency of windows, the materials
eral and municipal level, such as the Energy
from which the windows were made and the
Star program, are keeping costs affordable.
sustainability of the manufacturing process.
The Energy Star program helps consumers
determine how efficient windows are, while
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Efficient design
Act of 2009 provides tax credits for home-
owners who invest in qualified energy- Development in efficient glass materials
efficient improvements such as windows, began in the 1970s with the advent of Low
doors and skylights. E options. The “e” stands for emissivity,

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Energy-Efficient Window Designs

and initial windows typically featured a

very thin metal coating on or built into the
glass that allowed illumination but re-
stricted both UV and IR light, which heat
up elements and spaces.

Low E technology was used to develop thin

Low E transparent films, which are placed
between panes in window designs. Some
windows using this technology can block
99.5 percent of UV light and have double
the insulation capability of traditional win-
dows. Low E windows keep houses warmer
in the winter and cooler in the summer,
meaning less money is spent and fewer
resources are used to maintain a comfort-
able environment.
Recycled and reclaimed materials, such as wood, are
The vinyl window, which was designed in becoming a popular element in window design.
the 1950s as a low-cost alternative to wood
windows, was created to offer homeowners
a window with less maintenance require- and design parameters.
ments, since vinyl doesn’t require paint-
ing or protective coating against external
elements. Recycled materials

For maximum efficiency, window materials
and glazing can be adjusted per window. A
west-facing window that experiences heat
gain in the summer, for example, could be
coated with heat-rejecting glazing, while
windows on the east side could be glazed
to retain heat. By carefully considering the
placement of windows and adjusting the
materials accordingly, the ambient tem-
perature indoors is regulated more easily,
minimizing the use of heating and cooling
systems.
Recycled materials, such as reusing wood
from other projects to make new windows,
are becoming more popular in window de-
sign. Not only do such materials improve
efficiency, but they also help boost conser-
vation of those materials. Andersen’s 100
series windows feature 18 percent to 24
percent recycled glass and wood materials.
Andersen also uses reclaimed sawdust in
its new composite material, Fibrex, which
makes up the window sill and the outer
parts of the window unit.

Moving forward, window technology will
keep advancing on the design front and
refining of current features, says Einck,
noting there is still room for improvement
in the areas of glass, hardware, accessories
In addition to new windows made from
recycled materials, existing windows from
older buildings can be reclaimed. Some
estimates say a homeowner can save up to
60 percent on window costs by using re-
claimed windows. However, such windows

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Energy-Efficient Window Designs

need to be carefully inspected to ensure

they meet modern standards of efficiency
and construction.

Part of the challenge of creating energy-

efficient windows is ensuring the windows
are still attractive.

“Windows will never go away as a needed

product because none of us want to live in
boxes. It’s one of the few home elements
where the front and the back are important
to the homeowner,” says Einck.

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