Custom Window
U-Value.
Understand how the windows and glazed doors in your project are expected to perform at the sizes actually designed — not only at the standard rating sizes used for product comparison.
Your drawings show the real windows.
Your performance analysis can too.
Architectural homes often use large windows, sliding doors and other glazed openings that are very different in size from the standard dimensions used to create product rating data.
Those standard rating sizes are important. They provide a fair, controlled benchmark so one window system can be compared with another without size being used to make the product look artificially better or worse. But a benchmark is not necessarily the thermal performance of the window that will actually be installed in your project.
SIIGMATIC can analyse the nominated frame, glazing and configuration at the dimensions shown on your project schedule and provide custom whole-window U-Value and SHGC results.
The frame-to-glass ratio
changes with the opening.
A window is a combination of frame, edge-of-glass and glazing performance. Change the dimensions and the proportion of those components changes too.
per m²
Smaller unit
per m²
Larger unit
Larger windows commonly have a higher glass-to-frame ratio. Depending on the frame, glass, spacer and opening type, that can produce a lower whole-window U-Value. It can also be worse in some configurations — which is why the useful answer comes from analysing the actual system at the actual size.
Put more design and supplier options
back into the project.
If the project already has U-Value or SHGC criteria, custom analysis can test real proposed windows against those criteria rather than stopping at a catalogue benchmark.
Compare more window suppliers
A supplier whose standard-size published result looks marginal may still meet the project requirement at the dimensions actually being installed. The opposite can also occur.
Revisit frame and glazing choices
Analyse alternative frame materials, glass make-ups and systems against the actual window schedule before ruling options in or out.
Protect larger architectural openings
Where the custom result improves at larger dimensions, it may help retain the opening size the architect wants without automatically moving to a more expensive window system.
Understand the home more realistically
Use more representative window information when considering the thermal performance of a highly glazed or architecturally ambitious home.
One analysis.
Different project decisions.
Architects
Test whether the actual window and door schedule can meet performance criteria while preserving opening sizes, aesthetics, system choice and supplier flexibility.
Builders
Evaluate proposed substitutions or alternative suppliers against project U-Value and SHGC requirements using the dimensions that will actually be built.
Homeowners
Understand whether the windows selected for a custom or architectural home are likely to perform differently from the standard figures shown in product literature.
From window schedule
to custom U-Value report.
- Send the project informationWindow and door schedule, drawings, target U-Values / SHGCs and any energy-report criteria.
- Define the systems being consideredFrame system, opening type, glazing, spacer and nominated project dimensions.
- Analyse the actual sizesCalculate the complete product performance at the dimensions relevant to the project.
- Compare the project optionsSee which nominated systems meet the target and where additional supplier or material choices may become possible.
- Receive a clear reportProject-specific U-Value and SHGC information with the analysis basis and reporting status clearly identified.
What can the window choice change
for the architectural home?
Window size, orientation, glazing and frame performance can materially affect the thermal model of a home. This becomes especially relevant on highly glazed architectural projects where windows and doors make up a significant part of the envelope.
We can help architects, builders and homeowners compare how different window and door choices affect the dwelling model and give the project team performance information they can understand and use.