Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/178323
Sun Glow Window Covering Products as shown at the Tip Top Lofts, Toronto. Protection from the Elements Stringent codes and increased demand for high-performance products have resulted in some of the most energy efficient residential windows in the world by Lauren Kramer A s governments and consumers become increasingly energy conscious, windows have been under the spotlight, with more questions being asked about their glazing, heat conduction and environmental friendliness. Building codes and energy requirements are tightening and the result is made-in-Canada windows that are among the most energy ef icient products in the world. Building Codes "There's higher demand for our products as codes and regulations become more stringent," says Mike Battistel, vice-president of Cascadia Windows & Doors in Langley, B.C. "We're also doing a lot more triple-glazing now than we did four years ago, mainly to accommodate passive homes, net-zero-energy projects and large multi-family residential projects that are trying to achieve ASHRAE 90.1 compliance with large glazing areas." Cascadia supplies and installs ibreglass windows and doors in B.C., Alberta, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska and the Yukon. The company recently placed eighth in BCBusiness magazine's 2012 list of 20 most innovative companies and was rated among the top seven most innovative green companies in B.C. by Globe Advisors. Last year, Cascadia won a Sustainable Construction & Innovation Award from the Vancouver Regional Construction Association. Residential Windows p.24-33Windows.indd 25 Residential windows constitute 50 per cent of business, with a strong focus on large multi-family and high-end custom homes. The majority of the company's work in residential windows is split between new construction projects and window renewal projects, and ibreglass products are becoming more popular among consumers. "There's very little heat lost through ibreglass products," Battistel explains. "And our products are certi ied at the highest recognized ratings for rainwater penetration resistance." Other advantages of ibreglass windows include their thermal performance, lower environmental impact, reduced thermal movement, strength, durability and resistance to condensation. The U-value range of a standard double-glazed ibreglass product is between 0.21 and 0.28, but with triple-glazing the ratings can go as low as 0.14 (BTU/hrXsqftX°F). Cascadia windows were used in the Canada Mortgage and Housing's Harmony House Project, which aims to show what is possible in today's homebuilding industry. It represents the irst truly net-zero home on the west coast of North America. As energy requirements become stricter, Battistel predicts manufacturers of aluminum and many vinyl windows will have dif iculty achieving the required energy ratings and will be moving to ibreglass. At Marvin Windows, the 100-year-old company has found its ibreglass windows to be growing in popularity – more so than its other two products: Ultrex, a ibreglass window with wood interior, and its wood windows with aluminum exterior. "With ibreglass, the VOC is not a factor and the windows' strength and longevity are tremendous," says George Leon, branch manager of B.C. operations for the Warroad, Minnesota-based company. "Fibreglass windows will be with a house for the duration of its lifespan, while vinyl windows won't. What's more, ibreglass is very cost-effective so it's becoming a big seller, both for new homes and for renovations." Saving Energy The Natural Resources Canada Of ice of Energy Ef iciency says that heating Canadian homes constitutes up to 52 per cent of homeowners' energy bills, according to Brian Kobialka, architectural manager at All Weather Windows, a window manufacturer based in Edmonton and operating from Vancouver through Halifax. "We've been able to reduce that energy consumption by providing a better insulating window that also takes advantage of passive solar," he says. All Weather offers PVC windows, PVC with aluminum-cladded exterior and aluminum-cladded wood products using hemlock. The PVC products with aluminum-cladded exteriors provide added sustainability, durability over time and the opportunity for dark colours without the risk of premature aging or wear on the vinyl. For the aluminum-clad wood products, the AUGUST 2012 /25 7/13/12 10:03 AM