A contribution for the quantification of the influence of windows on the airtightness of Southern European buildings

•Application of blower door tests in rooms to assess the windows airtightness.•The contribution of roller-shutters for the air leakage was evaluated.•No window reached the maximum class according to EN 12207 standard.•The key parameters for existing windows airtightness were identified. Adequate air...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy and buildings 2017-03, Vol.139, p.174-185
Main Authors: Almeida, Ricardo M.S.F., Ramos, Nuno M.M., Pereira, Pedro F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airtightness
Blower door
Buildings
Construction
Construction materials
Energy efficiency
Energy management
Environmental quality
Green buildings
Heavy construction
Indoor air quality
Indoor environmental quality
Indoor environments
Leakage
Leaks
Optimization
Permeability
Power efficiency
Pressurization
Roller-shutter
Studies
Windows
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Summary:•Application of blower door tests in rooms to assess the windows airtightness.•The contribution of roller-shutters for the air leakage was evaluated.•No window reached the maximum class according to EN 12207 standard.•The key parameters for existing windows airtightness were identified. Adequate airtightness levels are fundamental for the indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency of buildings. The quantitative characterization of expected leaks of common building elements is useful for practitioners that intend to improve building enclosures for airtightness optimization. This study intends to contribute to the quantification of the permeability of windows with a focus on the Southern European context of low airtightness in heavy construction buildings, where windows play an important role. A large experimental investigation was therefore carried out in 23 spaces, establishing three possible set-ups (nothing sealed, window sealed and window and roller-shutter sealed), using the fan pressurization method. A total of 104 tests were performed. Results revealed that the windows’ permeability indices ranged from 4.8 to 96.4m3/(hm2) and from 1.2 to 30.8m3/(hm), with average values of 28.7m3/(hm2) and 8.9m3/(hm), the roller-shutter contribution can be highly variable; also the year of construction, the frame material and the opening system are the key parameters for the airtightness of windows.
ISSN:0378-7788
1872-6178
DOI:10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.01.012