Passive House Windows
Achieve maximum energy efficiency
What is a passive house?
Passive houses represent the pinnacle of energy-efficient building design, adhering to stringent requirements established by the Passive House Institute (PHI). Originating in Germany during the 1990s, the passive house movement has evolved into a globally recognized standard for energy savings and environmental sustainability, revolutionizing how we approach building design and construction. These innovative structures, also known as passive homes, are engineered to be remarkably less reliant on regular heating and cooling systems, setting them apart from conventional house windows and windows for homes.
Through advanced architectural principles and superior materials, passive houses maintain optimal interior comfort naturally, staying pleasantly cool during summer months and comfortably warm in winter. This exceptional performance enables them to achieve impressive energy efficiency improvements of up to 90% compared to traditional construction methods. The remarkable efficiency of passive houses is achieved through an integrated approach combining sophisticated fresh-air ventilation systems, cutting-edge solar technology, and advanced heat loss reduction systems.
A crucial component of this system is the installation of highly insulated windows and doors, particularly passive house windows certified to meet strict performance criteria. These windows, along with passive house doors, play a vital role in maintaining the building envelope and ensuring optimal thermal insulation.
Key features and benefits
According to the Passive House Institute’s rigorous standards, windows qualifying for “passive house window” certification must incorporate excellently insulated profiles and feature specialized low-e glass filled with either argon gas or krypton gas. These passive house windows must achieve specific thermal performance metrics, with U-values (measuring hourly heat loss per square meter) not exceeding approximately 0.8 W/(m²K). The U-value is a crucial indicator of a window’s energy efficiency, with lower values indicating better insulation properties.
At our German headquarters, where passive house experts continuously refine our products, numerous window profiles in the Rollplast collection are passive house certified and exceed these demanding specifications. Our windows not only meet but often surpass ENERGY STAR requirements, ensuring top-tier energy performance.
The Kommelring 88 uPVC window, one of our premier European passive house windows, exemplifies this commitment to excellence. Regular windows pale in comparison to the sophisticated engineering of passive house windows, which boast significantly higher R-values. The R-value, which measures thermal resistance, is inversely related to the U-value, with higher R-values indicating better insulation.
Superior glazing
Our passive house windows, also known as Passivhaus windows, represent the cutting edge of window technology. The Kommerling 88, a standout in our windows for passive house construction collection, features advanced triple glazed windows with three panes of precision-engineered glass. The carefully calculated spaces between these panes are filled with inert gases like argon or krypton, chosen for their exceptional thermal properties, creating an almost impenetrable barrier against heat transfer. This sophisticated design enables our windows to achieve the stringent passive house U-values required for certification.
The engineering of passive house windows certified products goes beyond mere insulation. To meet exacting passive house standards and maintain stable interior temperatures that exceed 77 °F no more than 10% of the time annually, these windows incorporate precisely calculated angles. This thoughtful window frame design maximizes beneficial solar heat gain coefficient during winter months while minimizing unwanted heat absorption during summer.
Reduced energy costs
The superior insulation properties of passive house windows translate directly into substantial economic benefits. While passive house windows cost may initially be higher than standard windows, the long-term savings are significant. These well-insulated windows create an effective thermal envelope, preventing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This results in dramatically reduced reliance on mechanical heating and cooling systems, leading to considerable savings on energy bills throughout the building’s lifetime.
Additional chambers
The exceptional performance of passive house certified windows is largely attributed to their sophisticated multi-layered profile design. This advanced construction allows buildings to effectively self-regulate interior temperatures through passive means. Our premium passive house windows, exemplified by the Kommerling 88 model, incorporate an innovative 6-chamber system enhanced with carbon fiber inserts. This cutting-edge design effectively prevents heat transfer through conduction and eliminates the risk of thermal bridging, a common efficiency loss point in conventional windows.
Durable low-maintenance
The engineering excellence of passive house windows extends beyond their thermal performance to include exceptional durability and minimal maintenance requirements. Constructed from premium materials and manufactured to exacting standards, these windows are designed to maintain their performance characteristics and aesthetic appeal for decades, making them a wise long-term investment for any passive house project.
European passive house windows from Rollplast are crafted with exceptional attention to detail and are available in a comprehensive range of premium materials, including state-of-the-art vinyl, robust aluminum, sophisticated aluminum-clad vinyl, and elegant aluminum-clad wood configurations. Our aluminum-clad models represent the perfect fusion of durability and aesthetics, featuring a resilient aluminum exterior while showcasing either the natural warmth of wood or the modern appeal of vinyl on the interior surfaces. Each material option has been carefully selected and engineered to meet the demanding requirements of passive house windows certified by international standards.
These meticulously crafted passive house windows demonstrate outstanding weather-resistant properties and superior structural integrity, making them ideal for both residential and commercial applications. The carefully engineered construction ensures these windows remain a versatile and long-lasting investment, capable of withstanding diverse environmental conditions while maintaining optimal performance. The innovative exterior surfaces, whether metallic or vinyl, have been specifically designed to minimize maintenance requirements, typically necessitating only basic cleaning with a soft cloth and mild soap solution to remove environmental debris, resulting in significant time and cost savings over the lifetime of the installation.
The Rollplast difference
At Rollplast, we understand that every project is unique, which is why our high-performance windows for passive house construction can be fully customized to meet specific architectural requirements. Our comprehensive customization options extend to every aspect of the window design, from precise RAL color matching to handle selection and additional features such as integrated fly screens and roller shutters. For a detailed exploration of available options or to discuss your specific project requirements, our expert window team is readily available to provide comprehensive consultation and a detailed, no-obligation quote.
Opt for expertise – Choosing Rollplast Canada means choosing 22 years of German window expertise and tried and tested products developed with the latest innovative and energy-efficient technology. Our commitment to excellence has made us a trusted provider of passive house windows that architects and builders rely on for achieving optimal energy efficiency and thermal comfort.
A selection of profiles
The selection of aluminum, vinyl, aluminum-clad wood, and aluminum-clad vinyl passive house triple-glazed windows represents our commitment to providing versatile solutions for diverse architectural requirements. Each material configuration offers distinct advantages: vinyl profiles deliver superior thermal performance metrics essential for passive house certification, aluminum frames provide enhanced structural integrity and impact resistance crucial for commercial applications, while aluminum-clad wood combines high performance with the timeless appeal of natural wood interiors.
With multiple profiles available from our trusted passive house window manufacturers, clients can select the perfect combination of performance characteristics and aesthetic appeal to match their specific project requirements and design preferences. Our windows are designed to complement biophilic design principles, allowing ample natural light while maintaining excellent energy efficiency.
FAQs
How much do passive house standard windows cost?
When considering passive house windows cost, it’s important to understand that these high-performance windows represent a long-term investment in energy efficiency and building sustainability. While initial costs may be higher than conventional windows, the superior performance and durability of European passive house windows typically result in significant energy savings over time, making them a cost-effective choice for passive house projects.
The best passive house windows with their exceptionally low U-values represent a significant initial investment in your project’s energy efficiency. While the upfront passive house windows cost may be higher compared to conventional windows, this investment proves highly advantageous when considering the substantial long-term benefits. The superior thermal performance of these windows translates into remarkable energy savings over the building’s lifetime, while their robust construction ensures exceptional durability and minimal maintenance requirements.
At Rollplast, we understand that each project has unique requirements, which is why our passive house windows-certified products can be fully customized to your specifications. Our extensive customization options include a comprehensive selection of RAL colors, sophisticated handle designs, and various functional features. The final cost varies depending on the chosen profile model, dimensions, and specific customization requirements – we encourage you to connect with our expert team for a detailed consultation and receive a personalized, no-obligation quote tailored to your project needs.
What U-value can a passive window from Rollplast achieve?
U-values are crucial performance indicators that measure the rate of heat loss per hour per square metre through building components. All our European passive house windows are engineered to achieve the stringent low U-values required for passive house certification. The specific thermal performance values vary across different profiles and materials, allowing architects and builders to select the optimal solution for their projects.
Our premium Kommerling 88 and Schuco AWS 80 SI profiles represent the pinnacle of thermal efficiency in our collection, achieving an impressive U-value of 0.73 W/(m²K). This exceptional performance makes it an ideal choice for passive house windows professionals rely on for their most demanding projects, particularly in regions with extreme climate conditions. The low U-value is achieved through a combination of advanced glazing units, insulated frames, and high-performance spacer systems.
Can passive house windows be opened?
Windows for passive house construction are designed with both performance and functionality in mind. These windows can indeed be opened, which is essential for maintaining optimal indoor air quality and managing humidity levels effectively. The ability to open windows also contributes to the overall ventilation system of a passive house, complementing mechanical ventilation for enhanced airtightness and energy efficiency.
At Rollplast, we offer various opening mechanisms to suit different architectural and user requirements. Our most popular option is the sophisticated tilt and turn mechanism, which combines security with user-friendly operation. This innovative design allows for both full opening of the window and secure ventilation in the tilt position, providing flexibility in managing indoor climate conditions while maintaining the superior thermal performance expected from passive house windows.
The design of our operable passive house windows takes into account factors such as condensation resistance and passive solar heating, ensuring that even when opened, they contribute to the overall energy efficiency and comfort of the building. The window installation process is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the building envelope, and our team of experts ensures that each window is installed to the highest standards, maximizing its performance and longevity.