What you should know about glazing performance

• 35% of heat loss is related to doors and windows with standard glazing.
• Glazing represents nearly 75% of a window's surface area.
• General comfort will be increased with
  a high-quality thermal insulation window,
  because the temperature of the glass
  will be warmer.
• The purchase of a high-performance thermal insulation window will soon pay for itself in savings on heating costs—up to 20% annually.

Components of an energy-efficient
thermal insulation window

• High energy performance glass has a coating that is commonly called low-emissivity window glass or Low-e. This coating is made up of a layer of metallic oxide transparent to short solar rays that allows light and most of the sun's rays through.

  

  However, this coating is opaque to long infrared rays, so it prevents the rays emitted by the contents of rooms to escape to the outside.
  (Figure 1) In winter, it minimizes heat loss, maximizes the contribution of solar heat gain, and increases interior comfort by reducing condensation. In summer, it helps keep the inside cool by preventing outside heat from penetrating into the house. Heat travels from a higher temperature to a lower one. So, in winter, the problem isn't the cold that enters a room, but the heat that leaves it.
• The inclusion of argon gas between the panes of glass reduces heat loss and contributes to better soundproofing. Argon is an inert gas, more stable than air, so there are no convection effects that give the sensation of cold drafts in a room. When it is inserted in a well sealed unit (double sealing / Figure 2), total leakage of this gas is 10% over a 20 year period.
• The thermal insulation window's PVC spacers (Figure 3) help to eliminate condensation in cold weather. These spacer bars between the panes of the sealed unit are 25 times less conductive than metal spacers, thus making it possible to keep the surfaces of the panes of glass warmer. In addition, they contain a drying agent that absorbs the humidity between the glass panes.

, exclusif à Bastille

Triple Max is a triple thermal insulation window, made of two Low-e glass panes,
two PVC spacers, and argon gas sealed between the panes. Total thickness of the triple glazing is 1 3/8".

• Higher energy savings
• Better soundproofing between the inside and the outside
• Increased interior comfort
• Keeps the ambient humidity level between 40% and 50% in winter and reduces condensation problems, making it possible to reduce respiratory problems and static caused by an environment that is too dry.
• In summer, these windows reduce air conditioning costs for houses with
  a southern exposure.

Our windows are designed using the Therma-Luxa process which allows an increase
in solar heat gain of 20 to 25% (Figure 4). In this exclusive Bastille process,
we maximize the surface of the glazing, but still retain maximum solidity and rigidity of the window.

The ER number, your best guide

The ER number is a better guide than the R-value traditionally used in this field.

Bastille windows have a very high ER number because they are made by combining energy efficiency elements and are assembled according
to the highest standards in the industry.

The ER number (energy rating) measures the window's overall performance. It measures the window's capacity to allow solar heat gain; prevent heat loss through frames, spacers, and glass;
and contain air leakage heat loss. A high ER number indicates that a window provides
a house with more heat than it lets escape during the cold season.

Whatever material you choose for the frame and casement, remember that the ER number is the best guide to the windows' energy performance.

Replacing your windows with high-quality products will increase the resale value of your property. Opting for energy-efficient Bastille windows means giving yourself the best quality/price ratio possible. You will recover your investment in the short term with substantial energy savings right from the start.

Bastille supports the stasndards of excellence of the Energy Star® program.
Several Bastille products have been approved by this program.