Your clients want a passive house – or you yourself are considering this type of construction – but you’re having trouble understanding the concept? Where do you start with the project? Thanks to this article, the passive house will no longer hold any secrets for you!
A passive house: what are we talking about?
Let’s start at the beginning: what is a passive house? Very simply, it’s a building with very low energy consumption. That’s it!
It’s a house with excellent insulation: it retains heat in the winter and stays cool in the summer. In other words, the ideal home, right?
Ideally, the heating in this type of house should come almost entirely from the heat generated inside the home itself. However, be careful not to confuse “passive” with “eco-friendly”; the two can be compatible but are not synonymous.
Note: there are no specific regulations regarding passive houses, but there is a certification label that ensures compliance with the Passivhaus Institute’s standards.
The importance of glazing in a passive house
The quality of the glazing and joinery is a key factor for thermal performance. Windows and frames can be a source of energy loss, so it’s important to choose them carefully from the design phase or during renovation.
What criteria should you use to choose the right glazing
To make the right choice, here are some criteria to consider for your project:
– The solar factor (Sw) should be above 0.5: choose glass that lets in at least 50 % of the sun’s heat to ensure good gains in winter.
– The thermal transmittance (Ug) should be no higher than 0.9.
The advantages of good glazing for energy savings
In a passive house, windows are not just comfort elements: they are real drivers of energy efficiency. By choosing triple glazing with low-emissivity, you directly impact the building’s overall energy consumption. Here’s why:
– Enhanced thermal insulation: reduces heat loss in winter and keeps interiors cool in summer.
– Optimized solar gain: allows the sun’s heat to enter in winter, reducing heating needs.
– Energy savings: less heating and air conditioning = lower bills.
– Reduced carbon footprint: lower energy consumption, aligned with environmental goals.
– Improved acoustic comfort: especially useful in noisy areas.
Choosing the right glass is therefore essential to meet the requirements of a passive house that is efficient, comfortable, and sustainable.
Types of glazing suitable for passive houses
Passive houses require more efficient openings than traditional standards: the goal is to minimize losses while benefiting from solar gains. So you should choose:
– Triple glazing with reinforced insulation (Low-E): the preferred choice for passive houses, with very low thermal transmittance (Uw).
– Solar control glass: limits summer overheating while still allowing light to pass through.
– Argon or krypton gas filling: improves insulation between glass panes.
– “Warm edge” spacers: reduce thermal bridging around the frame edges.
Double glazing vs triple glazing: which should you choose?
Double glazing is the standard today, but in a passive house it quickly shows its limits. Generally, triple glazing offers better thermal performance (lower Uw), better acoustic comfort, but usually lower solar gain and higher cost.
➡️ Conclusion: for a passive house, triple glazing remains the best option, especially if it is well oriented and carefully installed.
Specific glazing options to maximize efficiency
To go further in energy efficiency, you can choose:
– Low-emissivity coatings (Low-E): an invisible thin layer that reflects heat back into the interior.
– Optimized solar factor (g): to better regulate the thermal gain from the sun.
– Rare gas filling (argon/krypton/xenon): improves insulation between the panes.
– Self-cleaning glass: convenient for large glazed surfaces and fixed windows that are hard to access.
These options allow you to fine-tune your choice according to the climate zone and building orientation.
Installation and maintenance of high-performance windows
Energy performance does not depend only on the choice of glass: installation and maintenance play a key role in the overall efficiency of your windows.
Tips for successful installation
– Hire a certified professional (RGE, for example) to ensure installation meets airtightness standards.
– Make sure the windows are properly integrated into the home’s insulation envelope.
– Use airtightness products (expanding tapes, sealants) suitable for passive houses.
– Consider the orientation of the windows to optimize free solar gain in winter.
– Don’t overlook shutters or external solar protections: they enhance thermal performance (wood, aluminum, or PVC).
How to maintain your windows to ensure durability
Clean your windows, glass doors, or large panes regularly with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner.
Check the condition of the seals: they ensure protection against air and moisture infiltration.
Lubricate hardware once a year to avoid friction or jamming.
Monitor condensation: excessive presence can indicate poor airtightness or inadequate ventilation.
Summary: making the right choices for a passive building
Choosing the right glazing for a passive house means investing in optimal thermal comfort, lower energy bills, and better quality of life. To sum up:
– Choose triple glazing for its high thermal performance.
– Pay attention to installation: it must be precise and perfectly airtight.
– Maintain your windows regularly to preserve their efficiency over time.
And if you’re unsure, contact us!