44 Ways #21: Review Your Window Selection

Hello! This is Episode 421. This is Way #21 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Five: The Building Envelope.

Way #21 is: Review Your Window Selection.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/421]

In my experience, as people go to design their new build or renovation, it can be all about maximising the indoor / outdoor connection, and having a home that feels light-filled and expansive.

And so, the glass windows and doors you choose, in their size, arrangement, design, functionality and type, all become really important decisions in achieving this in your home.

And, they’re likely to take a big chunk of your building budget.

However, glass windows and doors are also where the majority of uncontrolled heat gain and heat loss happens in a home. They sit at the intersection of the envelope performance issues we’re covering in this section: thermal performance, ventilation, airtightness, and moisture management.

And yet, most homeowners haven’t been given the information they need to make deliberate choices about them.

In this episode I focus on the envelope performance side: thermal properties, airtightness, and ventilation. Because when you’re thinking about your glass windows and doors, you’re possibly not asking questions about these things, and they’ll make the biggest difference to how your home performs.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/421.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: