Glazed windows and doors let in light and fresh air while also providing vistas that connect indoor and outdoor living areas. They may, however, be a significant source of unwanted heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
Glazing may lose up to 40% of a home’s heating energy while gaining up to 87 percent of its heat. The proper glazing solutions for your orientation and climate, as well as the size and position of window openings in your design, can help to solve many of these thermal performance issues.
Use the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS), which ranks different window products based on their energy and energy-related performance.
Skylights may significantly improve energy efficiency and comfort. They are a great source of natural light, perhaps admitting more than three times the amount of light as a vertical window of the same size, and they may also help with natural ventilation.
They may, however, be a significant source of unwanted heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. Sizing and spacing (to reduce glare and heat gain), energy efficiency, and climatic suitability are all factors to consider when choosing among the various skylight alternatives available.