Hollow vs. Foam-Filled Vinyl Windows

These two windows are the same except for what is inside the vinyl frames. The frame on the left is hollow, while the frame on the right is filled with insulating foam. The units have the same insulated glazing unit, a superwindow with R-8 center of glass. The hollow window frame allows air to circulate inside the frame; this convective effect is observed by noticing the frame temperatures are cooler at the bottom than at the top. The foam-filled window doesnĖt show this effect. These windows are being cooled on the back side with wind at -15°C (5°F).

For more information contact:

Howdy Goudey
Building Technologies Program
510-486-6046 (fax)

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Building Technologies | Energy & Environment Division | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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