WINDOW 6.2 (6.2.33) and THERM 6.2 (6.2.18)
Research Versions

August 2009

Last Updated: 09/10/2009

The Research Versions for WINDOW 6.2 and THERM 6.2 have been developed to model complex glazing systems, in particular venetian blinds.

The algorithms used in the Research Versions of WINDOW6 and THERM6 to determine the properties of windows with shading layers are relatively new and should be considered as informative but not definitive. As such, for windows with shading layers, the results are intended for research purposes only. Pending further validation efforts, results for windows with shading layers should not be used for National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certified calculations or design decisions in real buildings. All calculations for products without shading layers are identical to those from WINDOW 5.2 and THERM 5.2.

GET A COPY of WINDOW 6.2  
 (Download the program)

Version 6.2.33:

  • Added ability to model 10 layer in the Glazing System Library
  • Numerical precision set in Preferences carries over into the Shading Layer Library for woven shade definitions for diameter, spacing and thickness
  • Numerous bugs have been fixed
  • Compatible with NFRC CMAST software

THERM 6.2.18
 (Program Information)

DOCUMENTATION
(PDF file of draft documentation explaining program changes and enhancements from WINDOW 5 -- it is included in the program installation)

Knowledge Base

The issues discussed in this Knowledge Base are specific to the new features or issues with WINDOW version 6. For discussions of more general WINDOW issues, which probably apply to both versions 5 and 6 of WINDOW, see the Knowledge Base for WINDOW 5.2

 
 
 
 
 

DOE2 and EnergyPlus

The Research Version of WINDOW 6 can generate the standard window description file for either DOE2 or EnergyPlus for "simple" windows, i.e., those without shading layers (venetian blinds, woven shades, frits, etc). This file is the same file that is produced by the WINDOW 5 program.

However, for "complex glazings", i.e., windows that include shading layers (such as venetian blinds, woven shades, frits, etc), WINDOW 6 currently does not produce results that can be used by either the DOE2 or EnergyPlus programs. This is something that is in development, but in the mean time, if you try to generate either a DOE2 or EnergyPlus file from the Window Library, WINDOW6 will show a message saying "Energy Plus and DOE-2 reports are not currently available for windows with shading layers".

Gas Library Problem with Gas Mixtures

The Gas Library that is included in the installation of this version of WINDOW 6 has incorrectly defined gas mixtures. Record
# 7, "Air (12%) / Argon (22%) / Krypton (66%) Mix" and record # 8, "Air (5%) / krypton (95%) Mix" are not properly defined. It is possible to edit them to correct them to their proper mixtures, or download this Gas Mixtures database (a zip file called
W6-1-06-GasMixtures.zip which contains a WINDOW database called W6-1-06-GasMixtures.mdb), and use the Import button on the List View of the Gas Library, to import those two records from that database into your Gas Library.

Updating the Glass Library to the Current IGDB Version

To update the WINDOW 6 Glass Library to the current IGDB version, follow the instructions for updating WINDOW 5.

Frit Bug

When a frit layer is imported into the Glass Library, even thought you can specify the properties for Tb (back transmittance), the resulting layer in the glass library has the same front and back reflectance. This happens both for visible and for solar.

EN 673 / ISO 10077 -- Using WINDOW 6 and THERM 6 for EN 673 / ISO 10077 Calculations

If you are interested in using WINDOW 6 and THERM 6 for EN 673 / ISO 10077 calculations, we have added that option to WINDOW 6. The calculation is not fully automated in the program yet, so there are many steps and a spreadsheet for the final calculation. We are interested in feedback (email WINDOWHelp@lbl.gov) about the process and the results from anyone who tests this feature.

Download this zip file (EN673-1007.zip) which contains the following:

  • Description of how to use WINDOW 6 and THERM 6 for the EN 673 / ISO 10077 calculations (PDF file)
    (EN673+ISO 10077_Using THERM+WINDOW-LBNL_rev4.pdf)
     

  • Spreadsheet for using WINDOW 6 and THERM 6 results to calculate final EN 673 / ISO 10077 results
    (EN673+ISO10077_WINDOW6.xls)
     

  • Sample WINDOW 6 database with EN 673 / ISO 10077 definitions for Gasses and Environmental Conditions
    (W6-CEN.mdb -- is updated to IGDB 15.5 )
     

  • Sample THERM 6 files with CEN Boundary Conditions and Frame Cavities
    (sample-sill-CEN.THM and sample-sill-Calibration-CEN.THM)

Changes from WINDOW 6 Research Version (6.1.02)

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Fixed a bug related to fritted glass

Changes from WINDOW 6 Research Version (6.0.32)

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Woven Shades were added as a shading type in the Shading System Library.

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Fritted Glass was added as a shading type in the Shading System Library
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In File, Preferences, Thermal Model, an option was added for a Convective Scalar model. See the manual for a description. This will change the answers for calculations with shading systems.

Changes from Previous Version of WINDOW 6 Research Version (6.0.28)
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The directional diffuse model for venetian blinds is implemented in this version. The previous version defaulted to 'uniform diffuse' as a method of where the diffuse radiation that hits the slats gets transmitted.
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Fixed the order in which the venetian blind data gets passed to WINDOW 6. This doesn't change hemispherical values, but does change angular output to the correct values
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Documentation of the .csv file (created by WINDOW 6 for the MatrixReader.xls spreadsheet) is added to the technical documentation appendix
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Modifications were made to the quarter and half basis XML files in order to fix some bands where the mid-point was not correctly defined

Bug fixes WINDOW 5.2 (5.2.17a)

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Fixed a bug in Preferences for Nominal Glazing System height. In WINDOW 5.2.17a, even if the "Use Nominal Heights" was not checked, the program would use the values in the "Glazing system height" input box. This has been fixed, so that now the "Glazing system height" value is only used when the "Use Nominal Heights" is checked.

Complex Glazing Features for WINDOW6

The Research Version of WINDOW 6 has the following modeling capabilities:

Shading Layer Library:

  • A Shading Layer Library has been added to define shading systems, such as venetian blinds and diffusing layers, which can then be added as layers in the Glazing System Library.

Shade Material Library:

  • A Shading Material Library has been added to define materials to be used in the Shading Layer Library. Properties defined in this library include shade material reflectance and absorptance (in the solar, visible and IR wavelengths ranges), as well as the conductivity of the material.

Glazing System Library

  • In the “Layers” section of the Glazing System definition, it is now possible to specify either a glass layer or a shading layer. The shading system is chosen from the Shading Layer Library.

Glass Library

  • It is now possible to define a diffusing layer in the Glass Library, for use in the definition of complex glazing systems.

Calculation Results

  • The program now produces detailed “matrix” calculation for complex glazing systems. These results consist of one file that contains a large amount of data.

  • An Excel spreadsheet has been developed  to view these results outside the program.

Program Settings:

  • Preferences:  A Matrix Calculation method option has been added for the complex glazing system calculations, which is the method that calculates the angular effects (both optical and thermal) of venetian blinds.

Last Updated: 09/10/2009