Windows are one of the most confusing—and consequential—components of a high-performance home. In this episode, the crew takes a deep dive into window and glass selection, aiming to make things clear without letting your eyes glaze over.The discussion covers dual-pane versus triple-pane insulated glazing units, IGU numbering conventions, and the relatively new i89 coating—including what it means for thermal performance and condensation risk. They also unpack the difference between center-of-glass values and full-window NFRC performance numbers, and why those distinctions matter when making real design decisions.One gem of a takeaway sums it all up, with Jake quoting Steve: “The windows, the envelope, and the HVAC are one line item.”Pete’s Resources:<ul><li><a href='https://www.cardinalcorp.com/technology/reference/technical-glass-guide/'>Cardinal Glass Technical Guide (2025 Version 3.1)</a></li><li><a href='https://buildingscience.com/documents/bareports/ba-0402-singing-the-blues-in-the-key-of-low-e/view'>BA 0402 “Singing the Blues in the Key of Low-E”</a></li><li><a href='https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44223-022-00009-6'>A Review of Advanced Architectural Glazing Technologies</a></li><li><a href='https://efficientwindowcoverings.org/index.html'>Efficient Window Coverings</a></li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Windows are one of the most confusing—and consequential—components of a high-performance home. In this episode, the crew takes a deep dive into window and glass selection, aiming to make things clear without letting your eyes glaze over.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The discussion covers dual-pane versus triple-pane insulated glazing units, IGU numbering conventions, and the relatively new i89 coating—including what it means for thermal performance and condensation risk. They also unpack the difference between center-of-glass values and full-window NFRC performance numbers, and why those distinctions matter when making real design decisions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One gem of a takeaway sums it all up, with Jake quoting Steve: “The windows, the envelope, and the HVAC are one line item.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Pete’s Resources:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.cardinalcorp.com/technology/reference/technical-glass-guide/'&gt;Cardinal Glass Technical Guide (2025 Version 3.1)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://buildingscience.com/documents/bareports/ba-0402-singing-the-blues-in-the-key-of-low-e/view'&gt;BA 0402 “Singing the Blues in the Key of Low-E”&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44223-022-00009-6'&gt;A Review of Advanced Architectural Glazing Technologies&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href='https://efficientwindowcoverings.org/index.html'&gt;Efficient Window Coverings&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</description>

Windows are one of the most confusing—and consequential—components of a high-performance home. In this episode, the crew takes a deep dive into window and glass selection, aiming to make things clear without letting your eyes glaze over. The discussion covers dual-pane versus triple-pane insulated glazing units, IGU numbering conventions, and the relatively new i89 coating—including what it means for thermal performance and condensation risk. They also unpack the difference between center-of-...

UnBuild It Podcast

146 - A Deep Dive on Windows: Glass, Performance & Condensation

146 - A Deep Dive on Windows: Glass, Performance & Condensation

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