PVC-aluminium window Kömmerling 88 AluClip

The term spacer refers to the window components that form the transition between the glass surface and the frame profile. They are also responsible for the distance between the individual glass panes of a multiple glazing unit, hence the name. In order to achieve a good U-value and to significantly minimise heat losses at the edge seal, modern spacers are no longer made of aluminium, but of flexible structural foam, composite plastic or plastic-coated stainless steel. These are used when a window is to be produced with what is known as a "warm edge". Passive house standard windows are only possible with such modern spacers.

Windows with an add-on shell

The add-on shell, made from a high-quality aluminium alloy, is clipped onto the outside of the windows and wraps around the sash and outer frame. It gives the window element a durable, weather-resistant surface, a wide choice of colours and easy maintenance. Beneath the shell lies a different core in each case: uPVC or timber.

Wall design with an add-on shell

An add-on shell is a wall cladding that is placed in front of a load-bearing masonry structure and connected to it. This may be done for aesthetic or insulation-related reasons. Common examples of add-on shells are brick facings or timber, sheet-metal or plastic cladding on external walls. Insulation materials applied to the outside, which are then rendered or otherwise clad, also count as an add-on shell.

On internal walls, plasterboard or timber-panel cladding, composite panels or coarse chipboard are used, for example.

Burglary resistance is the property of a window to resist an attempt to gain forcible entry into the room to be protected. The European standard DIN EN 1627 specifies the requirements and the classification of the burglar-resistant properties of door elements, windows, curtain walls, grille elements and shutters. It applies both to opening types such as turning, tilting, folding, turn-tilt, pivoting, sliding and rolling, and to non-opening constructions. In order to identify possible weak points, the overall construction consisting of the frame, glass, locking hardware, etc. is tested. A quantitative assessment of the resistance a construction product can withstand under attack is carried out by dividing it into six resistance classes. These in turn define the resistance times, offender types and further key data, such as the range of tools used.

Burglar-resistant windows have a number of features that can prevent a break-in, such as hardware with mushroom-head cams, anchorings in the masonry at various points of the frame, break-resistant glazing, lockable handles, and window locks such as locking bolts or a rod lock. Purchasing a new burglar-proof window is not always necessary, as existing windows can also be retrofitted.

Window sill, window board, window ledge or window shelf – there are many different terms for the horizontal cladding that finishes off the top of the parapet beneath a window.

The interior window sill is an asset when it comes to interior design. A window sill inside the home fulfils above all a decorative purpose, can add colourful accents and, of course, serves as a surface for placing flowers and decorative items. The interior window sill is usually made horizontal. Suitable materials include natural stone, artificial stone, real wood and PVC-coated compressed wood board.

Our uPVC interior window sills are a far more economical alternative, particularly if you want to fit out several windows. They are available in a wide range of colours and different finishes.

Window sills for outdoor use are, from a purely structural point of view, essential so that the rainwater produced by rain, hail and snow can be drained away and cannot penetrate the wall. This is why the external window sill always has a certain slope and is fitted with a drip groove (drip edge) along its lower edge. Modern external window sills are often an integral part of the window and are permanently connected to the respective outer frame.

Our window sills for outdoor use, made from extruded aluminium by Helopal, provide outstanding weather protection for masonry and parapets in the window area.

Patterned glass is used wherever light should be allowed in but a clear view through is not wanted, for example in bathrooms, doors, cellar windows or as a privacy screen within offices. Shower cubicles are also suitable for the installation of textured glass panes, as the light transmittance of the glass makes them appear visually larger without allowing details to be seen. A popular way of separating a space without any loss of light is a partition made from a patterned glass wall – for example between the living and dining areas. Glass of this kind can certainly be regarded as an original decorative feature – for example as shelving, table tops and so on.

By choosing patterned glass you need not forgo any of the other outstanding qualities of our windows, as patterned glass can be combined with insulating glass and even safety glass. When combined with thermal insulation glass (insulating glass), the rough side faces the cavity between the panes, so that the surface of the finished product is smooth on both sides and easy to clean.

At FENSTERNORM you can choose from a wide range of patterned glass .

Originally, only small panes of glass could be manufactured, and glazing bars served as dividers. Nowadays, glazing bars are used predominantly for aesthetic reasons.

A distinction is made between three different types:

Genuine or glass-dividing bars

This refers to a type of bar that divides the glass, so that each bar field is fitted with an individual pane. Windows made up of several small panes are rarely found these days. This method of construction closely resembles the original way of manufacturing and is therefore also very labour-intensive. In addition, heat loss is greatest with the glass-dividing bar variant. Every interruption of the pane is in direct contact with the outside of the window, and this creates a cold bridge.

Imitation or bonded-on bars

The so-called “Viennese bar” (Wiener Sprosse) is counted among the imitation glazing bars and represents the affordable alternative to genuine glazing-bar windows. This type of bar is visually indistinguishable from glass-dividing bars and is ideal for recreating slim bars. The surface-mounted bars are simply bonded onto the glass and merely sealed with silicone. For this reason, they have no effect on the insulating properties of the glazing.

This type of bar looks particularly attractive on country-style houses or restored buildings that are listed as protected monuments. They give the entire building an exceptional and historic appearance.

Internal bars

Internal bars are inserted as a bar grid inside the glazing. This eliminates the labour-intensive upkeep of the bar construction. A particular feature of bars located within the cavity between the panes is that, with triple glazing, the bar is placed in only one of the two cavities between the panes.

Today, glazing-bar windows are used predominantly in the renovation of listed buildings and, in new builds, serve more as a design feature. In doing so, they lend the window and the entire building a distinctive character.

At Fensternorm, you can choose as standard between internal bars in a width of 18 mm or 8 mm and surface-mounted bars in a width of 26 mm. Of course, we will endeavour to fulfil (almost) any other size requirement you may have.

The OIB guidelines serve to harmonise the building regulations in Austria and are issued by the Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering (Österreichisches Institut für Bautechnik). The most recent edition dates from 2011.

OIB Guideline 6 "Energy Saving and Thermal Insulation" defines requirements for the thermal-energy quality of buildings. This was introduced on the basis of the requirements of the EU Buildings Directive, setting the course towards overall energy efficiency. In future, not only the heating demand will be taken into account for overall energy efficiency, but also hot water, ventilation, cooling and electricity demand, as well as photovoltaic yields.

The EnEV has been mandatory for building owners and those involved in construction since 1 May 2014. It combines the former Thermal Insulation Ordinance and the previously applicable Heating Systems Ordinance and sets requirements for energy-efficient construction. The legal basis of the EnEV is the Energy Saving Act (EnEG).

The most recent edition of the EnEV from 2014 stipulates which standard building requirements developers must meet in order to achieve an efficient operational energy demand for the building.

For new builds, energy demand is reduced by around 30% compared with today's standard - which means that the so-called low-energy house standard will be the rule in future. An energy performance certificate is provided as evidence, significantly improving transparency in particular for building owners, tenants and the property market.

Several factors are decisive for saving energy in the home. When buying a window, you should pay attention to the following properties, among others, namely U-value, insulation and glazing.