Windows in new buildings
What do I need to know? What are the best windows?
You're building a house: It should be your dream home! There are lots of decisions to make – decisions that will shape your standard of living for years and decades to come. This is particularly true of your choice of windows! After all, windows have a major impact on the feel-good factor of your home: especially when it comes to safety, ventilation, design and, above all, heat insulation. Window systems by aluplast offer all of this and more. Find out for yourself! You won't regret it.
Find out more about the added value of windows
Terminology for the new building sector
EnEV: When planning new buildings in Germany, the maximum admissible total energy
consumption for a house/flat specified in the German EnEV (Energy Conservation Regulation) has to be taken
into account. The EnEV does not specify any precise values for windows as an individual component.
Nevertheless, the U-value (1.3 W/m²K) used in the sample building set out in the EnEV has become the
standard upper threshold for windows.
KfW: The promotional programmes offered
by KfW (a German bank specialising in development) requires energy consumption to be lower than the figures
set out in the current German EnEV (Energy Conservation Regulation). Reaching this level entitles builders
to certain funding options offered by KfW, such as reduced-interest loans. In principle, these programmes
have replaced home funding measures in Germany and increased demand in KfW funding programmes (see also
www.kfw.de).
Passive house: Passive houses are buildings that are not equipped with
any conventional heating systems.To generate warmth, passive houses often use energy from the sun's rays,
for example by fitting large windows along the southern facade. They tend not to have any windows on the
north-facing side or, if they do, the windows tend to be very small as very few solar gains are available.
A range of specifications relating to window design apply to passive houses. For example, KfW requires a
maximum Uw-value of 0.8 W/m²K to be eligible for funding while the privately-run Passive House Institute by
Dr. Feist defines additional requirements for individual components, which often increase the price of
these elements. The ift (the German Institute for Window Technology) has also published a new policy for
passive-house windows, which is more or less the average of the two standards described above. For window
fabricators, it is important to note which variant is required, as the requirements in the tender
information must be fulfilled regardless of other alternatives.
Zero-energy houses:
In contrast to passive houses, zero-energy houses go one better when it comes to their energy footprint.
This means they generally consume the amount of energy that has been produced.
Plus-energy
houses: Prefabricated home companies are already offering plus-energy houses. This term refers
to houses that generate more energy than they need for normal use so that any extra can be fed back into
the mains network, for example. These houses are insulated in accordance with passive house standard but
include additional technology (photovoltaic plants, etc.).
System recommendations for new buildings
energeto 5000 view | 70 mm construction depth - For sleek design
energeto 5000 view | 70 mm construction depth - For sleek design
Are you a fan of sleek design? Do you want to create a home that is full of clean, crisp lines? Then look no further than the energeto® 5000 view!Find out more >>
energeto 8000 | 85 mm construction depth - The best window for your passive house
energeto 8000 | 85 mm construction depth - The best window for your passive house
As the only complete window system made from PVC, energeto® 8000 foam inside has received the Dr Feist passive house certificate, making it the best passive house window in its class.Find out more >>
IDEAL 7000 | 85 mm construction depth - A reliable fit for your new home
IDEAL 7000 | 85 mm construction depth - A reliable fit for your new home
A reliable choice for new buildings: The tried-and-tested IDEAL® 7000 ensures a high-quality standard of living and impressive energy efficiency.Find out more >>
IDEAL 8000 | 85 mm construction depth - For added safety
IDEAL 8000 | 85 mm construction depth - For added safety
Excellent insulation values and added safety make this system ideal for new buildings.Find out more >>
Other systems suitable for new buildings
It almost goes without saying that our low construction depth systems are ideal for your new home; energeto® 4000, energeto® 5000, IDEAL 4000 and IDEAL 5000 are all suitable for this area. Find out more about these systems on the relevant product pages.