Re: [GBlist] Insulating window shutters

[Stephen Thwaites <stephen@thermotechwindows.com>]

Although i've heard rumours of thermal shocks due to opening shutters, i
think as long as you don't get too ambitious w/ the insulating value of
the shutters, then you'll be OK.  

Even if you are starting w/ double glazed windows (R-2) and you add an
R-3 shutter you'll have larger net solar gain than a triple glazed
window w/ 1 low e. (higher day time gains, equivalent night time losses)

In any event I would suggest opening the shutter slowly. 

I would be more concerned about forgetting to open the shutters on a
sunny day.  I would guess that the heat build-up even with a light
coloured shutter poses a greater risk of cracking the glass than merely
opening a shutter. 

good luck

Stephen Thwaites P.Eng.
Thermotech Windows Ltd.
Ottawa Ontario, Canada
613.225.1101

"Staniland, Rob" wrote:
> 
> I am considering building insulating window shutters (interior) for the
> large number of windows in my passive solar plan house.  I've seen a few
> designs but still struggle with a few issues, namely: how to get a good
> airseal with the trim-- frost buildup is huge here (outside temps routinely
> lower than -20 to -30C), and how will the windows respond to the temperature
> shock should I open the shutter and expose the window to the 40 to 50C
> differential?
> 
> Exterior shutters would eliminate the ice buildup issue, but nor the
> temperature gradient.  They'd be tough to place, and I'm not planning on
> leaving the windows shuttered on a sunny day.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Rob Staniland
> Calgary, Alberta, Canada
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________