Can a glass half-timbered house be energy efficient? I found out the main nuances of the technology, on which the result depends.

Now, many, as a dream home, will have an association with just such a glass house. And for me, as a self-builder (that is, I know something about a construction site from the inside), only questions arise about such structures ...

The image is taken as an example from Yandex Pictures.

Friends, a big hello to everyone. Yes, this is an inconvenient word "half-timbered" (before I took up this article, I always said "HaFwerk" 🙄), has now become some kind of frequently mentioned, one might even say fashionable ...

❗ Although many do not know that initially, this technology had nothing to do with glass walls.

For a very long time in Europe, houses were built, the basis of which was a wooden frame, and some solid material (stone, brick, clay) acted as filling. This is called a half-timbered house. The main feature is that the frame was not hidden, but protruded outward, in which way, becoming a bright element of the outdoor decor.

That is, in fact, a half-timbered house is a kind of frame house, but with features.

As for today ...

• In our time, half-timbered houses are built on the basis of glued beams (it is more stable).
• Modern, energy-efficient materials (mineral wool, EPPS, PIR plates) are used as a filler between the posts and jibs.
• Well, a large glazing area is a distinctive feature.

✅ And personally, I always had a question about the last point.

What kind of "special" glasses are put there, that it is not cold in winter, and in summer you do not feel like in a greenhouse?

• Firstly, the glass itself is tempered, or triplex (laminated glued glass). The thickness can be from 3 to 12 mm. Double-glazed windows themselves with the required number of chambers (from 2 to 5) are already made from it.
• The space of the chambers is filled with a special gas that reduces thermal conductivity.
• At the same time, different spraying on glasses is used, which also improve energy efficiency indicators.

But even with all these technologies, a miracle cannot happen.

Subject to all these rules, the coefficient of resistance to heat transfer of double-glazed windows can reach a value of 1.4(this is the best variant).

✅ Given that, for example, a common version of aerated concrete wall (density D400, thickness 400 mm), has a heat transfer resistance coefficient of 3.58.

And do not forget about the main criterion of the final result - it is a high-quality installation.

And this may be the most problematic.

✔ Considering the fact that double-glazed windows are installed directly into the frame (without frames), the qualifications of the installers should be quite high.

✔ In this case, the materials used (sealants, seals) must be of very good quality.

It is on this that most of the problems can begin when a client pours money into good double-glazed windows, and then saves on seemingly trifles. But these "little things" can threaten with early repairs, and alterations, which in relation to this technology are comparable to new construction.

The more beautiful everything is on the outside, the more you need to look closely at the content.

All of the above does not mean that the glass half-timbered house does not take place. It's just that all this beauty has its own nuances in technology, and its price, both in construction and in the maintenance of housing.

Otherwise, we would all have lived in "glass Khrushchevs" for a long time 😁.

Friends, what do you think about half-timbered houses? Write your opinion in the comments, and share your experience, if any. It is always interesting to read and learn something new.

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