China and the US are two of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases – combined, they are estimated to create nearly half of all of the emissions worldwide. In November 2014, China and the US met and pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions: China – By 2030: cap carbon emissio
Condensation is moisture that forms on surfaces, particularly windows, when the surface is cooler than the dew point, or the temperature in which water vapor in the air converts into liquid. The amount of condensation that collects on windows can vary significantly depending on the ty
The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics states that two objects in thermal equilibrium with a third system are also in thermal equilibrium with one another. This law is the basis of temperature – temperature flows from hot to cold; therefore, when systems are in thermal equilibrium, they are
If all existing commercial building windows were replaced with triple pane windows, it would save around 1% of the total energy usage in the US, according to 2012 estimates from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Put into perspective, that is roughly equivalent to how muc
Sound ratings were developed by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to standardize the testing and rating of sound transmission for building components, particularly windows. Two sound ratings are mainly
The Empire State Building has over 6,500 windows – and with windows being one of the main causes of poor building energy performance, the historic landmark NYC building had a lot of room for improvement. In 2009, the Empire State Building began work on a retrofit project that would mo
Condensation is the result of water vapor in the air dropping in temperature and becoming liquid water, the phase that is known as the water’s dew point. This accumulation of liquid water can be problematic indoors, such as on window surfaces, and is the result of cold temperatures pr
Solar window film is an adhesive film applied to the exterior of glass windows in an attempt to upgrade a building’s energy performance by controlling the amount of solar energy from the sun from entering the building. While solar film has the benefits of being affordable and quick to
Thermolite has been working on a variety of interesting window installations this summer that shows the versatility that our interior window systems have to offer. Visual appeal is not often thought of as a main benefit of interior window systems, but they can provide a crisp, clean l
As concerns over energy consumption and climate change grow, policy makers continue to be called upon to make their buildings more green, such as through more environmentally friendly energy technologies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In January of 2014, mayors from