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Green Building Blog

GREEN BUILDING TIP: Pick Windows That Don’t Waste

Windows with internal grilles are more energy efficient than divided-light windows

Energy-saving windows reduce bridging between indoors and out. Placing the grilles between the layers of glass keeps them in the warm zone and reduces thermal bridging compared to true divided-light windows.

True divided-light windows lose more heat.

Heat loss is highest at the edges of window glass. True divided-light windows lose more energy than windows with internal muntins because there are many more edges where heat can escape. Simulated divided-light windows, with the muntins sandwiched between sheets of glass, retain more of the thermal performance of the larger glass size than true divided-light windows. Because National Fenestration Rating Council ratings are not based on divided-light windows, they may overstate the thermal performance of divided-light windows.

—_This GREEN BUILDING TIP is from our Strategy Generator. Build a tip sheet
for your green building or remodeling project under the Strategies & Details tab._


GREEN POINTS

LEED for Homes: Up to 3 points for high-efficiency windows.

NGBS/ICC 700: Depending on the climate zone up to 12 points for windows that meet U-value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient maximums.

LEARN MORE

Windows: Glass, Ratings, and Installation

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Green Window Choices


2 Comments

  1. user-669103 | | #1

    please define terms
    Consumers reading this are unlikely to know what a "divided-light window" is.
    Please define the terms internal muntin, and divided-light.
    thanks

  2. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #2

    Definitions
    Mark,
    A muntin is a strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window sash. Each pane of glass (or each "insulated glazing unit") separated by a muntin is called a light.

    Most modern windows have one light per sash. Because large pieces of glass used to be difficult (or expensive) to make, older sash often had two, four, or six small lights per sash. These multiple-light sash were said to be "divided-light sash" or sometimes "divided-light windows."

    True divided light sash have small panes of glass separated by muntins. Simulated divided-light sash have one large piece of glass with applied grilles that look from a distance like muntins — to give modern windows that "old-timey" look. In some cases, these grilles are placed between two sealed pieces of glass -- these are the "internal muntins" mentioned above.

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