ᐅ Are thermal bridges and air leaks common in windows from the 1960s?
Created on: 17 Jul 2024 15:18
T
TorstenKandt
Hello Forum,
Today, I took thermal images in my new condominium from the 1960s and identified some thermal bridges around the windows (double glazing). Additionally, the windows are drafty even though the seals are new (if you place a sheet of paper in the window, it can be pulled out fairly easily).
I would prefer to install new windows, as I believe repairing 60-year-old windows is not worthwhile. However, the homeowners’ association argues that thermal bridges and drafty windows were completely normal or considered “state of the art” in the 1960s. Is this true? Were wooden windows from the 1960s (when new) already always drafty and showing thermal bridges at the hinges or between the window frame and trim?
The thermal bridges mainly occur at some (but not all) hinges, and between the window frame and the window cladding.
Best regards,
Torsten
Today, I took thermal images in my new condominium from the 1960s and identified some thermal bridges around the windows (double glazing). Additionally, the windows are drafty even though the seals are new (if you place a sheet of paper in the window, it can be pulled out fairly easily).
I would prefer to install new windows, as I believe repairing 60-year-old windows is not worthwhile. However, the homeowners’ association argues that thermal bridges and drafty windows were completely normal or considered “state of the art” in the 1960s. Is this true? Were wooden windows from the 1960s (when new) already always drafty and showing thermal bridges at the hinges or between the window frame and trim?
The thermal bridges mainly occur at some (but not all) hinges, and between the window frame and the window cladding.
Best regards,
Torsten
Malle Zwabber19 Jul 2024 12:02Your quotes in post #3 are not from me but from nordanney. I have absolutely no knowledge about windows.
With a thermal imaging camera, you will always find (unavoidable) thermal bridges around windows... this is true even for the most expensive passive house windows. A house without any thermal bridges does not exist.
The paper strip test can only check whether the seal is in place (i.e., functioning)... the amount of pressure applied to the paper is usually not particularly informative.
Windows can be inspected, serviced, and repaired by qualified professionals, which is usually sufficient.
It is even possible, using complex testing on installed windows, to accurately determine air tightness approximately according to current DIN standards.
In the photos in #4, I believe the windows conform to DIN... the "IV56" windows shown were installed roughly from the late 1970s/early 1980s to the late 1980s/early 1990s. "IV56" was a tested system that easily meets today's air tightness requirements, provided the windows have been properly maintained or are still in good condition.
Glazing units can be replaced so that the windows can almost meet the current mindset requirement for new windows (Uw <1.3), with a Uw value of about 1.3 to 1.5.
The paper strip test can only check whether the seal is in place (i.e., functioning)... the amount of pressure applied to the paper is usually not particularly informative.
Windows can be inspected, serviced, and repaired by qualified professionals, which is usually sufficient.
It is even possible, using complex testing on installed windows, to accurately determine air tightness approximately according to current DIN standards.
In the photos in #4, I believe the windows conform to DIN... the "IV56" windows shown were installed roughly from the late 1970s/early 1980s to the late 1980s/early 1990s. "IV56" was a tested system that easily meets today's air tightness requirements, provided the windows have been properly maintained or are still in good condition.
Glazing units can be replaced so that the windows can almost meet the current mindset requirement for new windows (Uw <1.3), with a Uw value of about 1.3 to 1.5.
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