Contribution of advanced windows and façades to buildings decarbonization: A comprehensive review

Abstract

On a global level the building sector consumes about 45.00% of energy consumption, contributes about 40.00% to emission, uses 30.00% of water and impacts the environment by generating 30.00% of waste. Although windows are important components of a building that provide natural lighting and ventilation and establish necessary contact with the external environment necessary for healthy indoor ambient, they permit entry of undesirable solar heat in summer and allow escaping heat from the indoor ambient in cold seasons, which aggravate the building needs for energy and increase its contribution to atmospheric emissions. The present investigation provides a review on research, development, and applications of advanced windows in the building sector. The introduction highlights the importance and contribution of advanced glazing technology to improving energy, comfort, and thermal performance of buildings. The review includes natural illumination and ventilation, thermal comfort and discusses the effects of window to wall ratio on natural illumination and ventilation of windows and façades. The review also covers recent developments in glazed windows and façades including performance enhancements by using reflective solar films, vacuum glazing, windows with filling materials, windows with water flow, window with phase change material, window with stagnant inert gas filling, ventilated windows and façades and windows with aerogel. A special section was also included on smart glazing for windows and façades showing the new tendencies and applications in the building industry. Since commercial programs and open access codes are handy tools for simulation and performance calculations a section is dedicated to these codes. The conclusion section contains the most relevant conclusion of the review as well as future trends in research and developments in the area. The topics included in this review can be helpful for experienced and young researchers, practicing engineers and general readers interested in windows and façades.