In recent years, the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector has placed a growing emphasis on promoting environmental sustainability throughout the life cycle of buildings. The driver is the possibility to minimize the ecological impact of materials and components, both in their production and operational phases. Transparent glazing systems, such as windows and curtain walls, significantly impact energy consumption and indoor comfort. These effects, particularly during the building's use phase, play a crucial role in determining its overall environmental performance. To achieve the development of sustainable alternatives in glazed closure systems three key objectives are pursued: (i) technological simplification, (ii) enhancing performance (energy, mechanical and environmental), and (iii) extending service life. To evaluate the benefits introduced by new design concepts, also in comparison with traditional systems, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a valuable and well-established tool. In this research, a comparative LCA is performed on two different window concepts. The first one is a traditional window (TW), which uses standard components and assembly techniques. The second concept, called Invisible Window (IW), designed to fit the three abovementioned key objectives and manufactured by the same company, is conceived to have a hidden frame employing adhesive joint technology for component assembly. This study aims to identify the environmental performance of the IW compared to the TW, offering insights into benefits and environmental consequences of embracing cutting-edge solutions in the construction industry, for the promotion of more informed and eco-conscious decision-making. Results show that IW has a higher impact only for Global Warming Potential indicator due to one of the materials employed (wood) and manufacturing phase. However, this result is linked to the choice of Life Cycle Impact Assessment method (EN 15804 + A2 Method V1.00) for which the wood is credited with a carbon storage benefit (carbon sequestration in a plant life cycle), even though a smaller quantity of wood is used for the IW. For all other indicators, the IW performs better than the TW, demonstrating that materials and manufacturing processes related to this new product concept are more suitable from the environmental perspective. In addition, the extended service life of IW lowers the burdens in all indicators, leading to an overall better performance of the new windows concept from a life cycle perspective.

Technical and environmental analysis of an innovative window concept based on a hidden frame: Insights from a life cycle perspective / Agliata, Rosa; Di Giuseppe, Elisa; Favi, Claudio; Munafò, Placido. - In: JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION. - ISSN 0959-6526. - 485:(2024). [10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144424]

Technical and environmental analysis of an innovative window concept based on a hidden frame: Insights from a life cycle perspective

Agliata, Rosa
;
Di Giuseppe, Elisa;Favi, Claudio;Munafò, Placido
2024-01-01

Abstract

In recent years, the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector has placed a growing emphasis on promoting environmental sustainability throughout the life cycle of buildings. The driver is the possibility to minimize the ecological impact of materials and components, both in their production and operational phases. Transparent glazing systems, such as windows and curtain walls, significantly impact energy consumption and indoor comfort. These effects, particularly during the building's use phase, play a crucial role in determining its overall environmental performance. To achieve the development of sustainable alternatives in glazed closure systems three key objectives are pursued: (i) technological simplification, (ii) enhancing performance (energy, mechanical and environmental), and (iii) extending service life. To evaluate the benefits introduced by new design concepts, also in comparison with traditional systems, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a valuable and well-established tool. In this research, a comparative LCA is performed on two different window concepts. The first one is a traditional window (TW), which uses standard components and assembly techniques. The second concept, called Invisible Window (IW), designed to fit the three abovementioned key objectives and manufactured by the same company, is conceived to have a hidden frame employing adhesive joint technology for component assembly. This study aims to identify the environmental performance of the IW compared to the TW, offering insights into benefits and environmental consequences of embracing cutting-edge solutions in the construction industry, for the promotion of more informed and eco-conscious decision-making. Results show that IW has a higher impact only for Global Warming Potential indicator due to one of the materials employed (wood) and manufacturing phase. However, this result is linked to the choice of Life Cycle Impact Assessment method (EN 15804 + A2 Method V1.00) for which the wood is credited with a carbon storage benefit (carbon sequestration in a plant life cycle), even though a smaller quantity of wood is used for the IW. For all other indicators, the IW performs better than the TW, demonstrating that materials and manufacturing processes related to this new product concept are more suitable from the environmental perspective. In addition, the extended service life of IW lowers the burdens in all indicators, leading to an overall better performance of the new windows concept from a life cycle perspective.
2024
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11566/338258
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