Double
Pane, Low-E glass is best. SINGLE
PANE GLASS IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
If
using metal or aluminum frames,
the framework must be thermally
broken. Fancy term?
It just means that the frames
should be insulated. REMEMBER:
Windows or polycarbonate
windows such as used in manufactured
enclosures-- have very little
R-Value (meaning little insulation
quality) when it comes to
cold climates. Also, take
into consideration, which
way your windows face, and
potential solar gain if facing
west/east. As long as any
type of glass or window that
you use is addressed with
airflow, condensation should
not be a problem.
French
Doors (wood frame and glass)
are not recommended for use
as OUTSIDE doors (those
that are susceptible to cold
air from the outside of the
building). If this style
of door is used, ensure windows
are double pane glass that
all frames are thermally
broken, and the doors are
tight sealing against weather.
Skylights: Keep
in mind that ALL GLASS SURFACES
INCLUDING SKYLIGHTS must be
addressed with air flow by
either DUCTWORK in place or
CEILING FANS blowing up. You
cannot ignore skylights and
opening them DOES NOT SOLVE
THE HUMIDITY PROBLEM! Skylights
can be an area of concern,
so contact us for information
on how to avoid problems with
skylights.
WINDOW
INFORMATION FOR SWIMMING
POOL ENCLOSURES
Figure 2 illustrates
a method to determine
the actual inside surface
temperature of a window
pane, based on a given
indoor and outdoor
temperature.
Based
on the figure below,
it can be seen that even
a double pane window
cannot prevent condensation,
if the room dew point
temperature is at 64.5
degrees F (see Figure
2) as the inside surface
temperature is only 51.4
degrees F.
In
order to prevent condensation,
the inside surface temperaturemust
be raised. This is normally
done by installing most
of the supply air outlets
of the dehumidification
system near the windows.
The supply of warm dry
air will then effectively
prevent condensation.
In case
a retrofit installation
does not allow air distribution
over the window surfaces,
local blowers could be
installed to raise the
glass surface temperature.
EPS is the home of DRY-AIR & VERI-DRY. We provide Design, Engineering, Consulting and Manufacturing for Residential and Commercial Indoor Swimming Pool Applications.
