Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- A US supplier of architectural windows has launched a line of high-energy-efficiency windows using pultruded polyurethane composites.
Graham Architectural Products, a member of Bayer MaterialScience's EcoCommercial Building (ECB) network, claims that its GThurm windows are the first American-made architecturally rated windows to feature thermal transmission as low as U 0.18 (R 5.5), using readily available insulating glass, according to an 8 Feb statement.
The windows feature Graham glass-reinforced polyurethane technology that the company says offers improved dimensional stability, durability, thermal insulation and environmental friendliness over traditional windows. It uses polyurethane resin supplied by Bayer MaterialScience containing no volatile organic compounds.
The first commercial installation of the windows took place in late 2010 at a Bayer development and training facility. A total of 76 windows were replaced at the building, which is about 50 years old.
"The new windows have greatly increased the comfort of the people who work in this facility. Furthermore, we expect to realize energy savings of roughly 12 percent, which is significant," said site manager John Rock in the statement.
According to Graham, the windows not only have increased energy efficiency but superior strength, and GThurm products are expected to use less energy per pound of raw materials.
Graham Architectural Products joined the ECB network in 2010 as one of the inaugural product solution suppliers. The network's members function independently to provide products and services for sustainable building projects. Other participants in the ECB programme include Bostik, Deloitte, Kingspan, Carnegie Mellon University and Sheffield Plastics.
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