Page 11 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2021, Healthy and Sustainable Renovation with Renewable Materials
P. 11
ar zero waste energy window: Wooden window for reuse and cascading use
Uroš Gantar 1, Barbara Šubic 1, Nejc Starman 1, Liza Križnar 1, Luka Kramarič 1
1. M SORA d.d., Industrijska ulica 13, Žiri, Slovenia
M SORA, a Slovenian company producing wooden windows, developed “Near zero waste energy window”.
It represents a wooden window, designed with an aim for reuse and cascading use of the product —
either as a whole or as separate components.
Different strategies, both innovative and traditional, were adopted in the development. Design
recommendations from the literature were complemented with internal innovative ideas.
Regarding material, recovered wood is used for both sash and frame elements. An innovative patented
process of wood mineralization is applied for protection, instead of less eco-friendly and conventional
synthetic coatings. The standard vacuum-pressure impregnation process is most suitable for that.
Mineralization extends both lifespan and fire safety class of windows. The use of potentially harmful
components was avoided at all costs. Minimizing the total number of materials is essential for simplification
of design.
Instead of glued corner connections, mechanical connections in the form of wooden screws are chosen
for wooden joints. Dry glazing instead of conventional silicone joint is adopted to join wooden frame and
glass. It not only simplifies the assembly process but also allows easier separation of components and
possible in-situ replacement of damaged parts with spare parts. The geometry of wooden profiles is
simplified with emphasis on rectangular surfaces, instead of curved ones. It allows a bigger cross-section
when combined for reusability.
All presented strategies are complemented with IoT sensors for wood moisture and deformation
monitoring. Sensors enable more user-friendly window monitoring, consequent lifespan extension and
inclusion in smart homes.
With all strategies in mind presenting “Near zero waste energy window”, our goal is to produce more
sustainable, smart, and simplified window elements. Window elements can also be larger and more
modular, which allows us to make more transparent building envelopes with healthier building
environments.
Keywords: recovered wood, windows, design for recycling and reuse, circular economy
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia, and
by the European Regional Development Fund, European Commission (project WOOLF, grant number
5441-2/2017/241).
References
Gantar, U., Šubic, B., Starman, N., Tatić, U., Fajdiga, G., Ugovšek, A., Grigillo, D., Lopatič,. J., 2019. Development,
testing and production of wooden windows with increased dimensions. 41. zborovanje gradbenih konstruktorjev
Slovenije, november 2019, Bled
Teischinger, A.; Kalcher, J.; Salzger, E.; Praxmarer, G.; Vanek, M.: General systematic for a design for recycling-
guideline for wooden windows and wood aluminium windows, CD-ROM Proceedings of the World Conference
on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2016), August 22-25, 2016, Vienna, Austria, Eds.: J. Eberhardsteiner, W. Winter, A.
Fadai, M. Pöll, Publisher: Vienna University of Technology, Austria, ISBN: 978-3-903039-00-1
HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE RENOVATION WITH RENEWABLE MATERIALS
11
Uroš Gantar 1, Barbara Šubic 1, Nejc Starman 1, Liza Križnar 1, Luka Kramarič 1
1. M SORA d.d., Industrijska ulica 13, Žiri, Slovenia
M SORA, a Slovenian company producing wooden windows, developed “Near zero waste energy window”.
It represents a wooden window, designed with an aim for reuse and cascading use of the product —
either as a whole or as separate components.
Different strategies, both innovative and traditional, were adopted in the development. Design
recommendations from the literature were complemented with internal innovative ideas.
Regarding material, recovered wood is used for both sash and frame elements. An innovative patented
process of wood mineralization is applied for protection, instead of less eco-friendly and conventional
synthetic coatings. The standard vacuum-pressure impregnation process is most suitable for that.
Mineralization extends both lifespan and fire safety class of windows. The use of potentially harmful
components was avoided at all costs. Minimizing the total number of materials is essential for simplification
of design.
Instead of glued corner connections, mechanical connections in the form of wooden screws are chosen
for wooden joints. Dry glazing instead of conventional silicone joint is adopted to join wooden frame and
glass. It not only simplifies the assembly process but also allows easier separation of components and
possible in-situ replacement of damaged parts with spare parts. The geometry of wooden profiles is
simplified with emphasis on rectangular surfaces, instead of curved ones. It allows a bigger cross-section
when combined for reusability.
All presented strategies are complemented with IoT sensors for wood moisture and deformation
monitoring. Sensors enable more user-friendly window monitoring, consequent lifespan extension and
inclusion in smart homes.
With all strategies in mind presenting “Near zero waste energy window”, our goal is to produce more
sustainable, smart, and simplified window elements. Window elements can also be larger and more
modular, which allows us to make more transparent building envelopes with healthier building
environments.
Keywords: recovered wood, windows, design for recycling and reuse, circular economy
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia, and
by the European Regional Development Fund, European Commission (project WOOLF, grant number
5441-2/2017/241).
References
Gantar, U., Šubic, B., Starman, N., Tatić, U., Fajdiga, G., Ugovšek, A., Grigillo, D., Lopatič,. J., 2019. Development,
testing and production of wooden windows with increased dimensions. 41. zborovanje gradbenih konstruktorjev
Slovenije, november 2019, Bled
Teischinger, A.; Kalcher, J.; Salzger, E.; Praxmarer, G.; Vanek, M.: General systematic for a design for recycling-
guideline for wooden windows and wood aluminium windows, CD-ROM Proceedings of the World Conference
on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2016), August 22-25, 2016, Vienna, Austria, Eds.: J. Eberhardsteiner, W. Winter, A.
Fadai, M. Pöll, Publisher: Vienna University of Technology, Austria, ISBN: 978-3-903039-00-1
HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE RENOVATION WITH RENEWABLE MATERIALS
11
