ENERsign

Question 1

What is hidden behind the word absorption?

In the field of windows, absorption is found in thermal insulation and soundproofing windows, where they reflect heat back into the room if possible or absorb sound waves so that less noise can penetrate into the rooms.

Question 2

What counts as acquisition costs?

The sum of all expenses that must be incurred in the case of a property purchase. As a rule, these are made up of

- Purchase price of the real estate - costs for a contract mediation, brokerage fee, costs for the conclusion of the contract (notary / court fees, land register fees).

Furthermore, any taxes that may be incurred (land transfer tax) as well as acquisition-related expenses. These acquisition costs may be tax deductible in the form of a deduction for wear and tear (Afa).

Question 3

Why is airtightness so important?

The passage of air through joints and cracks in the building envelope has many disadvantages. For example, a high percentage of all structural damage is caused by leaking building envelopes. The sound insulation is reduced, draughts cause discomfort for the residents and unnecessarily high heat losses are incurred. For this reason, the applicable standards have for many years required that the outer shells of buildings must be airtight.

Question 4

What turns windows into airtight windows?

The air tightness of a window depends decisively on the number of sealing levels. In order for windows and doors to be airtight, the airtightness tapes must also be cleanly applied on the building site. For buildings with increased requirements, it is recommended that an airtightness concept be drawn up during the implementation planning phase. The a-value is used to measure the air tightness, which is used especially for testing windows and doors (DIN EN 12207).

Question 5

What's an alarm spider?

Alarm spiders are electrical conductor loops that are placed in the corner of the inner surface of the glass. If the pane is smashed during an attempted break-in, the glass shatters into many small fragments. The power supply is interrupted by the glass breakage, so that the alarm is triggered by the cut conductor loops.

Triggered by the breakage, the burglary protection of the window, the so-called glass breakage alarm is used and an alarm is triggered.

Question 6

What does annual primary energy demand mean?

Annual energy quantity which, in addition to the energy content of the fuel and the auxiliary energies for the plant technology, also includes the energy quantity required for the extraction, conversion and distribution of the respective fuels used (upstream process chains outside the building) using the primary energy factors applicable to the respective energy sources. Primary energy can also be used as an assessment variable for ecological criteria such as CO2 emissions, because it includes the total energy required for heating the building.

Question 7

What is meant by approval?

Upon approval, a work (or a self-contained part of a work) is delivered and becomes the responsibility of the customer. Approval usually takes place after it has been established that the result has no or only insignificant defects (delivery in accordance with the contract), on the occasion of a joint inspection by the customer and contractor.

Question 8

What is argon filling?

Whereas the space between the panes of windows used to be filled only with air, the inert gas argon is now standard in modern building elements.

Argon is an inert chemical element that belongs to the group of noble gases. Windows with multiple glazing use argon as a filler between the panes of glass, which increases thermal insulation by about 10% compared to dry air as a filler.
The optimal space between the panes with argon is 16mm.

Question 9

What are the special features of ash as a material?

Abbreviation DIN EN 13556: FXEX

Botanical name Fraxinus excelsior; Fraxinus spp.; family of the Oleaceae

Dissemination Europe, Middle East, North America

Trade names: frêne (FR), frassino (IT), fresno (ES), ash (EN)

Short description
The commercial assortment of ash comprises numerous species, which are mainly native to North America and Europe. Like beech, ash is a so-called facultative heartwood former, i.e. the colour core can only be formed later (at the earliest at the age of 40) induced by exogenous factors (e.g. injuries). According to the current developments on the market for furnishing woods, ash is one of the most important hardwood suppliers. Especially the light colour and the ring-porous structure characterise the decorative wood image. But also the seldom occurring olive core of the ash currently achieves a high added value. The frequently occurring brown heartwood core of ash usually leads to a reduction in the value of the trunks. In the course of the revaluation of vividly coloured woods (cf. red-heart beech), however, a trend reversal is also becoming apparent here.

The sapwood of ash is white to yellowish and very wide (up to 19 cm). The heartwood retains the light yellow colour of the sapwood. With age an optional colour core can be formed. In American ash this core is usually grey-brown to brown, in European ash grey-brown to olive and often cloudy (so-called brown heartwood). In individual cases, a striped olive-brown colour core can be formed, comparable to olive wood (Olea europaea). The growth zone boundaries are clearly visible through the multi-row, large early wood pores. These form prominent stripes (radial) and flakes (tangential) on the longitudinal surfaces. There is no interlocked twist and rarely latch growth.

Overall character
Ring-porous, very rich in structure, decorative, hard and very elastic wood with colour variability from whitish over olive to brown.

Workability
The hard and elastic wood is easy and clean to work. It is easy to bend, knife, peel, turn and glue. Pre-drilling should be done for nails and screws. The surface treatment is unproblematic, pore fillers can be used to lighten the wood optically, e.g. by so-called lime. UV protective varnish is advisable to prevent yellowing.

Drying
With gentle drying, cracks and warping can be largely ruled out.

Natural durability (DIN-EN 350-2)
The natural durability of ash, including the colour core, is poor according to the classification in durability class 5 of DIN EN 350, as the core materials are not embedded in the cell walls.

Areas of application
Due to its low natural durability, the wood is mainly used for interior applications. Here it is particularly suitable for decorative veneers, floors, stairs and furniture. Ash wood is also used for dynamically stressed parts such as sports equipment, tool handles, ladders, boat straps and musical instruments (batons). Through thermal modification, the natural durability and dimensional stability of ash wood can be significantly improved, making it suitable for outdoor use.

Remarks
Metals cause dark discoloration when combined with moisture.

Ash - Technical properties
Weight fresh 600-800-1 140 kg/m³
Bulk density air-dry (12-15% u)0.45-0.69-0.86 g/cm³
Compressive strength u12-1520-44-68 N/mm²
Flexural strength u12-1549-102-178 N/mm²
Modulus of elasticity (bending) u12-154 400-13 400-18 100 N/mm²
Hardness (JANKA) ⊥, converted6.7-10.5 kN
Hardness (BRINELL) ⊥ to fiber u12-1528-40 N/mm²
Differential shrinkage (radial)0.17-0.21 %
Differential shrinkage (tangential)0.27-0.38 %pH-Wert≈ 5.8
Natural durability (DIN-EN 350-2)5

Question 10

Why do you need brackets and angles?

If the window is located in the insulation zone of multi-layered wall systems, supporting structures, e.g. brackets etc., are necessary. The fixing itself must be dimensioned in such a way that the expected wind and payloads are absorbed and the dead weight can be carried at right angles to the window plane even when the sash is open.

Question 11

What does payment on account mean?

Periodic payment according to the progress of the construction work based on a quantity survey.

Question 12

What is meant by the term roll armor?

The roll armour or roller shutter curtain consists of roller shutter slats (also called roller shutter profiles) that are hinged together. It is the protective part of the roller shutter that closes the opening. Depending on the requirements, it can be of various types. The most commonly used materials are: Plastic, mainly rigid PVC; aluminium, often foamed with polyurethane; wood, usually pine; steel and stainless steel.