INOVUES' NON-INVASIVE
INSULATING GLASS RETROFITS (IGRs)
For retrofitting existing building facades and windows with the latest energy-saving and smart glass technologies without removal or replacement.
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OVERVIEW
Energy and Non-energy Related Benefits:
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2-10x more window insulation (varies based on new glass type).
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Up to 40% energy savings (subject to building design/location).
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35-50% outside noise reduction.
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Up to 25 years of protection for the original windows, which helps avoid/delay facade and window replacement, alleviates system deficiencies (e.g., air infiltration, water penetration), and minimizes the risk of performance failure, thus providing a longer service life.
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Reduces the publicly disclosed Energy Use Intensity (EUI rating).
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Provides points towards a green building certification, like LEED or Energy Star, and helps gain tax credits.
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Improves occupant satisfaction/productivity by improving the quality and thermal/acoustic comfort of the indoor environment.
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Enhances the image of the building without altering its identity.
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Boosts the competitiveness of older buildings in the market.
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Leads to higher occupancy, tenant retention, and net operating income; higher building classification; and ultimately higher market rates and asset value.
Features:
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The only exterior window/curtainwall upgrade solution on the market.
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Transforms single- or double-pane glass to double- or triple-pane.
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No window replacement, removal, alteration, or drilling required.
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Works with mechanically or structurally glazed systems, whether fixed or operable windows or unitized or stick-built curtainwalls.
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Unlimited glass performance and color options, from the latest energy-saving, sound-insulating safety glass to cutting-edge technologies like dynamic glazing, transparent photovoltaic, and R-10 vacuum insulated glass.
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Highly compact and lightweight; <1” total added thickness with 1.5” frameless-looking sightline and <3.5 lb/sq. ft. total added weight.
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An easy-to-retrofit system, and can be installed using existing window washing platforms or other facade access systems.
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Can be upgraded or removed completely without causing damage.
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0.63” hermetically-sealed air gap, utilizing multiple primary and secondary seals and desiccant components for longer service life.
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Thermally-broken attachment for better insulation.
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Patented technology and proprietary extrusions.
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10-year material warranty and 2-year labor warranty.
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Manufactured in the U.S. and installed by certified window installers.
INOVUES Glazing Shield system was successfully tested by a leading independent testing facility according to the following industry standards:
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Air infiltration per ASTM E283.
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Static water penetration per ASTM E331.
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Dynamic water penetration per AAMA 501.1 under 110, 130, and 140 MPH wind.
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Structural performance per ASTM E330 under 1x and 1.5x design load.
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Thermal performance per AAMA 1503.
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Sound transmission loss per ASTM E90.
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Accelerated weathering per ASTM E2188.
A SUSTAINABLE FACADE RETROFIT METHOD
By preserving the building envelope and using its primary components as part of the solution, INOVUES’ non-intrusive retrofit method protects the existing facade and window systems and extends their useful life.
INOVUES Glazing Shield system revitalizes the performance of building enclosures, improves the quality and thermal comfort of the indoor environment, and reduces heating and cooling energy consumption and peak energy demands.
At a fraction of the cost and time it takes to rip out and replace the existing windows, INOVUES' retrofit solution provides the same benefits as the replacement options.
INOVUES' non-intrusive Glazing Shield system causes no disruption to the building or occupants, no damage to the building envelope, and no construction-related waste that needs to be shipped to landfills, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Diagram: Wall section diagrams comparing INOVUES’ non-disruptive retrofit method to other conventional facade and glazing retrofit practices (Diagram based on: Mic Patterson - Enclos).
UNLIMITED PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN OPTIONS FOR VARIOUS APPLICATIONS
INOVUES' exterior retrofit solution creates a new insulating weather barrier that preserves the existing window systems, alleviates most of their deficiencies, and improves their thermal performance without compromising their structural integrity.
The current system supports most cutting-edge passive glass technologies on the market, including low-emissivity laminated safety glass, vacuum insulated glazing, and self-cleaning glass. Additionally, the frameless look of the Glazing Shield system and the non-invasive nature of its installation method makes it an ideal application for historic buildings and landmarks—as there will hardly be any physical or visual impact that might compromise the architectural identity of the building, particularly compared with the intrusive solutions.
INOVUES’ Glazing Shield retrofits could be considered window systems installed over existing fenestration, like storm windows, which generally do not require an extensive building permit to be installed—an express permit is enough in most jurisdictions— and they are exempt from most building, energy, and conservation code requirements for altering or replacing windows. This gives our solution many further advantages over the intrusive facade and glazing retrofit methods, including hassle-free process, lower costs, shorter project duration, and faster payback.
Image: A 3D view showing the primary components of the Glazing Shield system and its split structure.
ACTIVATE THE WINDOWS WITH A SMART, SELF-POWERED SYSTEM
INOVUES' facade and window upgrade solution will create a world of opportunities by making it feasible to bring third-party innovations to existing buildings. The adaptive, self-powered version of the Glazing Shield system will provide many further benefits through automated or on-demand management of sunlight transmission and several other properties/functions in an environmentally sustainable manner.
INOVUES' adaptive Glazing Shield system can incorporate a built-in control unit and a photovoltaic (PV) module able to convert absorbed light into electrical energy by using a clear, wave-selective PV coating. The PV module provides the power needed to actuate other built-in systems such as an electrochromic (EC) module to dynamically control glare, solar heat gain, visible light transmittance, and other features.
INOVUES' smart Glazing Shield retrofits can be controlled wirelessly by the user or through a building automation system that optimizes their configuration, in real-time, to adapt to changes in weather conditions.
Image: 3rd party technologies that can be integrated with the glazing shield system.
PATENTED TECHNOLOGY
INOVUES’ retrofit system works with most types of windows, curtain walls, and skylights due to the highly compact, lightweight, and adaptable design of the Glazing Shield system.
The thermally-broken attachment creates a highly insulating weather barrier that significantly improves the overall performance of the existing window. Additionally, the flexible, weather-tight joints provide enough tolerance for installation and allow the Glazing Shield retrofits to adapt easily to movements and thermal expansion in existing panels.
The system, which consists of a support spacer and a unitized panel, incorporates a unique locking mechanism that retains the panel in place without the need for mechanical fasteners. Also, splitting the Glazing Shield system into two separate components allows the unitized panel to be non-permanently fixed to the existing glazing system. This enables building facades and windows to become resilient by allowing them to be easily retrofitted when the need arises. It also means that future upgrades to the next generation of the Glazing Shield will be feasible and seamless.
Diagram: The early concept of the Glazing Shield system.
ADVANCED PERFORMANCE
The baseline option of the INOVUES Glazing Shield system, GS100LF, improves the overall performance of most window and curtain wall systems as follows:
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Total U-Factor (thermal transmittance) by over 200%.
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Condensation Resistance (CR) by ~400%.
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Sound Transmission Class (STC) by ~10 points.
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Outside-Inside Transmission Class (OITC) by ~4 points.
This was validated through thermal simulations per NFRC 100 and successful testing per industry standards (AAMA 1503 and ASTM E90) at a leading independent testing lab.
Pairing the Glazing Shield system with higher-performing glass will yield greater results. For example, the GS100VIG Glazing Shield retrofits with R10 vacuum insulated glass improve the center of glass R-Value of a single-pane window from R1 to R14 and increase the total system U-Factor by up to 10x.
Image: Thermal simulations at the horizontal frame members of different types of glazing systems showing the impact of each option on the frame and edge of glass thermal transmittance (U-Factor).
QUICK AND EASY INSTALLATION
INOVUES’ novel retrofit solution is suitable for most buildings, due to the non-intrusive and non-destructive nature of the installation method, which in turn, makes it cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
In many cases, INOVUES Glazing Shields can be installed using the existing facade access systems or building maintenance units (BMUs) without the need for additional scaffolds or custom installation platforms. This is due to the split structure and the lightweight nature of the system.
The installation is typically performed in two primary steps. First, the support spacer frame is attached to the existing glass/glazing panel, from the interior or exterior, using structural glazing materials. Then, the pre-fabricated unitized panel is mounted on the support spacer and locked using a proprietary zero-fastener locking mechanism and a perimeter sealant, creating an insulated air gap between the existing glazing system and the Glazing Shield.
Diagram: The basic installation steps of the Glazing Shield system.
GREAT ENERGY AND NON-ENERGY BENEFITS
INOVUES' Glazing Shield system reduces building energy consumption and peak heating and cooling loads by up to 40%. Several cost-benefit analysis studies showed that the payback period from energy savings alone is up to 10 times faster than window replacement and the return on investment (ROI) is up to 400%. Thermal comfort was also shown to be improved by about 15% and glare discomfort was reduced by about 10%.
Pairing the Glazing Shield system with advanced glazing technologies like smart/dynamic tinting further improves energy efficiency by up to 20% while offering greater occupant comfort. And with vacuum insulated glass, energy savings can reach 66% depending on the building's design and location.
Image: Sample results of before-and-after energy simulation scenarios for a high-rise commercial building in New York City.
TODAY
TOMORROW
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
According to the IEA, U.S. DOE, and LBNL 20-40% of the total energy savings in buildings, which are responsible for nearly half of all energy consumption and carbon emissions in the U.S. (Architecture 2030), is projected to be from windows and building envelopes. Today, it is estimated that about 40% of all commercial and multifamily residential buildings in the U.S. still have single-pane windows according to the EIA, LBNL, ARPA-E, GSA, and the DOE Building Performance Database (BPD). Moreover, half of the remaining 60% is estimated to have lower-performing double-pane window systems that lack significantly in performance compared to the latest technologies and building and energy code requirements.
If only the single-glazed office buildings in the U.S. were upgraded, the typical result of 20% improvement in energy efficiency would translate into more than $1.5 billion in annual savings and about 140 trillion Btu each year in reduced energy consumption. This is equal to about 24 million barrels of oil or more than 10 million metric tons of reduced CO2 emissions per year, which is like removing more than 2 million cars off the streets each year.
By significantly improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings, we will mitigate the impact of climate change, make the built environment more resilient, and help preserve natural resources.
Image: Before-and-after thermal infrared image showing the amount of heat loss from New York City buildings (Original Photo by Tyrone Turner - National Geographic).