Multi-chambered profiles: ‘The science bit’

I’m very excited here at Liniar HQ – Christmas is almost here! I’ve been a very good robot this year so I’m hoping Santa will pay me a visit and bring me some gifts.

I haven’t put much on my list this year. A toy lightsaber, an iPod and a new teddy bear would be just the things to keep me happy over the festive holidays.

I was also thinking about asking for a woolly hat and scarf to keep me warm over the frosty winter months – yes, even robots feel the cold you know!

But, on reflection, I realised that there was really no need for me to wrap up. I’m lovely and cosy here in my testing lab, largely thanks to my Liniar windows.  So, why are our uPVC windows so thermally efficient?

Original design

To fully explain, I need to describe the origins of the design of Liniar’s profile.

Steel reinforcement was a major part of many old ‘first generation’ uPVC windows.

Not only did it increase the stiffness of the frame and reduce deflection from wind, steel was considered essential to securely fix hardware, such as hinges and locking mechanisms.

As energy efficiency became more of a concern uPVC thermal inserts were introduced, replacing steel and occupying the same internal chamber, therefore creating a multi-chambered thermal barrier in the same three-chambered profiles.

Although this was a move in the right direction it did have its own problems. These thin inserts didn’t add to the stiffness of the profile or provide a secure fixing for hardware.

As a result of this, many window systems providers produced two different types of windows –energy efficient (with thermal inserts) or enhanced security (with steel).

Best of both worlds

In 2007, the clever human-bots in the Liniar team set about designing a brand new system which would be both thermally efficient AND strong and secure.

The thermal inserts were discarded and the multi-chambered effect was instead designed to be part of the profile, with both the amount of internal webs and their spacing being fine-tuned with Therm software to achieve exceptional thermal performance.

Multiple internal chambers

To make the windows as energy efficient as possible, centre webs were added into the main frame of the sash to create even, symmetrical chambers inside the profile.

This vastly enhanced thermal efficiency – not just the chambers alone, but the fact that they are symmetrical.

Other multi-chambered profiles on the market have to locate the webs very close together in order to maintain the reinforcing chamber in the middle for security strength. Liniar profiles didn’t have this problem as the new, innovative design also contained sufficient strength in the profiles to achieve the required British Standards.

Why are multi-chambered profiles so energy efficient?

Keeping out the cold

In addition to being made from uPVC, a natural insulator, Liniar’s top of the range EnergyPlus profile prevents the cold outside from being transferred into warm homes because the chambers break up mini convection currents and lock in pockets of air. This prevents it going straight from hot to cold and keeps warm air around the profile.

The uniquely designed six-chambered EnergyPlus system not only prevents the transfer of cold air from outside to in, it outperforms the highest energy performance standards currently in existence.

That’s why Liniar windows and doors are perfect to help keep homes nice and warm during these cold winter months – and why I’m feeling cosy in my testing lab at Liniar HQ.

Merry Christmas!

This is my last blog post of the year, so thanks for reading about my discoveries so far and I hope to keep you all updated in the New Year.

Merry Christmas to all my friends – both bots and humans!