Triple-Pane IG with Super Spacer® Most Efficient Path to R-5

Department of Energy (DOE) released a request for proposal for its new R-5 Windows Volume Purchase Program that gives fenestration manufacturers an opportunity to be listed as preferred vendors for projects related to government, associations, schools, universities and non-profit organizations. Edgetech’s Super Spacer® provides the energy efficiency, long-term durability, quality control and production efficiencies necessary to quickly and efficiently meet the stringent requirements to be considered for the program.
 
“In accordance with the October 27, 2009 draft specification requirements provided by the U.S. DOE, to be considered for the R-5 Volume Purchase Program, all units must be offered at a fixed price and provide a 20-year warranty on the glass,” said Tracy Rogers, technical director for Edgetech I.G. “In terms of performance, units must achieve a maximum 0.22 U-value for operable units and 0.20 U-factor for fixed, which will likely mandate triple-glazed insulating glass.”
 
Additionally, they must be certified to ASTM E2190 for insulating glass durability, NFRC 100/200 for U-factor/Solar Heat Gain and AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/IS2/A440-05 for air, water and structural performance.
 
For the efficient production of triple-pane IG, Edgetech offers Super Spacer® Cushion Edge™, which includes a groove in the middle that suspends the third lite of glass – eliminating the need for two spacers to produce triples.
 
“Most IG failures are due to moisture transmission between the spacer sealants and the glass, and incorporating a third lite adds two additional moisture vapor transmission paths – doubling the potential for IG failure over time,” Rogers said. “Edgetech provides a unique option to produce triples with Cushion Edge that removes the added worry about seal failure because it does not add extra moisture paths.”
 
In terms of production efficiency, according to Rogers, “Unlike metal spacers that need to be heated through an oven press, Super Spacer bonds with pressure alone and there is no need to apply heat – saving energy during production and ensuring a consistent adhesion for all four vapor transmission paths.”
 
Additionally, the no-metal formula in Super Spacer offers the warmest edge of glass temperature, as well as long-term durability/sustainability. Super Spacer’s flexible warm edge design enables IG units to expand and contract with barometric pressure changes, wind-loads and snow-loads, reducing the amount of stress on the seal and virtually eliminating seal failure – providing the confidence to offer the 20-year warranty required by the R-5 program.
 
More information on efficiently producing triples with Super Spacer can be found at http://www.edgetechig.com/News/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=141.
 
The R-5 Volume Purchase RFP went out in October 2009 and first-round proposals are due in December 2009. Awards will be announced in March 2010 and a Phase II RFP is scheduled for February 2011. More information can be found at www.r-5windowsvolumepurchase.com .