Spacer bars
Spacer frame is a key component of an insulating glass unit, responsible for maintaining a precise distance between glass panes and ensuring the tightness of the entire chamber filled with noble gas. Although visually it appears as only a subtle frame of the glazing, its parameters determine whether the window edge remains free from freezing and water vapor condensation. At All Windows Group, we use advanced composite and aluminum systems that stabilize the structure of the unit and significantly improve the thermal insulation performance of the entire joinery, eliminating the formation of linear thermal bridges.
Aluminium
Swisspacer Advance
Swisspacer Ultimate
Technical parameters
For easy comparison, we present the thermal transmittance coefficient Ψ values for Swisspacer Advance, Swisspacer Ultimate spacer bars and the standard aluminium spacer bar.
Double-chamber insulating glass unit: 4-12-4-12-4 (Ug = 0,7 W/m2K)
Spacer frame role in energy efficiency
The choice of a specific type of spacer frame directly modifies the heat transfer coefficient for the entire window (Uw). Traditional metal solutions are increasingly being replaced by so-called warm edge spacers, made of materials with low thermal conductivity.
Why is it worth investing in a warm edge spacer?
The use of modern polymers and composites, such as in Swisspacer models, allows for a significant reduction in the Ψ coefficient, which determines heat loss at the junction of the glass and the profile.
- Reduction of water vapor condensation at the edges of the glazing, which prevents moisture formation and protects seals and profiles from degradation.
- Increase in the internal edge temperature of the glass, eliminating the unpleasant feeling of “cold draft” from the window even during severe frost.
- Increased durability of the insulating glass unit through better compensation of stresses arising from temperature differences and atmospheric pressure.
Material characteristics of available solutions
In the All Windows Group offer, spacer solutions are selected depending on the technical requirements of the project:
-
Aluminum spacers are suitable for simple structures where mechanical rigidity is a priority while maintaining basic insulation.
-
Swisspacer Advance provides an optimal balance between cost and energy performance, making it an excellent choice for modern multi-family residential construction.
-
Swisspacer Ultimate is the most advanced solution dedicated to passive houses, offering the lowest thermal conductivity values on the market and an aesthetic matte finish.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about spacer frames
It is a profile separating individual panes in the unit, creating a space for gas (argon or krypton). Its main function is to ensure the airtightness of the chamber and thermal insulation at the edge of the unit, preventing heat loss from the interior of the building.
Using plastic instead of aluminum reduces thermal energy conduction through the edge of the glass. In practice, this means a warmer window, lower heating bills, and no problem with condensation on the interior surfaces of the glazing.
We mainly distinguish metal spacers (aluminum, less commonly steel) and composite (warm edge) spacers. The latter are made of organic materials reinforced with glass fiber, which allows achieving insulation parameters unattainable for metal.
Yes, modern Swisspacer frames are resistant to high temperatures (they do not deform under sunlight) and UV radiation. Their construction ensures the stability of the insulating glass unit for several decades of use.
Warm edge spacers are currently a standard in energy-efficient construction. If you are planning the installation of triple-glazed windows, opting out of a warm edge spacer in favor of an aluminum one would be a mistake that would significantly reduce the actual efficiency of the entire, costly insulating glass unit.