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Wood Based Curtain Wall for Building Retrofit: Development and Performance

Conference Paper · April 2015

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Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Oliver Englhardt
Institute of Building Construction
Graz University of Technology
Copyright © with the authors. All rights reserved.

Wood Based Curtain Wall for Building Retrofit –

Development and Performance
Jan Tywoniak, Prof. CSc., Antonín Lupíšek, PhD., Michal Bureš, Martin Volf
Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic, tywoniak@fsv.cvut.cz

Summary
This paper describes an own development of a curtain wall panel system. The leading idea of the
project was to prepare an alternative solution for replacement of old metallic curtain walls during
the refurbishment of nonresidential buildings from the 1960ies – 1970ies. Presented solution use
wood and wood based materials (laminated veneer lumbers) for construction of panels, with clear
preference to non-oil based materials for thermal insulation. System allows for different type of
external cladding (cement based boards, wooden claddings, integrated PV, support for greenery).
Integration of other technical components, like venetian blinds, decentralized ventilation units, is
possible. Thermal performance of this new envelope suitable for nearly-zero energy buildings
together with environmental oriented assessments is discussed.

Keywords: Curtain wall, refurbishment, thermal performance, wood based construction

1 Introduction

Since 1960´s, a significant share of facades on non-residential buildings has used lightweight curtain
walls (CW) [1], then perceived as a highly advanced building technology. However, these solutions
have caused various issues. They were characterized by a high energy-demand in terms of space
heating. Moreover, the curtain walls with their large glazed areas and low thermal inertia have
contributed to overheating the buildings [2] and/or led to a significant cooling energy demand.
Significant thermal bridges were usually present. In the Czech Republic, the presence of asbestos
fibers in the boards used in curtain walls was recognized as another key-problem to be solved during
the building retrofit [3].

Many of the curtain walls from 1960´s have already been replaced. However, many of them remain
more or less in their original state, including more than 290 school buildings solely in the Czech
Republic. Other countries in Central Europe appear to be in a similar situation.

Several technologies for refurbishment of such buildings can be identified in practice: a) complete
replacement of the existing curtain wall with a new one, b) partial replacement: principal frame
remains, new structural elements are added together with the filling, cladding and windows, c)
complete replacement by a traditional aerated concrete wall accompanied with an external thermal
insulation composite system (ETICS) and windows. The choice of technology is influenced by the
overall architectural solution, total size of the building, accessibility of the site, the time available for
the building retrofit and other reasons (tradition, skills of the contractor, etc.). Generally, an advanced,
industrialized way of assembly shall be preferred as it enables new and more efficient construction of
building envelopes.
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2 Inspiration

The replacement of the original curtain wall from 1971 by new one at one of the campus buildings of
Czech Technical University in Prague [4] (Fig.1) generated a principal question about the possibility
to find a modern and applicable solution for curtain walls with higher respect the environment. New
facade (Fig.1 at right) with very low thermal transmittance, integrated motor controlled venetian
blinds, indoor shading blinds, etc. is increase the comfort significantly and is suitable for low-energy
and passive buildings but the embodied energy is relatively high [5]. Having such search for overall
optimum solution in mind a first study was performed how to reduce the embodied energy and other
negative impacts by using of wood and wood based materials instead of aluminum and oil based
materials.

As a result, a new panel system was developed (Fig.2). It consists of a frame made of laminated
veneer lumber, insulation from mineral or wood fibers. All other components for the panel are selected
with the preference to materials with low embodied energy and other negative impacts as well.

Figure 1: Retrofit of the campus building (2013). Left: dismounting of original curtain wall from 1971 (overall
U-value approx. 3.0 W/(m2K). Right: New curtain wall, triple glazing, venetian blinds motor controlled, overall
U-value 0.7 W/m2K) by 60% glazed area

3 Technical solution a performance

3.1 Materials and construction

Main structural materials (panel supporting frame, exterior and interior design boards) and
supplementary materials (thermal insulation and façade cladding, window frames and sash) of the
proposed wall system are made of wood-based materials. The system is executed with attention to
detail. Where possible, the elements are prefabricated using precise CNC machines; main elements are
made of advanced renewable materials. The anchors with fine rectification and joints connecting the
panels enable installation without any extra work from the outside (no need of scaffolding on-site) and
thanks to flexible seals expansion movements are possible. Anchoring into the load-bearing ceiling
plate is situated at the bottom part of the windowsill.
 Wood Based Curtain Wall for Building Retrofit – Development and Performance

Figure 2: Scheme of a curtain wall made of a wood-based panel

Typical composition of the building envelope:
Indoor drywall lining, thickness 50-100 mm
Oriented strand board, thickness 15 mm
Wood fiber insulation, thickness 240 mm
DHF Fiberboard, thickness 15 mm
Ventilated façade

Two levels of rubber seals from exterior side and EPDM based membrane from interior side is used to
ensure the water- and air-tightness at joints.

The panel is designed so that it can be used with various additional components. An opaque part can
have a form of a ventilated façade equipped with active renewable energy components (photovoltaics,
solar heat collectors), supporting grid for greenery purposes or traditional cladding materials (glass,
wood, fiber-cement, etc.). Units for de-centralized mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, motor
controlled external blinds and other devices can be used as well to improve the overall energy balance
of the building. The curtain wall installation is completed by common gypsum board wall from the
interior side. The piping (electrical wiring, weak current systems, heating distribution) can be installed
in the cavity. Furthermore, it can contain control elements of the blinds, heating, cooling and
ventilation.

3.2 Thermal properties

The total thickness of the panel in the basic version is 270 mm; flexible thermal insulation made of
natural wood fibers has a thickness of 240 mm. The quality of the thermal insulation can be improved
by using new generation materials, for example vacuum insulation panels (VIP). These can be placed
into the protected position already in the factory without the risk damage during the construction
process on-site. Depending on the type of the thermal insulation material, the construction reaches
thermal transmittance values ranging from 0.16 to 0.09 W/(m2.K) (Tab. 1).
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Table 1 Basic thermal properties of opaque part of the panel

Thermal transmittance [W/(m2K)]

without considering thermal bridges

Basic solution with wood-fiber thermal insulation 0.16

Thermal insulation using quality mineral wool 0.14

Thermal insulation using mineral wool and 20 mm VIP 0.11

Thermal insulation using phenolic foam 0.09

The panels are equipped with wooden windows suitable for passive buildings (Uw 0.8 W/(m2.K), triple
glazed. Motor controlled external aluminum blinds are used to limit summer solar heat gains. The
blinds are placed in an imbedded lintel box. A vacuum insulation panel or aerogel thermal insulation is
used there to limit a thermal bridge. Linear thermal transmittance was calculated for all construction
details [5]. It expresses the influence of additional heat flows through thermal bridges and thermal
joints. Final thermal transmittance of a panel with the size of 1.5 m x 3.3 m and 60% glazed area is
below 0.6 W/(m2K). Fully opaque panel of the same size has thermal transmittance by 0.27 W/(m2K).
In both cases usual wood fiber insulation was considered. Such properties help decrease the thermal
loss through the building envelope by 70 % in comparison to the old type of the curtain wall. Annual
energy demand for heating and related costs of heating can be reduced by more than 50 % by changing
solely the building envelope.

Environmental oriented assessments of opaque panels showed [5] that the proposed solution could
reduce the embodied energy to 58 % (compared to metallic curtain wall) and to 83 % (compared to
alternative with aerated concrete + thermal insulation (ETICS)). Results concerning global warming
potential (GWP) are even more promising: Reduction to level of 4 % compared to metallic curtain
wall.

4 First installations

First full scale installation was performed in the climatic room at the research facility UCEEB [7]
(Fig.4). 4 facade elements equipped with temperature and humidity sensors are placed together in one
opening (3.0 m x 3.2 m), which represents the real application: the interior temperature and relative
humidity can be adjusted to typical indoor conditions, external climatic conditions are real (west
oriented). Long-time observation is scheduled here.
 Wood Based Curtain Wall for Building Retrofit – Development and Performance

Figure 3: Prototyping - Left: Model for development studies (Thermowood, cement based boards, venetian
blinds integrated). Right: Placing of vacuum insulation boards into full scale prototype

Figure 4: Panels equipped with sensors placed in one of 6 openings in climatic room for long-time observation
under conditions close to reality
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At the same time a larger installation is under preparation covering overall area of 48 m2. Panels shall
differ in width: 1.2, 1.5, 1.8 and 3.0 m having unified height of 3.3 m. Again, different type of
insulation materials will be used: combination of vacuum plates and traditional mineral wool, wood
fibers or hemp insulation. From the exterior side the panels will be equipped with different, PV-panels,
wooden support for greenery. Several types of high performing glazing should be used here as well.
The observation and measurements are planned for at least two years.

5 Concluding remarks

Long-time testing together with pilot installation is still in process. Use in construction practice is
expected from July 2015. Lessons learned from this project can be used in a slightly modified version
in similar very important task: industrialized retrofitting of residential buildings. Key requirements for
advanced solutions here are the minimized negative impact on building occupants, increasing the
indoor comfort and keeping or upgrade the architectural diversity of future facades. Wood based
panels with similar construction can be used here as an additive system to existing wall (mainly
brickwork or concrete panel). Complex solutions with focus on proper installations of technical
services components are subject of the European project MORE CONNECT [8] with the participation
of our team.

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the European Union, OP RDI project No. CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0091 –
University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings and by the H2020 project MORE CONNECT, grant
agreement No. 633477.

References

[1] EN ISO 13830:2003 Curtain walling – Product standard

[2] Hegger, M., Fuchs, M., Stark, T. and Zeumer, M. Energie Atlas. Nachhaltige Architektur.
Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, 2008
[3] Werner, L.: Curtain walls containing asbestos are at least in 293 school buildings, in Czech,
available from http://zpravy.idnes.cz/boleticke-panely-s-azbestem-jsou-nejmene-v-293-
skolach-f9w-/domaci.aspx?c=A111202_145209_domaci_wlk [accessed 2014-07-29]
[4] Skanska LOP-Unit. Replacement of curtain wall of building A, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
Czech Technical University in Prague, (Detailed design documentation for execution), Prague
2012
[5] Tywoniak, J., Bureš, M., Volf, M., Lupíšek, A.: Curtain Walls for Building Retrofit Purposes.
Proceedings of 8th International Conference Improving Energy Efficiency in Commercial
Buildings (IEECB14)
[6] EN 13947 Thermal performance of curtain walling - Calculation of thermal transmittance
[7] www.uceeb.cz
[8] Project MORE CONNECT – H2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. EU
2014

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