FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

California 2018

The 2018 FHB House is a net-zero energy, high-performance home in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills designed to meet the goals of the California 2020 initiative and comply with the most progressive energy code in the country. The project combines a very tight, well-insulated envelope, cutting-edge mechanical systems, and unique material choices, all wrapped up in a one-of-a-kind modern design.

Why Do Most Passive House Projects Use European Windows?

Finding high-performance windows that look good, work well, and fit the budget can be a challenge

By Mela Breen, David Good

We expect the air barrier to get us below 1.0 ACH50, but we want our house to have Passive House–level performance, so we’re aiming for 0.6 ACH50 or less. Past projects have taught us that once we’ve air-sealed the framing, the air leaks that we can’t address are through the windows and doors. Finding truly airtight windows and especially doors that are manufactured in the United States and that offer the aesthetic quality we seek remains an ongoing challenge. We want doors and windows that provide performance to match the rest of our assembly and that are wood clad and beautifully crafted. This is most important for the doors, as they are the most frequently used component and often one of the leakiest. We chose Zola European Windows and settled on their Thermo Clad line, as the glass package is well-suited for our climate and offers fours seals on the doors and operable windows for a very effective air-seal. The factory- finished interior is not only a higher quality than we can get with site finishing, but is less than the cost of having a painter finish raw wood.

Passive-House Windows Requirements

Anybody who has ever designed or built a Passive House has wrestled with window selection. Passive House–certified windows are heavy, expensive, and typically end up being shipped from Europe. If you’ve ever wondered why they cost so much, here’s a rundown of the window features on our house.

  1. Tilt-and-turn. The windows can swing inward to fully open or tilt in at the top for more limited ventilation. The multipoint locking system closes with a satisfying solid engagement.
  2. Airtight seals. The locking system pulls the windows tightly against four separate gaskets that run around the perimeter of each window for a complete seal.
  3. Triple glazing. Three Argon-filled glass layers reach R-11. The high glass performance allows the use of large windows without a drastic performance penalty.
  4. Thermally broken frame. The aluminum-clad wood frames are R-5 for a total window performance of R-7. By way of comparison to U.S.-manufactured windows with the NFRC rating, the U-factor of these windows is U-0.16 for fixed windows and U-0.17 for operable windows.

Install Windows Right for Performance and Durability

How you integrate the windows into you house’s walls is just as important as which windows you use. These are the steps we take to make sure our windows are airtight and weather proof.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

California 2018 Videos

Navigate the Build

  • Introduction
  • Foundation
  • Framing
  • Windows and Doors
  • Insulation
  • Roof
  • Siding and Trim
  • Mechanicals
  • Interior Finishes
  • Kitchen and Baths
  • Completed Home

Behind the Build

  • Kansas 2022
  • Wisconsin 2021
  • Nebraska 2021
  • Connecticut 2020
  • Kentucky 2019
  • California 2018
  • Vermont 2017
  • Rhode Island 2016
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email

View Comments

  1. deletesnapchat | Nov 14, 2018 01:55am | #1

    Totally agree. Finding high-performance windows that look good, work well, and fit the budget can be a challenge.
    how to delete snapchat https://www.just4dummies.com/how-to-delete-snapchat

  2. SENWiEco | Jan 14, 2019 12:51pm | #2

    For a North American supplier with certified Passive House windows, check out https://www.cascadiawindows.com/products/universal-series. I have an earlier version of their windows and can testify as to their quality and workmanship.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More California 2018

View All
  • A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance
  • Tour the California FHB House in Person
  • A Houseful of Cabinets and Built-ins
  • Preparing for Tile
View All

Fine Homebuilding House California 2018 Sponsors

  • Huber – Advantech Logo
  • Bridger Steel Logo
  • BuildDirect Logo
  • CabParts Logo
  • Dorken TruExterior Logo
  • Dryerbox Logo
  • DryerWallVent Logo
  • FLIR Logo
  • Lenox Logo
  • Maine Deck Bracket Logo
  • Mitsubishi Logo
  • Rockwool Logo
  • Schluter Logo
  • Simpson Strong Tie Logo
  • Stanley Logo
  • Titebond Logo
  • Weyerhaeuser Logo

Donating Sponsors

  • Beko Logo
  • Chief Architect Logo
  • Cor-A-Vent Logo
  • Duravit Logo
  • Ferguson Logo
  • Morso Logo
  • Patagonia Logo
  • StepStone Logo

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Trip-Saving Tool Hauler

This combination wheelbarrow and dolly from Worx shines as a tool cart.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 533: Missing-Middle Housing, Collateral Damage From Demo, and Midwest BS Symposium
  • Insulating a Roof: Getting Higher R-Value
  • Podcast 532: PRO TALK With Engineer Stephen MacDougall
  • Podcast 531: Member's-only Aftershow — ADUs Are a Solution

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 533: Missing-Middle Housing, Collateral Damage From Demo, and Midwest BS Symposium
  • Podcast 532: PRO TALK With Engineer Stephen MacDougall
  • Podcast 531: Member's-only Aftershow — ADUs Are a Solution
  • Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler
View All

Windows

View All Windows Articles
  • Podcast 513: Trusses in a Fire, Roof Outsulation, and Problems With Spray Foam
    Podcast 513: Trusses in a Fire, Roof Outsulation, and Problems With Spray Foam
  • Podcast 511: Floor-to-Ceiling Windows, Spray-Foaming Stone Foundations, and Supporting Cast-Iron Waste Lines
  • Podcast 505: Dirty Band Joists, Taping Roof Sheathing, and Affordable High-Performance Windows
    Podcast 505: Dirty Band Joists, Taping Roof Sheathing, and Affordable High-Performance Windows
  • Modern Design in A Historic Neighborhood
    Passive-House Remodel in A Historic Neighborhood
View All Windows Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in