MINERGIE® – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Why does it make sense to build a house with a MINERGIE® certificate
The MINERGIE® standard allows for the rational use of energy and the broad utilisation of renewable energy sources, while simultaneously improving quality of life, safeguarding competitiveness and reducing environmental impact. Building in accordance with the MINERGIE® standard means:
- High thermal comfort: higher surface temperature, no cold radiation or draughts.
- Value retention: high construction quality and enhanced added value.
- Energy cost savings: fewer kilowatt hours, thus offsetting additional costs, while protecting the environment and the climate.
Do the same certifications apply to the window component as to the overall building (MINERGIE, MINERGIE-A, MINERGIE-P, MINERGIE-ECO)?
No. For selected building components and component systems, the so-called MINERGIE®-modules have been defined. The main requirements for windows include:
- High thermal insulation: a window U-value of either ≤ 1.0 or ≤ 0.8 W/m²K
- Minimised risk of condensation thanks to a “warm edge spacer” and consistently thermally insulated window profiles
- Option for sun protection and high daylight utilisation
Is Sky-Frame officially certified
Yes, Sky-Frame 3 is officially certified as a MINERGIE® module (Code No. 519.23). You can find the certificate for our SF3 Classic sliding window for reference. Sky-Frame has been “Minergie-ready” since 2010, whens Sky-Frame 3 was the first metal sliding window ever to be certified.
Is it necessary for a MINERGIE®-certified building to also use MINERGIE® module windows?
No. The use of MINERGIE® modules is not mandatory.
Because of the high standard of the SF3 system, there is no strict requirement to plan module-certified installations. Sky-Frame offers multiple ways of creating solutions tailored to each building in collaboration with architecture and building physics experts, all while maintaining consistent (MINERGIE®) quality.
For more technical information on Sky-Frame products, see the Sky-Frame Products or the Technical Documentation.
Which values can I achieve with Sky-Frame
Values vary depending on the size of the installation and profile combinations. For example:
- A 2-track installation with 4 elements
- Fixed-slide-slide-fixed
- Thermally insulated profiles for labyrinth and offset centre opening
- Triple-glazed insulating glass with Ug = 0.6 W/m²K
- Swisspacer-Ultimate glass edge bond (warm edge spacer)
- Width × Height = 9 × 3.4 m
This system achieves a window U-value of Uw = 0.79 W/m²K and, due to the slim profiles, has around 95% glazed area.
See also the “Building Physics” chapter under Sky-Frame 3 in the Technical Documentation for Uw value calculations.
Which visual changes in the system result from the MINERGIE® requirements?
Only the visible widths of the thermally insulated labyrinth sections are slightly wider than those of the standard labyrinths: 30 mm instead of 20 mm for the filigree profiles, and 38 mm instead of 28 mm for the statically reinforced labyrinths.
Can increased sound insulation and burglary protection be combined with MINERGIE®
The MINERGIE® labyrinth has not been tested for enhanced burglary protection (RC 2) or increased sound insulation. However, it can be equipped with all alarm components such as glass break or position monitoring, and can be opened with electric drives.