Passive House
Passive House buildings are designed to operate at a fraction of the energy consumption of conventional construction. Windows are one of the most critical components — a poorly specified or poorly installed window can undermine the entire thermal envelope, regardless of how well the rest of the building is built.
Kenemax works on Passive House and high-performance projects alongside energy consultants and engineers. We install to the specifications they set — triple-pane systems, thermally broken frames, continuous installation with no thermal bridges at the rough opening — and we take that detail seriously.
We use products matched to the performance requirements of each project — including Intus Windows and other European-origin systems engineered specifically for Passive House compliance.
Passive House certification requires windows with U-values typically at or below 0.8 W/m²K — far below what a standard double-pane window achieves. The frame, the glazing, the spacer bar, and the installation detail all contribute to the final performance. No single element can compensate for a deficiency in another.
In Passive House construction, the window must be positioned in the rough opening to align with the insulation layer — not the structural wall. This eliminates the thermal bridge at the frame perimeter that occurs in conventional installation. We install to the position specified by the project's energy consultant or architect, with continuous insulation connection at every opening.
Passive House standards require a continuous airtight layer at the building envelope. Window installation is one of the most common points of air leakage failure. We apply appropriate tapes, membranes, and sealants at the interior and exterior perimeter of every opening — maintaining the airtight plane specified in the design.
We work from the U-value, SHGC, and frame specifications provided by the project's energy team. We source products — including triple-pane European systems — that meet or exceed those parameters, and we provide full product documentation for the project's certification file.
Passive House projects require close coordination between window installer, general contractor, and energy consultant. We attend site meetings, review installation details in advance, and flag anything that would compromise the thermal or airtight performance before it becomes a problem in the field.
The earlier we're involved, the better. Window positioning, rough opening dimensions, and installation sequencing all need to be coordinated with the overall envelope strategy. Contact us to discuss your project — we work directly with your energy consultant and design team.