Construction Management
Sustainability in real estate
Economy
Ecology
Social
• Cost efficiency • Value appreciation • Reduction of operating costs • Use of durable materials • Sustainable building operations
• Energy efficiency • Minimisation of heat loss • Renewable energies • Resource conservation • Water efficiency
• Health and safety • Accessibility • Comfort and quality of life • Responsible actions • Urban gardening • Meeting zones
• Greening • Recycling
framework materials, good window insulati- on provides effective protection against the overheating of living areas during the summer months. These typical building shell weak spots can be corrected with modern glass products – like triple-pane insulating glass or vacuum glass. High-tech products can also significantly improve the thermal properties of antique box windows without changing their appearance. The replacement of the interior or exterior windows is often sufficient – but the vacuum glass must always be on the inside of the antique box windows frequently seen in Vienna. Upgrading the windows can improve energetic performance by up to 10 per cent.
l Facade: The subsequent installation of insu- lation on structured, historical facades is an expensive and technically difficult venture. Interior insulation can be an alternative, but it reduces the usable space and heat bridges normally remain. Moreover, damage can result from condensation within the walls. Many of these disadvantages can be eliminated by the careful installation of modern systems, but higher costs are the re- sult – and the rooms will still heat up during the summer months. The costs for exterior insulation with a thickness of 20 cm range from EUR 110 to 140/sqm depending on the structure of the facade. Interior insulation frequently involves more complex technolo- gy, which means higher costs for the insu- lating materials depending on the building. However, installation can proceed without a crane and the expensive, time-consuming restoration of the facade.
2.
Sun protection
The prevention of summer overheating will not produce dramatic savings, but the cost-benefit ratio is very good. Exterior shading can make the purchase of an air conditioner unnecessary: Pre- venting the purchase alone can reduce costs, but if not, at least cooling requirements will decline.
l Windows: Poorly insulated windows are a source of high energy loss as well as “energy
guzzlers”. In addition to preventing heat loss with thermally improved glazing and
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