Last time, in our thrilling and insightful vocabulary lesson, we looked into the word fenestration and its application to the world of windows. Since it is the root of our conception of windows, it is fitting that we should look at the word in all its wonder. If you dig a little deeper, past the definition stating that fenestration is; 1) the design and placement of windows in a building,  2) an opening in the surface of a structure, as in a membrane – you’ll find some interesting concepts waiting to be revealed and digested. Running with the second definition, that fenestration deals with openings in the surface of a structure, such as the opening in a membrane, we are smoothly lead to an idea that we talked about in previous blog posts.

The notion of a sealed space punctuated by windows and doors is essential to our understanding of energy efficiency and how to go about creating homes and spaces that are more energy efficient. If we take our model for home energy efficiency from the biological cell, then we do well. The cell is one of the most efficient structures on the planet, with its fenestrations, its windows and doors, (I don’t think biological cells are in the business of working with vinyl windows or aluminum windows, but they have tiny windows and doors all the same) the cell becomes a selectively permeable sealed envelope that contains vital structures and processes.

Just like homes that allow occupants to enter and leave, the cell is a great model for energy efficiency. The concept of an envelope is something that vinyl window and aluminum window manufactures like Croft understand well. With the sealed outer layer of the home enveloping the life within, windows and doors should serve as a controllable and protective barrier allowing only desired transactions, not the unsanctioned exchange that occurs when heat and conditioned air leak through old or worn out windows. With new replacement windows, patio doors, and other varieties of fenestration from Croft, the home can more closely resemble the incredible and efficient biological cell. Whether it’s a vinyl window, aluminum window, storm door, or patio door, Croft has the fenestration to make energy efficiency a breeze.