Screens and shutters for airtight building

Increasingly, architects, contractors and building owners are opting for airtight construction. An airtight shell should prevent unwanted and uncontrolled entry and exit of air. Closing unwanted gaps and seams is therefore an important objective. Wilms, specialist in sun protection, roller shutters and outdoor living products, has a number of innovative products in its range that were specially developed for airtight building: the ZipX screen^®Zero and the shutter ShutterX^®.

Wilms specializes in the development and production of blinds, shutters and systems for outdoor applications. "Wilms stands for innovation, durability and quality," says marketing manager Ronny Tiri. "We follow trends closely. After all, just like in the world of windows and doors, the evolution in sun protection and roller shutters does not stand still. Our R&D department takes up the challenge every day to translate those trends into innovative, sustainable solutions, which are also developed in a sustainable way. Witness the surface-mounted box with ventilation, the screen that can be built into a cavity or the aluminum and carbon shafts of our screens. Our CEO Erik Wilms is at the helm of this department, which allows us to move very quickly."

Screen and shutter for airtight buildings

The ZipX®Zero screen, integrated invisibly into the facade, is airtight into the cavity wall
eliminated without touching and perforating the interior wall.

Thus, the specialist from Meerhout also developed an innovative screen with a focus on airtight construction. The ZipX screen^®Zero, invisibly integrated into the facade, is airtightly concealed in the cavity wall without touching and perforating the inner wall. The insulation that is removed from the cavity makes room for a composite reinforcement profile that is integrated into the inner wall at the height of the box and takes over the insulation value of the missing cavity wall insulation. In addition, the window can be fixed to the interior wall at the top, which is not possible with conventional surface-mounted screens.

A window with ZipX^®Zero screen is finished all around in the daylight opening with insulating construction boards, as a barrier between the cold outside and warm inside air. To avoid cold window sills in winter, a composite window support profile is used, on which both the interior and exterior window sills rest. Wilms also offers ShutterX^® WRS0700, the first airtight shutter system that can be built into the cavity, eliminating thermal penetration of the interior wall.

Builder wins

Screens allow the owner to control solar radiation. In winter, fall or spring, the sun's heat can be very interesting, while on warmer days it is better to keep the sun out to keep the inside fresh. (Image: Marc Scheepers)

Airtight integration of screens or shutters - the builder gets a lot in return. For example, the building knots that cause the cabinet, guides and window sill were solved. With screens and/or shutters you also avoid overheating, which is after all one of the biggest problems in new construction or renovation. "Because overheating is avoided in hot periods, the building owner also does not have to invest in an energy-consuming air conditioner to lower the temperature. Roller shutters additionally make it easier to keep the heat in during the cold winter months," Tiri states. "Moreover, screens and shutters also have a big advantage over solar control glazing when it comes to the solar factor. The so-called g-value at the glazing always remains the same, so you always let the sun in evenly or keep it out. Screens and roller shutters can be set to sun power, allowing the owner to adjust the solar irradiation  can control. In winter, fall or spring, the sun's heat can be very interesting, while on warmer days it's better to keep the sun out to keep it fresh inside."