Passive House Windows in Ireland — U-value, Frame, and What the Certifier Wants
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Passive House windows: U-value 0.7–0.8 W/m²K whole-window. Triple-glazed, timber or alu-clad frame, warm-edge spacer.
Passive House windows: U-value 0.7–0.8 W/m²K whole-window (including frame). Triple-glazed, timber or alu-clad frame, warm-edge spacer. The Passive House Institute (PHI) in Germany certifies specific window models. Check the certified list before specifying. A 150 m² Passive House has 25–35 m² of windows. Window cost: €25,000–€50,000 installed. The Passive House standard also requires: a psi-value (thermal bridge at the window-wall junction) of ≤0.04 W/m·K, which the architect details in the reveal. Window installation matters as much as the window: a Passive House window installed poorly is no better than a double-glazed unit.
When this matters most
You're building to Passive House standard and need to specify the windows.
When this doesn't apply
You're targeting A1 or A2, not Passive House.
Sources
Passive House Institute, Certified components. https://www.passivehouse.com/
Frequently asked questions
What is a Passive House window?
A window certified by the Passive House Institute with U-value 0.7–0.8 W/m²K whole-window. Triple-glazed, timber or alu-clad frame, warm-edge spacer.
How much do Passive House windows cost in Ireland?
€25,000–€50,000 installed for a 150 m² house with 25–35 m² of windows. Premium cost, but the airtightness and U-value are unmatched.
Where can I find Passive House certified windows?
The Passive House Institute (PHI) maintains a list of certified windows at passivehouse.com. Most major European manufacturers have certified models.
When this matters most
You're building to Passive House standard and need to specify the windows.
When this doesn't apply
You're targeting A1 or A2, not Passive House.
Where to go next
Next decision
The next step in your build sequence.
- Door Budget for a Self-Build in Ireland — Internal Doors, External Doors, and Ironmongery →
- Front Door in Ireland — Composite, Timber, Aluminium, and What the BER Counts →
- Garage Door in Ireland — Sectional, Roller, or Up-and-Over, and What the BER Counts →
- Sliding Doors in Ireland — Aluminium Sliders, Lift-and-Slide, and the U-value Trade-Off →
- Window Energy Rating in Ireland — What the Label Means and Why It Matters for BER →
- Window Installation in Ireland — Cavity Closer, Dpc, and the Airtightness Detail →
Branch into
Adjacent decisions at the same stage.
Watch out for
Common mistakes, hidden costs, gotchas.
Compare with
Alternative approaches worth knowing.