Beyond the View

About this episode

The episode features an interview with Andrew Dryden discussing the importance of high-performance windows in building energy efficiency.

An interview with Andrew Dryden. Windows are pivotal to the lived experience of a home. They impact the basic aesthetic and provide natural light, views, ventilation, and safety. However, they are also nearly always the largest single source of heat loss and gain - it's hard to overstate the importance of getting windows right, as they play a huge role in a building's energy use. Today, we're going to take a deep dive into high-performance architectural windows, exploring the technology that lets us control unwanted heat flow through conduction, convection, and radiation. We'll be looking at the technical specs U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), air leakage and visual transmittance, as well as the fundamental differences between US and European manufacturing philosophies. Article from Passive House Accelerator: How Windows Make (Or Break) Wall Performance Andrew Dryden Andrew Dryden is the Owner of Pivot Windows LLC . He is dedicated to promoting sustainable construction practices that enhance energy efficiency and overall building performance. His journey began during a transformative sabbatical year in the Pacific Northwest, where he constructed his own…

People in this episode

Guest: Andrew Dryden

Topics covered

• high-performance windows
• energy efficiency
• building performance
• sustainable construction
• architectural technology

Keywords

• windows
• energy use
• U-factor
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
• air leakage
• visual transmittance
• construction practices

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pivot Windows LLC, Passive House Accelerator

Places: Pacific Northwest

More episodes of The Building Science Podcast

• Perspectives on Hydronics in the Real World · April 25, 2026 · 1h 15m
• (Un)Healthy Homes · April 8, 2026 · 1h 16m
• Our Second PSA, The Humid Climate Conference in Austin May 4th & 5th! · March 23, 2026 · 17 min
• Our Hidden Roommates · February 12, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Hydronics: The OG HVAC - Part 2 · January 27, 2026 · 1h 22m
• Buildings as Habitat: Biodiversity-Informed Investments in Public Health · January 20, 2026 · 1h 17m