Passive House Windows
for US projects
Passive House lives or dies on the windows. Hitting an installed whole-window U-factor near 0.14 takes triple glazing, a deep insulated frame, and a warm install detail - which is exactly what European systems are engineered for. I source PHI- and PHIUS-suitable windows and deliver them DDP to your US job site.
What actually qualifies as a Passive House window
The Passive House Institute sets the bar at an installed whole-window U-value of 0.80 W/(m2K) or lower - about a US U-factor of 0.14. The key word is installed: the certifier looks at the whole assembly, including the frame, the glass edge, the warm-edge spacer, and the way the window is set into the wall. A great glass package in a thermally weak frame, or a great window installed cold, will not pass.
That is why this is European territory. Reaching those numbers requires a deep, multi-chamber frame with a wide thermal break, triple glazing with two low-E coatings and argon or krypton fill, warm-edge spacers, and an install that keeps the frame and glass edge above the dew point. European systems have been built to this standard for decades.
Why European windows hit Passive House numbers
Triple glazing as standard
Two low-E coatings, argon or krypton fill, and warm-edge spacers come standard, not as a costly upgrade.
Deep insulated frames
30-40 mm thermal breaks, multi-chamber profiles, and foam or aerogel fills drive frame U-values European factories have spent decades tuning.
Tilt-and-turn airtightness
Multi-point perimeter sealing delivers the air-tightness a Passive House envelope and blower-door test demand.
Certified components
Many systems carry PHI component certification, so the data drops straight into your PHPP energy model.
Warm install details
Frames are designed for over-insulated, thermally bridged-free installation into the wall assembly.
Comfort and no condensation
Warm interior surfaces mean no cold draughts and no condensation on the frame - the comfort half of Passive House.
Systems that reach Passive House U-factors
A few of the systems I source most often for low-energy work. The right one depends on your design, climate, and PHPP targets.
Reynaers MasterLine 10
U-factor to 0.14 (Uw 0.78), PHI certified (phC)
View system →Aluprof MB-86 AERO
Aerogel-filled, U-factor to 0.11 (Uw 0.60)
View system →Reynaers MasterLine 8
U-factor to 0.16 (Uw 0.88), Passive House panel door variant
View system →Choosing between triple and double glazing? Read the glazing guide.
What do Passive House windows cost?
They sit at the top of the market - triple glazing, deep frames, and certified hardware are not cheap. But on a Passive House build the windows carry real load in the energy model, and the spend pays back through a smaller mechanical system and lower running costs. Every estimate I send is DDP - duties, freight, and customs already included.
Passive House windows - common questions
What makes a window Passive House qualified?+
The Passive House Institute (PHI) threshold is an installed whole-window U-value at or below 0.80 W/(m2K) - roughly a US U-factor of 0.14 - combined with good solar heat gain, warm-edge spacers, and an install detail that keeps the glass edge and frame warm. It is the whole assembly that qualifies, not the glass alone. In practice that means a deep insulated frame, triple glazing, and a thermally optimized installation.
Do European windows meet PHI and PHIUS standards?+
Yes. Triple-glazed European tilt-and-turn and lift-and-slide systems regularly hit the U-values PHI and PHIUS require, and several aluminum and PVC systems carry PHI component certification. The European industry has built around this standard for decades, which is why Passive House specifiers reach for European systems first.
Aluminum or PVC for a Passive House?+
Both can qualify. PVC tends to hit the lowest U-values for the least money. High-performance aluminum with a 30 mm-plus thermal break, multi-chamber profile, and foam or aerogel fill also reaches Passive House numbers while giving you slimmer sightlines and architectural finishes. I match the material to your design and budget rather than to one factory's catalog.
What U-factor do I need for Passive House?+
Aim for an installed whole-window U-factor around 0.14 (Uw 0.80 W/m2K) or better. Premium European systems reach US U-factors of 0.11 to 0.16 with triple glazing - MB-86 AERO and Reynaers MasterLine 10 sit at the top of that range. The exact target depends on your climate and the PHPP energy model for the building.
How much do Passive House windows cost?+
They sit at the top of the window market - triple glazing, deep frames, and certified hardware cost more than standard units. But on a Passive House project the windows are doing real work in the energy model, so the spend is justified by the heating-and-cooling savings and the certification it unlocks. Every estimate I send is DDP, so duties, freight, and customs are already in the number. Send your window schedule for a budget figure the same or next working day.
Can you provide the documentation my Passive House consultant needs?+
Yes. I provide the U-factor, SHGC, and frame data your PHPP model and certifier need, and NFRC-aligned documentation for code submittal where the configuration supports it. Send me the targets from your energy model and I will match systems that hit them on paper.
Hitting Passive House targets
on your next build?
Send me your window schedule and energy targets - I'll match systems that hit the numbers and have a budget estimate back the same or next working day.