Façades account for almost 50% of the thermal load in buildings in the tropics and are related to many occupant comfort issues, such as visual comfort and thermal comfort. SERIS operates a well-equipped laboratory for testing of thermal and optical properties of building façade materials and assemblies, conducted according to the ASTM C1199, C1363, C1371, NFRC 300-2010, NFRC 301-2010 and DIN-5036-3 standards.
The laboratory provides the following services:
- Measurement of the solar and luminous properties of architectural glasses [visible light transmittance, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC or g-value), shading coefficient (SC), U-value]
- Measurement of the emittance and solar reflectance of roof surface materials (e.g., paints, coatings, membranes) and calculation of the solar reflectance index (SRI)
- Measurement of the thermal insulation properties (U-value, R-value, thermal resistance, thermal conductivity) and the shading coefficient of building envelope materials and assemblies (e.g., windows, walls, insulating glazing units)
- Measurement of the visible light reflectance of façade materials(e.g. cladding panels)
- Calculation of the shading coefficient, visible light transmittance and U-value of window or door systems
In the area of façade technologies, our services for industry partners and opportunities for collaborative research include:
- Determination of solar and luminous properties of glazing systems
- Determination of the SHGC (or G-value), SC and U-value of fenestration and façade systems, including BIPV systems
- Other services such as cool roof material testing and insulation material testing