Fenestration, comprising windows and other openings in a building, influences occupant health and well-being while also enhancing energy efficiency through optimized design and placement. Selecting glazing materials that block or filter harmful UV radiation is crucial, as is having reliable methods to measure their UV transmission. This research paper, which comprises Part I of II, conducts an exhaustive analysis of the predominant methodologies and associated challenges inherent in assessing ultraviolet (UV) radiation transmission and deterioration status in fenestration, with particular emphasis on the usage of spectrophotometers and radiometers. It details the economic and operational challenges associated with these instruments and the limitations they pose in terms of sample size and the impact of glazing material degradation over time. Additionally, the paper provides a comparative analysis of UV radiation transmission characteristics across different glazing configurations such as green or yellow patterned glass, laminate glass, clear glass treated with UV protection film, and float glass. The review identifies laminated glass material as offering the best protection. Although spectrophotometers and radiometers offer high levels of accuracy in transmission data detection, their adoption is hindered by considerable financial and operational challenges. The paper underscores the need for developing alternative methodologies that are economically viable, operationally less complex, and are capable of overcoming the limitations of the traditional methods of detection, which will facilitate optimal fenestration configurations for UV protection and energy efficiency in buildings. The proposed Part II paper will explore UV imaging, image processing, and computer vision techniques as potential alternative approaches.

The growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings has highlighted the need for reliable and accurate methods to detect fenestration deterioration and assess UV radiation transmission. Traditional detection techniques, such as spectrophotometers and radiometers, discussed in Part I, are often expensive and invasive, necessitating more accessible and cost-effective solutions. This study, which is Part II, provides an in-depth exploration of the concepts and methodologies underlying UV bandpass-filtered imaging, advanced image processing techniques, and the mechanisms of pixel transformation equations. The aim is to lay the groundwork for a unified approach to detecting ultraviolet (UV) radiation transmission in fenestration glazing. By exploiting the capabilities of digital imaging devices, including widely accessible smartphones, and integrating them with robust segmentation techniques and mathematical transformations, this research paves the way for an innovative and potentially democratized approach to UV detection in fenestration glazing. However, further research is required to optimize and tailor the detection methods and approaches using digital imaging, UV photography, image processing, and computer vision for specific applications in the fenestration industry and detecting UV transmission. The complex interplay of various physical phenomena related to UV radiation, digital imaging, and the unique characteristics of fenestration glazing necessitates the development of a cohesive framework that synergizes these techniques while addressing these intricacies. While extensively reviewing existing techniques, this paper highlights these challenges and sets the direction for future research in the UV imaging domain.

Residential buildings are one of the prime candidates in the United States for reducing energy consumption. Continuous exterior insulation (CEI) is being used increasingly often in residential buildings to improve energy efficiency. Windows constitute 15–40% of a building envelope and are the weakest component in energy performance. The installation of windows in walls with CEI has not been well evaluated. We identified four cases of installing windows in walls with CEI of 25–76 mm (1–3 in.) thickness and analyzed the energy loss between the window and wall interface (flanking loss), structural issues, air leakage, and moisture penetration. Thermal analysis showed that the insulation value (RSI) of the 305 mm (12 in.) perimeter wall surrounding a window decreased by 7.6–34.5% in the four cases when compared with the RSI of the wall without the window. A window installation method is proposed to address the issues likely to occur with installation methods currently being used in the field. An out-of-the-box installation system was also designed to achieve a better thermal performance, cost effectiveness, and structural performance in high-performance residential buildings.