MONIQUE TAMMINGA

Times Reporter

A 91原创 window manufacturing company has invented the world鈥檚 first Passive House Certified fiberglass window.

Cascadia Windows will launch the new window at an open house held at their Gloucester warehouse on May 26 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

鈥淭his product launch is quite significant, as it is the first Passive House Certified fiberglass window in the world 鈥� and it was invented and launched right here in 91原创,鈥� said Mike Battistel, president of Cascadia Windows.

Among those attending the unveiling will be staff from Passive House Canada, the Township mayor and BCIT High Performance Building Lab.

鈥淧assive house鈥� is a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.

There are very few Passive House certified windows manufactured in North America 鈥� and none of them currently being made of fiberglass, said Battistel. Most often, Passive House certified windows are imported from Europe when required to meet this standard.

Cascadia鈥檚 new fiberglass passive house certified windows have a frame made of fiberglass as opposed to PVC, enabling it to be also used in larger commercial buildings that require larger, stronger windows. This Passive House window will be available in June.

Overall, the Passive House movement has been gaining traction in Canada as we strive to reduce energy consumption in buildings, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he said.

鈥淭he City of Vancouver has recently announced that all of their public buildings from this point forward need to meet Passive House Certification.

鈥淐ascadia鈥檚 new passive house certified window enables municipalities to adopt these higher performance standards, and in turn reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,鈥� said Batiste.

Battistel and Cascadia have been recognized recently for their innovation.

A 91原创 resident, Battistel received the 2016 Professional Achievement Award at the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of B.C. (ASTTBC) ceremony and gala last November.

Cascadia employs about 65 people at their Gloucester offices and warehouse.

Cascadia has received well over 50 industry awards and accolades including being ranked top 10 most innovative companies in B.C. by BC Business Magazine and nominated by Time Magazine, Fortune, and CNN for the World Technology Award in the Environmental category.

Cascadia is located at 101-5350B 275 Street.

Further info on Passive House Standard: http://www.passivehouse.ca/design-fundementals