Experimental study on the effect of modern gaskets on air infiltration rate and offer relations for calculating air infiltration of doors and windows

Study of air infiltration in a building is highly important from several aspects, such as energy, air quality, thermal comfort and pollution entrance to the building. In this paper, the effect of new gaskets on air infiltration rate of doors and windows was investigated. To do this, existed gaps between the common doors and windows of Iran were simulated and by installing eight various gaskets, with different material and cross sections, the air infiltration rates at different pressure differences were obtained. The objective of this study was to evaluate the airtight performance of different gaskets, in order to select the right type, as well as providing air infiltration rate data for caulking doors and windows for designer engineers. Results showed different airtight performance for various gaskets, in which, at higher pressures differences could reach up to six times. Data were fitted to the power-law model and the coefficients of the equation were obtained. Based on the results, practical recommendations for calculation of air infiltration rate from doors and windows were also given.