Scope

The Intelligent Retrofit System™ is a device, method and system for cladding windows in a substantially water and draft resistant manner while providing thermal breaks.

After conducting numerous and extensive patent searches the Company filed a petition for a utility patent in April 2007. It has also made formal application for the trade mark INTELLIGENT RETROFIT SYSTEM™.

Background

Maintaining the appearance, water tight integrity and energy efficiency of windows in buildings has long been a costly proposition for both residential and business properties. Many older properties were originally constructed with windows having wooden frames, mullions and sashes. Eventually metal, and in particular aluminum, window frames, mullions and sashes became common place for large multi-unit residential dwellings such as apartment buildings and condominiums.

Wooden window frames and mullions require significant upkeep in the form of periodic scraping, re-painting and caulking. Failure to perform this regular maintenance results in the deterioration of the window frames, mullions and related seals causing significant heating and cooling loss.

While aluminum windows are supposedly maintenance free, they are subject to pitting and discoloration. Water leakage, moisture and condensation are also a problem for aluminum windows where the seals between the aluminum and the glass panes have started to break down. Aluminum window frames also readily transfer cold and hot outdoor temperatures from the exterior to the interior of the frames resulting in not only significant heat or cooling loss through such frames with poor insulation values, but also causing the interior of the aluminum window frames to be cold or hot to the touch, and potentially causing frost or condensation on the inside surfaces. The seals of aluminum windows can also fail causing drafts and heating and cooling loss.

When windows start to break down, as indicated above, the problems are often so extensive that maintenance can not fully restore the damage and the only reliable way to remedy the problem is to replace the entire window, which is an extremely expensive and disruptive task,

Cladding for aluminum windows has thus far not been taught. Water leakage, drafts and heating and cooling loss continue to be problems for older aluminum windows.

The Intelligent Retrofit System™ provides a lasting solution to all of the above conditions. It is a way to seal the edges of new exterior window cladding, without disassembling, removing or replacing the existing window. It accomplishes this in a substantially water and draft resistant manner which reduces the transfer of heat and cold from the cladding to the frame and mullions.