Aerogel glazing systems for the energy efficiency of buildings: A review

To maintain indoor comfort, buildings and the construction sector in general consume 30-40% of the World’s total energy. This is mainly due to air conditioning, ventilation, and heating. The least effective and weakest elements of the building envelope are windows and glazed surfaces. So far, several technological solutions have been designed to reduce heat losses and eliminate excessive heat gains through transparent surfaces. In recent decades, aerogel has attracted attention, mainly known for its excellent thermotechnical properties and transparent structure. As a result, it is considered one of the most promising thermal insulation materials for building applications. This paper provides a comprehensive review of aerogel glazing systems, their properties and future potential in the construction industry (especially in the energy efficiency of buildings).