Advances in glass manufacturing mean your project will be presented in an aesthetic manner and enable you to meet or even exceed your local energy guidelines. But glass performance has a more tangible, “human” side to it. For example, the glass allows you to enjoy the view of a severe blizzard while sitting in your comfy sofa. Helping enhance learning by filling classrooms with natural light. Reducing the risk of injury thanks to its high impact resistance.
Thermal Comfort
The temperature of the room plays a large part in the comfort you feel when you enter a room. Maximum comfort is ensured if the temperature difference between the room temperature and the adjacent wall and window surface is not higher than 5 °C / 41 °F.
State-of-the-art thermal insulating glazing provides “transparent insulation” by increasing the interior surface temperature of the glass to help minimize unwanted drafts and retain heat. This system also supports the building’s energy efficiency, as insulated glass reduces heat loss by reflecting heat back into the room. This way, you can sit or work by the window even in cold weather.
Solar Control
However, too much heat can also make a space intolerable. As we see the use of glass in building design continue to spread over ever larger surfaces, using solar control glass to create spaces where occupants can work, learn or play in comfort is critical.
When radiation from the sun hits the glass, some of the radiation passes unhindered, some is reflected back to the environment, and the rest is absorbed. Thanks to your choice of glass and coating, you can control the amount of solar energy transmitted to the interior spaces.
High-performance glass provides you with the comfort and beauty of abundant natural light, while also regulating glare and ultraviolet light transmission. Although you can’t see the UV light, prolonged exposure can cause discoloration on your furniture.
Natural Light
The benefits of natural light and the view outside are supported by written evidence; It improves exam results, increases retail sales, and even reduces the use of painkillers. The effect of sun-protected glass on energy transmission helps manage indoor heat so we can take advantage of these benefits.
High-performance glass with high light/solar heat gain or high selectivity makes it possible to take advantage of natural light in buildings in warmer climates, reducing the risk of interior overheating.
Meanwhile, our broad portfolio of multifunctional products also offers solutions for colder climates; here properly selected high performance glazing allows buildings to benefit from solar heat gain on cold but sunny days.
Besides being good for us, ample daylight can also be good for a building’s energy efficiency. Reducing reliance on artificial light and helping to keep interiors comfortable can improve a building’s energy performance.
Acoustic Comfort
There is constant sound all around us. Unfortunately, sounds that most of us enjoy, such as bird chirping or laughing, are drowned out by other less pleasant sounds. According to the World Health Organization, excessive noise can impair sleep quality, cause cardiovascular and psychophysiological problems, and lead to poor performance.
Glass helps us live and work comfortably despite the environment around us. Sound is transmitted through glass because the molecules compress each other and radiate this compression as a wave. The intensity and fluctuations of pressure, i.e. sound level, are measured in Decibels. A glass with a noise reduction capacity of 40 dB will reduce 70 dB of outside noise (eg the sound of a vehicle) to 30 dB inside the building.
Safety and Security
Performance glass provides transparency and beauty, as well as safety and security.
Glass gains strength when first heated and then rapidly cooled. This process creates permanent stress on the surface that strengthens the glass. It is important to note that flat glass must be cut and processed before heating. There are two types of heat treated glass:
Tempered Glass
Tempered (safe) glass is 4 times stronger than untreated (standard) glass. It is designed to break into small pieces when damaged. It is generally applied in showers and areas with heavy foot traffic.
Heat Strengthened Glass
Heat-strengthened glass is two times stronger than non-heat-treated glass and resists thermal stress and edge damage. When damaged, it usually stays in the frame. Heat strengthened glass is widely used in laminated glass applications to reduce the risk of thermal breakage.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass provides security thanks to the permanent connection of two or more single-pane glass with adhesive, elastic, highly tear-resistant interlayers. When damaged, fragments adhere to the interlayer, so the glass usually remains in the frame, maintaining its stability. Laminated glass can significantly increase a window’s ability to withstand or resist breakage from high winds, flying materials such as trash, and intrusion.