Search Results for: Solar Control Glass

Low-E (Low Emissivity) Glass and Thermal Efficiency

| 22.12.23

Learn about Low-e glass and how it contributes to energy efficiency, as well as how it can perform under certain conditions.

What is Low-e glass?

Low emissivity glass is glass that has an invisible microscopic coating applied to it in order to improve its thermal efficiency.

How does Low-e glass improve thermal efficiency?

Low emissivity glass is an essential part of most energy-efficient windows and doors. It has a surface coating that operates as follows:

It allows short wavelength heat from the sun to enter your home through the glazing.

This solar energy works with your domestic heating system to warm up your room, which then gives off long-wavelength heat radiation.

A large proportion of that longwave heat would vanish back out through windows made of ordinary glass. However, the Low-e coating reflects that heat back into your room so the heating system does not have to work as hard to maintain comfortable room temperature.

Will Low-e glass meet the Building Regulations?

Better than merely meeting the Building Regulations, Low-e glass will enable you to both achieve and surpass the new targets for windows and doors.

What other characteristics should I be aware of?

Whilst there are significant advantages to selecting thermally efficient Low-e glass for your home, there can be some side effects under certain conditions.

Tint

Recent innovations in creating neutral Low-e coatings minimise the phenomenon of light coloured materials (such as net curtains) appearing slightly darker when viewed through the glass.

Haze

This phenomenon may occur at times of the day when the sun is at a particular angle or under some lighting conditions. It can also be influenced by the type of Low-e coating used.

External condensation

Thermally efficient windows are so good at keeping the heat in that the outer pane can get cold, as it is no longer being warmed by wasted heat.

Under some weather conditions and at certain times of the year, this can result in the formation of condensation on the outside surface of the glass. This is a positive indication of a thermally efficient window.

Hue

Depending on coating type, glass substrate and glass thickness, some slight colour or hue differences may be noticeable on Low-e glass.
This may be more evident when one double or triple glazed window unit is replaced in a home, as the Low-e coating will likely be slightly different (i.e. from a different batch) from those on the other window units.

Overheating

Certain Low-e glass is good at solar heat gain, harvesting free heat energy from the sun, helping to reduce heating demands. In some situations, this can cause overheating resulting in an uncomfortable environment.

It is recommended that a combination of Low-e and solar control glazing be considered for large glazed areas, particularly south-facing conservatories. Guidance should be sought from the manufacturer or supplier.

For more advice about energy efficient windows and other glazing home improvements, contact a GGF Member company near you.

GGF Technical team all set for glasstec 2018 in Dusseldorf

Events, News | 23.10.18

The GGF is ready for the 25^th glasstec Trade Fair, to be held in Dusseldorf from 23-26 October.

Glasstec provides a unique international platform for the GGF technical team who are preparing for a week of offering technical advice, product testing demonstration and corporate hospitality at the glass industry’s largest exhibition.

With over 1200 exhibitors from 52 countries, glasstec attracts over 40,000 international visitors as the show highlights the unlimited variety of possibilities of glass applications. Nowhere else is the potential of glass as a high-tech construction material presented in such a comprehensive fashion.

The show offers an unparalleled overview of the industry from manufacturing, processing and finishing through to new products and their applications. With international experts from research and practice, glasstec will cover the following specialist areas:

Glass manufacture/production technology
Glass processing and ﬁnishing
Glass products and applications
Solar production technology and components and pre-products for solar manufacture
Solar end products and their applications
Multifunctional facade technology
Crafts, ﬁnishing and design
Tools, spare and wear parts
Measurement and control technology

On exhibiting at the show, Steve Rice, GGF Director of Technical Affairs commented, “We are looking forward to promoting our technical services at glasstec, including our first hand guidance, technical publications, consultancy and product testing. I invite all members to come and visit us at this superb exhibition of glass products.”

All members are invited to visit the GGF stand in Hall 11, Stand Number: G38, where they can take full advantage of the Members free hospitality area.

Glasstec opens on 23 October and runs until 26 October. For more information about the show please visit the glasstec website.

BETWEEN GLASS BLINDS JOINS THE GGF

News | 21.05.18

The GGF is pleased to announce that Between Glass Blinds (BGB) has joined the GGF

Between Glass Blinds is a leading manufacturer of double-glazed units complete with fully integrated Venetian and pleated blinds hermetically sealed between two panes of glass. Both stylish and contemporary in appearance, easy to maintain with the blinds contained within the sealed unit safe from dust and dirt BGB units are the ideal shading and privacy glazing solution.

Ideal for bi-folding and sliding doors where other types of blind and curtain are not practical or achievable, BGB units can also be utilised in conservatories, office partitioning, observation areas in hospitals, schools, prisons and other public buildings – a truly versatile, user-friendly and discreet double-glazed integral blind system suitable for installation both internally and externally.

John Nerden, Between Glass Blinds Director commented, “We are delighted to join the GGF and look forward to the networking and building our contacts as well as being more involved in the GGF groups such as the Window and Door Group and Conservatory Association.”

Shaun McAllister, GGF Managing Director commented, “We are delighted that Between Glass Blinds has joined the Federation. Not only are they a highly respected company in their sector, but their joining expands the GGF’s scope of sectors within the industry.”

BGB units are available with an operating system designed to suit every environment. The BGB range includes a cordless manually-controlled unit operated via a smooth user-friendly sliding magnet, as well as motorised units which can be controlled via programmable infra-red or radio frequency remote units or work as part of a fully automated smart home system.

All BGB systems are available in a wide range of colours as well as a full range of glazing options including solar control, noise reduction and fire resistance. BGB is the ideal solution for small, medium or large scale privacy and shading needs within Commercial, Residential, Healthcare, Education and office environments. They allow an open plan feel to be achieved whilst still ensuring shade and privacy are still possible when needed.

For further information on Between Glass Blinds please visit betweenglassblinds.co.uk/home/about-us/

If you have a comment to make or any information relating to this article please contact the GGF

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Pilkington Plyglass

| 18.09.17

We are highly focused on quality and service, continually improving to deliver the benefits of our technical capability and innovation to our customers and on to the end user. Our development and market leadership have led to successful new products and initiatives for the benefit of the industry.

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Ecoglass Ltd

| 18.09.17

Established in 1949, Ecoglass are an independent glass supplier in Norfolk, that has continued to grow and become a market leader in the manufacture and supply of insulating glass units, toughened glass, laminated glass and glass processing.

With over 60 years experience within the glass industry, we have continued to adapt to an ever changing marketplace and exacting customer requirements to ensure our customers receive only the highest quality products.

We manufacture in excess of 8,000 glass sealed units per week, including Pilkington obscure glass, decorative glass panels,

Investing in state of the art machinery has enabled us to supply our customers with the latest in glass technologies, such as, solar controlled glass, self cleaning glass which is perfect for conservatory windows and triple glazing.

This has enabled us to become a Premier Glass Supplier supplying applications such as UPVC conservatories, glass replacement and of course glass for windows, in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Please take a look at our products page to find more information.

Using only the best high quality materials such as Pilkington and Saint Gobain we can ensure that our products are a leading brand within the glass industry.

Our dedicated and highly skilled workforce are committed to producing all of our glass products to an excellent quality for all our clients both large and small.

At Ecoglass our commitment to provide all of our customers with the highest possible glass products will always will be paramount to us. With years of experience we have always adapted our systems, procedures and processes to enable us to always manufacture top quality products.

High Performance Insulated Glass Units
Toughened Glass
Glass Balustrading
Self Cleaning Glass
Leaded Glass Panels
Georgian Bar Designs
Conservatory Glass
Laminated Glass
Triple Glazing

Glass Supplier
Toughened Glass
Laminated Glass
Solar control and roof glass
Triple Glazing

Guardian Glass UK Ltd

| 18.09.17

Guardian Glass UK Ltd is a market leader in the manufacture & supply of float glass, at Guardian we believe in innovation & have developed high performance coated glass products for all commercial & residential needs. Our Laminated glass range also ensures we have the products to suit your business.

Clear float glass manufacturer
Laminated safety, colour & sound control glass from our LamiGlass range
Thermally insulation low emissivity glass from our ClimaGuard range
High performance coated glass for solar control & thermal insulation from our SunGuard range
Acid etched translucent glass for privacy & decoration from our Satindeco range

Hall & Warner Glass Centres Ltd

| 18.09.17

Glass and Glazing Company with staff experience of over 100 years.
Bespoke installation of Bathroom – Shower Enclosures and Mirrors.
New Windows and Doors – UPVc and Wooden.
Solar Control and Safety Films.
Safety Glass – Fire Glass – Decorative Glass.

Glass and Glazing
Bespoke installation of Shower Enclosures
Solar Control and Safety Films
All types of Mirrors.
New Windows and Doors

Super Spacer® T-Spacer™ helps Oslo’s Økern Portal aim for BREEAM certification

Members News | 10.08.21

Scandinavian nations have long been ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability – and Norway is often cited as the greenest country in the world.

In 2016, the Norwegian Parliament made a radical commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 – most of the world’s developed countries are aiming for 2050 – and hydropower already accounts for 95% of the nation’s energy.

Which means it’s no surprise that Norway is home to some of the world’s most innovative green buildings.

Økern Portal is one such development – an 80,000 square-metre complex in Oslo, the country’s capital, containing office spaces, hotels, shops and restaurants.

The striking building was constructed on stilts, designed to look like the trunks of trees, while horizontal facets in its glass and aluminium façade resemble leaves.

It’s a fitting aesthetic, because the Økern Portal has been built to be sustainable in every respect.

Tasked with imagining a cutting-edge structure capable of achieving BREEAM certification, the Portal’s designers produced one that minimised energy use, waste and pollution, and was made of sustainable materials.

Its highly distinctive 14,600 square-metre façade consists of 75% end-of-life aluminium, with a guaranteed carbon footprint of less than 2.3kg of carbon dioxide per 1kg of metal – 84% lower than average.

Meanwhile, on the roof, the building is helping re-establish biodiversity in Oslo, featuring urban gardens and beehives, as well as running tracks.

Achieving outstanding environmental performance also meant paying considerable attention to the glazing.

The Portal’s first two floors feature 3,000 square metres of triple glazing, featuring highly translucent, colour-neutral solar control glass, capable of sound insulation of between 32 and 38dB, and offering U-values of 0.6 or below.

One crucial element contributing to that exceptional performance is Edgetech’s Super Spacer® T-Spacer™ Premium.

To achieve a thickness of 55mm for each unit, T-Spacer™ in widths of 14, 16 or 18mm were used in conjunction with the automated application line operated by respected Danish glass supplier Glaseksperten.

“T-Spacer™ is our preferred warm edge for demanding sustainability projects such as the Økern Portal due to its excellent energy performance,” comments Glaseksperten Sales Manager Jess Gregersen. “It also helps us ensure extremely precise spacer application, even under high-pressure deadlines.”

Edgetech Managing Director Chris Alderson comments: “With urgent action needed all over the world to rapidly cut carbon emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change, it’s hugely encouraging to see so many innovative new developments achieving impressive leaps in sustainability.

“As ever, at Edgetech, we’re delighted and proud to play a part in delivering the green buildings of tomorrow.”

For more information, please call 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

Planning a conservatory – things to consider

| 22.12.23

Planning your conservatory

With a wide range of conservatory types available, careful thought and planning can help you decide on the one that fits best with your home and suits the needs of everyone who will be using it.

Once you’ve chosen a conservatory style, here are some more things to consider when planning your glazed home extension.

Size

When deciding on the size of your new conservatory, make sure you’ll have enough space to enjoy it. A handy tip is to mark out the planned dimensions in your living room so you can see how much furniture you’ll be able to fit.

Sunlight

How much direct sunlight will your conservatory receive and at what time of the day? This could have a bearing on your choice of building location and also interior design decisions.

The orientation of your conservatory may mean that certain specifications of glazing are more appropriate than others because of the impact of solar heat gain from the sun (see ‘Glazing’ below).

Materials – general

You can choose from a wide range of materials for your conservatory, not only for the frames but also in the glazing, the roof and any masonry.

Think about the mood and texture you want to achieve. Some people like the ‘outdoor’ feel with tiled floors, patio-type furniture and bare brick or stone for the house wall; others prefer an ‘indoor’ character with carpeting, soft furnishings and wall coverings.

Materials – frame

Aluminium, with thermal breaks for enhanced heat insulation, is a popular choice and is available in a range of colours and finishes.

PVC-U is the most popular frame material with its long life expectancy and minimal maintenance, especially as nowadays a range of wood grain-effect finishes combine the authentic look of wood with all the toughness of PVC-U.

Wood is the natural choice for people who insist on the real thing.

Glazing

Double glazing is a must nowadays to keep a conservatory comfortable all year round and by using low emissivity (Low-E) glass, it can cut heat loss even more.

If the conservatory is south or west facing it is advisable to consider the use of a modern solar control glass for the roof and side panels of the conservatory.

Solar control options range from ‘body tinted’ glass (where the colour in the glass absorbs heat from the sun) to ‘metallic coated’ glass products.

Modern metallic coated products have the advantage of being neutral in appearance, not obscuring views, while still reflecting the sun’s heat.

Roofing

There are two main choices of roofing – glass or polycarbonate.

Glass gives you a clear view through the roof – it can be supplied with solar control and self-cleaning coatings too. Laminated glass and safety filmed glass can add protection you from any falling debris on the roof glazing of your conservatory.

Polycarbonate creates a softer light effect in bright sun (however, it is slightly noisier in heavy rain or hail).

Ventilation

Ventilation is important. You need to be sure that your conservatory will let in fresh air and avoid condensation.

The internal environment can be carefully controlled with the correct specification of both materials and ventilation. Many roofs have built-in trickle ventilation and Building Regulations specify a certain area of opening windows per floor area.

Technological developments mean that you can have opening roof vents installed that can be thermostatically controlled with built-in rain sensors.

Sound control

Whether it be rain, music, lawn mower, traffic or aircraft noise, reducing the impact of environmental sound can enhance the enjoyment of your conservatory.

The use of laminated glass or enhanced acoustic insulation laminated glass can lessen the amount of noise transferring into or out of your conservatory.

In addition, laminated or acoustic laminated glasses have the extra benefit of reducing standard ultra-violet (UV) light transmission. This means sun bleaching of furniture or fittings is dramatically slowed.

Cleaning and maintenance

Consider what will be required to clean and maintain the glass throughout your conservatory.

Surface modified glass such as self-cleaning glass is available from many glazing companies and can reduce the need for cleaning the external window panes, particularly in difficult-to-reach roof areas.

Comfort and convenience

Comfort levels and environmental factors should be considered. You may wish to extend your home’s central heating, install a separate heater or go for an underfloor heating system, but remember careful specification, design of materials and the location of the conservatory itself can all lead to natural environmental control.

Similarly, you can have overhead wiring for lights built-in or simply a few wall sockets for a table lamp and other appliances.

For more advice on choosing the right conservatory for your needs, get in touch with a local GGF Member company.

TriSeal™ Premium Plus spearheads Paris sustainability revolution

Members News | 21.06.21

For hundreds of years, the town of Saint-Denis played an integral part in French history – both as the historic resting place of generations of the country’s Royals, and the birthplace of Gothic architecture.

But today, it’s home to pioneering buildings of a very different kind. A suburb of Paris since the 1960s, it’s now at the forefront of the French capital’s sustainability revolution.

In 2024, Saint-Denis will be the site of the athlete’s village at the Paris Olympics, which is being built to stringent sustainability standards (all buildings under eight storeys must be made of wood). And nearby, you’ll find the 30-hectare ZAC de la Montjoie eco-district – which is home to a spectacular new building only made possible with Edgetech innovation.

The Curve is a 24,400 square-metre, seven-storey office complex that accommodates over a thousand businesses, restaurants, fitness centres and more.

The building’s sustainably-sourced wooden structure consists of 5,000 cubic metres of laminated timber, while its 10,000 square-metre glass façade has been designed to flood the interior with natural light, and therefore reduce the need for electric lighting.

Especially innovative and challenging to execute were the building’s rounded glass corners, which were made of concavely and convexly-curved units, consisting of Saint-Gobain solar control glass, and, crucially, Edgetech’s Super Spacer® TriSeal™ Premium Plus.

TriSeal is a triple-seal system designed to meet the most stringent commercial requirements.

With a thermal conductivity of just 0.15 W/mk, excellent condensation resistance, shape retention and colour stability, and outstanding longevity, TriSeal was the perfect choice for this state-of-the-art sustainable architecture.

“Architects around the world are at the forefront of efforts to make our built environments as sustainable as they can possibly be,” comments Edgetech Managing Director Chris Alderson.

“We’re delighted to be playing a part in bringing so many boundary-breaking green buildings to life – and are confident that Super Spacer® TriSeal™ Premium Plus will ensure the Curve’s thousands of glass units will continue performing to the highest standards for many years to come.”

For more information, please call 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

How to keep a conservatory cool in summer

| 02.06.20

Conservatories are bright, airy spaces you can enjoy in all seasons, however, an overheated conservatory can spoil the fun. Discover our tips to reduce heat and keep cool this summer.

There is a reason the conservatory is so popular as a home extension – this versatile glazed extension has endless design possibilities and can be adapted to any lifestyle.

An abundance of glazed surfaces bathe the conservatory in natural light. Yet with sunlight comes heat! Energy-efficient glazing is designed to minimise heat lost through windows, however, if this heat becomes trapped overheating can become an issue.

Luckily there are several things you can do to ensure your conservatory reduces its heat and remains a cool and relaxing place over summer.

Ventilate your conservatory well

Air trapped in a conservatory is a surefire recipe for overheating. The most obvious way to reduce the chance of a ‘greenhouse effect’ occurring is to ensure air can circulate easily between the indoors and outdoors.

There are many ways to ventilate your conservatory – from the rapid purge ventilation of simply opening a window or door, to passive background ventilation via permanent roof vents or trickle ventilators in windows.

Adequate ventilation will help keep your conservatory cool in hot weather – but that’s not all it will do. It will also ensure airborne moisture and pollutants are regularly flushed out of your home.

This will keep the indoor air quality high, contributing to a healthier and more comfortable living environment (and helping lessen the chance of condensation).

Shade your conservatory from the sun

Roof and window blinds, shades, awnings, and sails can shield a conservatory from direct sunlight and provide welcome respite at the height of summer.

Some strategic planting in the garden can have a similar effect. Trees planted adjacent to a conservatory can provide natural sun cover – deciduous trees can even still let the sun through during winter.

Install solar control or tinted glazing

The sun brings light but also heat. Special types of glazing can act as a filter between the two, accepting the light while reducing the amount of the sun’s heat transmitted into a conservatory.

Solar control glass allows sunlight to pass through but reflects and radiates away some of the heat. Using this type of glazing on the roof and windows of a conservatory can have a significant effect on the temperature within.

Retrofit window film to glazed surfaces

Don’t want to replace your conservatory glazing? Window film can provide similar reductions in solar heat gain.

Applied directly to the glass, specialised solar control window film can help to dramatically reduce overheating in conservatories. It can also help in reducing glare and provide UV protection that protects furniture and furnishings from fading.

Our advice: Plan ahead & combine strategies

The best way to prevent a conservatory from overheating is to design it that way from the start. Talk to a conservatory professional about your options at the design stage to ensure your new glazed extension remains comfortable even at the hottest time of the year.

If you do find yourself with a conservatory that gets uncomfortably warm, consider all of the above options not just separately but in combination as well. As each conservatory design and location is different, the combination of strategies that will best tackle an overheated conservatory will be unique to each situation.

Glazing professionals can help you find the right solution for your conservatory – find your local GGF Member companies using the ‘Find a glazing company’ search above.

Pilkington Basingstoke

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Birmingham

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Bradford

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Bristol

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Cumbernauld

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Gateshead

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Nottingham

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Salford

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington United Kingdom Limited

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity Pilkington K Glass™ range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

Pilkington Architectural

| 18.09.17

Low emissivity glass range for thermal insulation
Pilkington Activ™ range of self-cleaning and solar control glass
Pilkington energiKare™ range for energy efficient windows
Pilkington Pyrostop™ fire resistant glass
Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass

How to keep your home cool in a heat wave

| 19.07.16

Feeling the heat before you’ve even walked out the door? Here are some handy tips to ensure your home stays cooler during the hot summer months.

1. Keep curtains and blinds closed

The simplest way to avoid the heat of the sun is to block it out. Close any curtains and blinds on the sun-exposed side of your home – and remember that this side may change throughout the day.

2. Avoid generating heat & humidity

When the mercury rises, it may be advisable to shelve those plans for an oven roast and opt for a cold salad instead. Similarly, cover pans on the stovetop and take shorter showers to avoid increasing your home’s humidity through the generation of steam.

3. Set trickle ventilators to the open position

With the sun’s heat dissipating at the end of the day, it’s natural to want to let the cooler night air into your home and even to leave windows open overnight.

In this case it is important to make sure security latches are set, or if you have trickle ventilators to simply verify these are in the open position – allowing cool air to flow in while maintaining the security of a closed window.

4. Use high efficiency lighting

The light bulbs in your home give off heat as well as light. Fluorescent and LED light bulbs generate significantly less heat than incandescent bulbs, so switching to these can make a real difference.

5. Open windows to create airflow

Opening windows on opposite sides of a room or your house can create a corridor for air to flow through, resulting in a refreshing breeze circulating in your home. Remember to consider the security requirements of any open windows to protect your property and possessions.

6. Investigate glazing solutions

If your home has air conditioning, insulating glass units such as double glazed or triple glazed window units can assist in keeping the air in your home cooler and minimise heat transfer from the outdoors entering via conduction. Solar control glass types are widely available if you are considering installing new windows.

7. Consider window film for your windows

Applying solar control film to your home’s windows can reduce the amount of the sun’s heat that penetrates through them and into your home. Talk to a glazing professional about whether window film could help keep your home cooler in summer.

Conservatories and energy efficiency

| 22.12.23

A well-designed conservatory can be incredibly energy efficient – improving the level of comfort in your home, helping you save on your monthly energy bill and offering environmental benefits all year round.

A buffer zone for your home

Adding a conservatory to your home can help reduce your overall energy use by creating a ‘buffer zone’ between indoor and outdoor living areas.

Any heat that escapes through your home’s walls into the conservatory will help create a warm space on colder days.

That’s not all, the captured heat can then re-heat the main building on cold days when the doors between your home and the conservatory are opened.

This buffer effect of storing naturally produced heat is an easy way to be environmentally responsible and save on your energy bill.

Improved thermal efficiency

A conservatory can be designed with varying degrees of thermal efficiency. When planning your conservatory, talk to your local GGF Member about the following:

– External quality double glazed doors between your home and the conservatory can provide added thermal performance and security

– Low-emissivity coatings on the inside face of double glazed windows can reduce heat loss from radiators inside the structure. This is strongly recommended for north-facing conservatories.

– Solar control layers can control glare and the amount of the sun’s energy that is transferred into the living space. This is specifically recommended for south-facing conservatories.

– Heating appliances with their own thermostatic controls will allow you to separately control the conservatory’s temperature.

– Designing in natural ventilation such as trickle ventilators, top opening windows or roof vents is far more economical (and environmentally friendly) than air conditioning.

Green credentials of a typical conservatory

The materials typically used to build a conservatory feature a large percentage of recycled material. In addition, the key materials used within your conservatory are all recyclable at the end of the conservatory’s life.

– Aluminium (this can be the conservatory itself or its structural elements) is recyclable with up to 95% being reused.

– PVC-U profiles used in the side frames are 100% recyclable and can be reused numerous times.

– Timber can be fully recycled, and must be responsibly sourced.

– Glass is 100% recyclable.

A new wave: Edgetech’s flexible spacers transform Swedish skyline

Members News | 25.07.22

In historic Gothenberg, Sweden, they’re embarking on a staggeringly ambitious project that will see the city centre almost double in size – and at its heart, you’ll find a spectacular project featuring Edgetech warm-edge spacer bars.

The vision of Scandinavia’s largest architectural practise, White Arkitekter, the new Masthuggskajen district sits on the banks of the Göta River.

It’s that river that the dazzling, BREEAM-certified Våghuset building is designed to emulate. The 12-storey structure has a gleaming glass façade, which, on its East-facing aspect, looks like ocean waves.

Achieving this effect was a major undertaking, drawing on expertise from all around Europe. The façade was made in Lithuania, the curved profile was manufactured in Denmark, while the glazing was produced in Poland and Germany.

Over 300 curved IGUs were supplied to the project, made of 2 x 5mm laminated float glass with SunGuard® SNX 60 solar control glazing, which lets in 60% of daylight but only 29% of heat, removing the need for solar shading.

Perimeter lighting has been integrated into the façade profiles, meaning the building’s outline is always visible.

Given the curved, cylindrically-shaped glass required in the façade, an outstanding flexible spacer like Edgetech’s Super Spacer® TriSeal™ was the only solution.

TriSeal’s flexible design meant it could be moulded into the distinctive wave-like shape, while offering exceptional performance.

What’s more, TriSeal offers world-class performance with its unique triple seal design, incorporating an inner acrylic adhesive seal for immediate unit handling, a polyisobutylene primary seal for enhanced gas retention and low moisture vapour transmission, and an outer silicone seal for structural strength and durability.

The flexible foam structure handles both curved profiles and rectangles with ease, while at the same time enabling outstanding thermal efficiency.

These attributes will prove especially important given the Swedish climate, where winter temperatures can drop as low as -15 degrees Celsius.

Charlotte Hawkes, Edgetech’s Head of Marketing, comments: “This is yet another example of the unparalleled freedom our fantastic flexible spacers give to architects.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be a part of this spectacular project, which I’m confident will go on to become a much-loved feature of the Gothenberg skyline for decades to come.”

For more information, please call 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

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Search Results for: Solar Control Glass

Learn about Low-e glass and how it contributes to energy efficiency, as well as how it can perform under certain conditions.

What is Low-e glass?

How does Low-e glass improve thermal efficiency?

Will Low-e glass meet the Building Regulations?

What other characteristics should I be aware of?

Tint

Haze

External condensation

Hue

Overheating

For more advice about energy efficient windows and other glazing home improvements, contact a GGF Member company near you.

The GGF is ready for the 25th glasstec Trade Fair, to be held in Dusseldorf from 23-26 October.

Planning your conservatory

Size

Sunlight

Materials – general

Materials – frame

Glazing

Roofing

Ventilation

Sound control

Cleaning and maintenance

Comfort and convenience

For more advice on choosing the right conservatory for your needs, get in touch with a local GGF Member company.

Conservatories are bright, airy spaces you can enjoy in all seasons, however, an overheated conservatory can spoil the fun. Discover our tips to reduce heat and keep cool this summer.

Ventilate your conservatory well

Shade your conservatory from the sun

Install solar control or tinted glazing

Retrofit window film to glazed surfaces

Our advice: Plan ahead & combine strategies

Related topics

1. Keep curtains and blinds closed

2. Avoid generating heat & humidity

3. Set trickle ventilators to the open position

4. Use high efficiency lighting

5. Open windows to create airflow

6. Investigate glazing solutions

7. Consider window film for your windows

Related topics

GGF Member companies offer a range of solutions to keep your home cooler during the summer (and warmer during the winter). Find a local GGF Member company

A buffer zone for your home

Improved thermal efficiency

Green credentials of a typical conservatory

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The GGF is ready for the 25^th glasstec Trade Fair, to be held in Dusseldorf from 23-26 October.