Glass Options
One decision that you will have to make when you are about to place your order is what glass to use. The type of project will generally dictate what types of glazing will be required and compliance with Building Regulations although personal preferences such as the level of security, privacy, acoustic and thermal properties should also be considered.
What is a u-value
A U-value is a calculation of the amount of heat lost through a building material. The value is calculated as heat lost per hour per square metre (W/m2K); a low U-value therefore indicates a more thermally efficient building material.
Document L (Document J in Scotland) is part of the Government’s Building Regulations. Revised October 2010, following the Regulatory Impact Assessment, which controls the acceptable U-value of your home – in general terms, an average U-value of 1.8W/m2K is now required.
All new housing and replacement doors and windows must comply with Document L (Document J in Scotland), unless specifically excluded. If you are planning any new building or renovation work, it is always advisable to contact your local planning office for advice on how the building regulations affect you and your project. Although IDSystems can offer general help and assistance based on past experience, we are not an authority on the building regulations and are unable to offer professional advice.
Low ‘e’ (Emissivity) glass
IDSystems is required to comply with Document L and our standard quotation includes the application of low ‘e’ (emissivity) to the inside of the inner pane that reduces the amount of heat loss through the glass. In addition, an inert argon gas can be added to the cavity between the glass sheets, thereby reducing the u-value by a further 0.15W/m2K. A ‘soft coat’ low ‘e’ (emissivity) glass represents a revolutionary development in so far as improved thermal performance providing an environmentally friendly solution, given the lower CO2 emissions associated with reduced energy consumption and a considerable reduction in heating bills, when compared to the tradition ‘hard coat’ low ‘e’ glass. For enhanced thermal performance triple glazed units are available with a centre pane U-value depending upon specification, as low as 0.6 W/m2K
Warm edge spacer
Up to 80% of energy loss through a window occurs due to the spacer bar being a conductive material, a warm edge spacer reduces these thermal heat losses which is good news to the environment and even better news to you, further benefits include up to 70% reduction in condensation and improved noise reduction, please ask a member of our team for further details.
Solar control or comfort glass
The sun can make glass roofs, conservatories or south facing elevations quite unbearable in the depths of the summer months like stepping into a greenhouse. A solar control glass is a glass with a special coating designed to reduce the amount of heat entering a building. It reflects and absorbs heat as well as filtering light for reduced glare. Using a solar control glass can reduce the need for air conditioning and blinds. There are many types of solar control glass offering different aesthetic options tinted, reflective and neutral.
Building control can often recognise the benefits of solar gain in modern buildings. Large areas of glass will work as a source of free energy during cooler months with specialist glass, such as low-iron, a larger amount of heat and light is allowed through the glass and with high performance low-e the energy is retained within the building reducing the need of heating systems.
Safety glass
The Building Regulations Document N requires that a safety glass complying to BS6206 is used in any full-height moveable glass panel. This is usually toughened or laminated glass.
Toughened glass
As standard, IDSystems includes a double-glazed unit comprising of 4mm toughened glass complying with BS6206. The glass has been heat hardened (tempered), increasing its strength over ordinary annealed glass by up five times. There is also an added advantage that, should it break, it would shatter into hundreds of tiny non-sharp fragments. Laminated glass consists of two pieces of glass bonded together with an invisible polyvinyl butyral interlayer membrane forming a sandwich (similar to a car windscreen), making it very strong.
Laminated glass
The benefit of laminated glass is that, if broken, the glass cracks while still remaining attached to the plastic interlayer rather than falling and possibly causing injury; it also provides secure protection from unwanted visitors. In addition, laminated glass reduces bleaching of carpets, curtains and furniture by reducing the amount of ultra-violet rays that penetrate the glass.
Improved visual qualities
Due to the heat-tempering process used, 4mm toughened glass can sometimes suffer a slight visual rippled distortion. Although this is acceptable under British Standards, IDSystems recommends using 6mm toughened glass to reduce this distortion or 6.4mm clear laminate to eliminate the distortion altogether.
Custom designs
The choices are endless and only restricted by the limits of your imagination. IDSystems can provide all designs, from classic through to contemporary styles. We can also add a touch of elegance to one-off creative designs by incorporating elements such as internal Georgian bars, grid effects, sand-blasted motifs, leaded squares – the list goes on. For further information please visit our glass supplier’s website at www.uniglaze2.co.uk, and look under ‘products’
Cat flaps
It is possible to have a cat flap fitted into a solid glazed panel by cutting a circular hole into the toughened glass unit or by incorporating a midrail and a solid infill panel below with an integrated cat flap.
Venetian or pleated blinds
Venetian or pleated blinds are available, incorporated inside the sealed double glazed unit, ensuring a totally dust-free environment which therefore requires no cleaning. The blinds will always look new and be protected from damage, unlike external blind systems. These are very popular, especially on internally opening systems where curtains are not practical.
These integrated blinds can be tilted to help prevent the build up of excessive heat and glare of the sun during the daytime, whilst providing privacy when closed at night. Blind units can be manually operated with an ingenious magnetic control device or electronically operated via solar control or mains with a switch or remote control.
