In hot climates, solar control glass can be used to minimise solar heat gain and help control glare. In temperate regions, it can be used to balance solar control with high levels of natural light. Solar control glass can be specified for any situation where excessive solar heat gain is likely to be an issue, eg. large facades, glass walkways, atria and conservatories.

Solar control glass is a hi-tech product developed by the glass industry to allow sunlight to pass through a window or façade while radiating and reflecting away a large degree of the sun’s heat. The indoor space stays bright and much cooler than would be the case if normal glass were used. Solar control glass is not necessarily coloured or mirrored glass, although such finishes can be applied for aesthetic purposes if desired.

A solar solution. Solar control glazing, as its name suggests, helps to minimise temperature build-up in buildings due to sunlight. When specifying solar control glazing, the most important parameter to consider is the total solar heat transmittance or g value. It includes the proportion of solar radiation transmitted directly through the glass, and the proportion of solar radiation absorbed by the glass and re-radiated into the building. Generally, the lower the g value, the lower the solar ...

Range of solar control and light transmittance options available; Solar radiation transmittance (g-value) ranging from 0.42 down to 0.17; External light reflections ranging from a low 10% up to 42%; Light transmittance performance ranging from 70% to 28% giving excellent light/heat ratios

Phil Brown, European regulatory marketing manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, asks how much importance UK householders attach to energy-efficient glazing, and what could be done to educate customers.

Richer than pale blue, softer than deep blue, Pilkington Arctic Blue™ is a body tinted float glass providing high daylight transmittance, good solar control and attractive cool colour. For optimum solar and thermal performance, combine Pilkington Arctic Blue™ with a glass from the Pilkington K Glass™ range or Pilkington Optitherm™ range in an Insulating Glass Unit.

Pilkington Suncool™ provides superior solar control properties, helping to control solar gain whilst providing high light levels; Ideal for large vertical certain wall facades; Helps to keep the building cooler in summer, reducing or eliminating the need for air conditioning

Available with solar control for greater comfort during summer months. A simple and affordable way to enhance the look and value of your home. Creates a brighter environment with natural light, compared to polycarbonate roofs or indeed tiled conservatory roofs with or without skylights.

Solar control glass either reflects energy or absorbs it to reradiate the heat outwards. By its nature it gets hotter that clear glass and glass that is designed for thermal efficiency alone like Pilkington K Glass™ and Pilkington Optitherm SN™.

Panes 3000 x 2000 mm can be sputter coated at a rate of one every 60 seconds or so. Virtually any non-magnetic metal or alloy can be sputtered. If argon is in the chamber, a metallic coating results; if oxygen or nitrogen, the result is an oxide or a nitride. A large number of designed coatings is available.