Glass
There are a number of glass and glazing options that can enhance both the performance and look of your home or business.
As the single most visible part of your window or door, it’s important to understand how the different glass options can affect your aluminium doors and windows – both visually and performance wise.
The right glass can strengthen the performance and appearance of your property
In New Zealand, buildings must meet certain energy efficiency standards which vary across the country. For most homes, that will mean single glazing may not satisfy the standard, and instead you will need to use insulated glass units (or IGU).
An IGU is made up of:
- 2 or more panes of glass (of which there are varying types and thicknesses to choose from)
- Held apart by a spacer (standard and thermally improved options are available)
- With the space between the panes of glass filled with air or an inert gas
- And sealed around the edges
Choosing the right glass for your IGU’s is as important as choosing the frames.
The right glass can maximise light, reduce heat loss, provide sound protection and minimise fading of your furnishings.
Depending on your individual needs and wishes, there may be a number of glass options right for you.
Please use this table to help you understand which glass you could use.
Privacy Glass
Before making your final selection make sure you check whether the glass will provide the same level of privacy in daytime and night time when internal lights are on.
Before making your final selection make sure you check whether the glass will provide the same level of privacy in daytime and night time when internal lights are on.
REFLECTIVE GLASS
Reflective glass is a processed glass which reflects more amount of light and provides mirror-like finish. Reflective glass also blocks solar heat coming from outside and thus helps in reducing the cost of air-conditioning.
TINTED GLASS
Tinted glass is made by adding metal oxides during manufacturing, reducing glare from outside and decreasing the amount of solar heat that reaches through the glass. Tinted glass will provide more privacy than clear glass, as its harder to see in.
PATTERNED / OBSCURE GLASS
The options of patterned and obscure glass are varied, with varying levels of opaqueness and therefore privacy available.
- Cathedral
- Opaque
- Stippalite
ENERGY EFFICIENT
Enjoy the best of the outdoors indoors and live closer to the view you love.
HOW IS THERMAL EFFICIENCY OF WINDOWS MEASURED?
R-value is the thermal resistance of the total window system (including glass, thermal spacer and joinery). The higher the R-value, the less heat is lost through the system, and the better the insulation.
If you’re looking for increased energy efficiency and comfort in your living environment, adding Low-E high performance glass and argon gas to your double or tripled glazed unit provides even better results.
WHY SOLACE LOW-E?
Solace Low-E is a low emissivity glass. It has an almost invisible coating that covers the inside of a pane of glass. This coating lets the sun’s light and energy in and reflects heat indoors to create a shield against the cold.
Solace Low-E contributes to a warmer interior surface, significantly reducing condensation in your home.
Safety Glass
HOW SOUND REDUCING GLASS WORKS
Toughened safety glass has undergone a heat treatment, making it up to 5 times stronger than standard glass of the same thickness. If the glass does break, it will fracture into thousands of small, relatively harmless particles. Laminated safety glass is made by applying a plastic interlayer between two (or more) panes of glass. If the glass is broken these interlayers hold the glass in place. The glass still breaks into pieces, but they remain stuck to the interlayer.
WHY CHOOSE SAFETY GLASS?
Toughened glass can improve the safety of doors and windows that are not very high off the floor and is safer than regular glass when broken as it breaks into tiny blunt pieces. Laminated glass is much harder to break through and does not shatter like regular glass; instead it “spiderwebs” from the centre. This offers improved security as there is no opening created, which would allow someone to reach in to open the door or window and gain access to your home.
FADING GLASS
Minimise fading of your furnishings, carpets, curtains and artwork, and enjoy a living environment that’s more comfortable – all year round
HOW FADING GLASS WORKS
Fading glass is produced by adding metal oxides during manufacturing, reducing glare from the bright outdoors and decreasing the amount of solar heat transmitted through the glass. The most commonly used tints are grey, bronze, green and blue, however you can choose almost any colour you want.
WHY CHOOSE FADING GLASS?
- Benefit from reduced glare and increased privacy.
- Helps protect your precious belongings – your furnishings, carpets, curtains and artwork.
- Create a home that is warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
SOUND REDUCING
Windows are typically the greatest source of noise penetration in the home – glass controls noise by reflecting sound waves back towards the source, and absorbing the noise energy within the glass.
HOW SOUND REDUCING GLASS WORKS
Acoustic Laminated Glass (sound reducing glass) consists of 2 panes of glass laminated together with an acoustic laminated membrane (1mm thick). It appears as a single pane of glass, however the the membrane reduces noise by absorbing the sound vibrations and energy from travelling through the glass. You can reduce noise levels from outside your home by using acoustic laminated glass, increasing the thickness of the glass within a double glazed IGU (insulated glazing unit) or a combination of both. The larger the gap between the panes, the better the sound control.
WHY CHOOSE SOUND REDUCING GLASS?
For homes exposed to more extreme levels of and/or high pitched noises, combining Insulated and Acoustic Laminated Glass in an IGU will give you the best noise protection and the most comfort in your home. When closed, windows with sound proof glass work to block out outside disturbances and create a more comfortable living environment – without compromising on style.
CONDENSATION
Living in New Zealand’s damp climate means it’s hard to escape condensation. Waking up in the morning and seeing water droplets covering the inside of your windows is just a part of life for many of us.
WHAT CAUSES CONDENSATION?
WATER VAPOUR. The air inside your home contains moisture. When the indoor temperature cools down, the air can’t hold as much water vapour. This means the vapour condenses as a liquid, which is particularly visible on cold, non-absorbent surfaces like windows. There’s also unseen moisture which penetrates your carpets, fabrics and other absorbent surfaces, making them feel cold and damp.
HOW WINDOWS CAN HELP?
Double glazing helps keep the surface of the inside glass warmer, reducing the likelihood of condensation forming on the windows. Like double glazing, thermally efficient window frames help reduce the transfer of heat through window frames, helping to reduce condensation on windows. Thermally efficient window frames should only be used with double glazing.