Glass guide
Choosing the right glass Energy units
Today’s glass and window units have become so advanced that in ad- The heat loss from the building to the external environment has a sig-
dition to basic functions such as offering protection against weather, nificant impact on energy consumption making the insulation prop-
daylight and unwanted views, they also protect against fire, noise, erties of the units important. The insulation properties of a unit are
sunlight and much more. described as its Ug-value.
Energy units offer good insulation properties and excellent light
Standard units transmission. Energy units improve the indoor climate by reducing
Unit structure cold down-draughts and cold radiation which minimises the need for
Double glazing units are made up of two pieces of glass with a spacer. heating and contributes to reduced heating bills and a better envi-
ronment.
The definition 4-16-4 means that the double glazing unit consists of a
4 mm pane, a 16 mm spacer and a 4 mm pane. The first pane of glass Warm edge
is defined as glass layer 1 and is the exterior pane of glass, while the The distance between the two panes of glass in an energy unit is se-
other pane is glass layer 2 and therefore the interior pane of glass (it cured by a spacer. Spacers are usually made of aluminium or steel which
follows that a three-layer triple glazing unit will have a third layer of produces an unwanted thermal bridge at the edge of the glass.
glass). Idealcombi A/S now introduces a warm edge design with a spacer
made from a thermoplastic material.
Varying the thickness and number of panes, the width of the spacer, The warm edge reduces the thermal bridge at the edge of the glass.
the types of coating/laminates and the type of air/gas in the cavity This helps cut the total heat loss of the window, expressed as the
allows you to adjust the function of the glass. This makes it possible Uw-value, which benefits both the environment and the heating bill.
to create different types of glass which meet a variety of needs. It is Using warm edge also raises the temperature along the edge of the
also possible to combine specific features to create several functions glass which reduces the risk of internal condensation.
in one unit.
Improved look
The dark edge of the warm edge spacer gives the window a more har-
monious look and eliminates much of the light reflection in the win-
dows created by the shiny surface of steel spacers.
Outside Inside
Facts
4- 16-4
• Good insulation properties
• Lower Uw-value in the overall unit
(whereas the Ug-value alone defines the insulation
property of the glazing)
• Higher temperatures on the inner edge of the glass
eliminates the risk of condensation
6- 12-4 • More harmonious design
• No extra cost for customers
Idealcombi A/S uses warm edge as its
standard spacer.
4/1, 14/4- 15-4
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Abbreviations
Ug-value – Insulation property LRout - Outward light reflection
The Ug-value is measured in the centre of the unit and is referred to Reflection is stated in percent as the part of the light which is reflect-
as the centre point value. ed outward. (For comparison inward reflection is stated as LRin)
The value is stated as: W/m²K (Watt per m² x Kelvin). A low figure A high figure indicates major reflection when viewed from outside.
means that the unit offers good protection against heat loss.
Tuv- Transmission of ultraviolet radiation
LT-value – Light transmission Transmission is stated in percent as the part of the sun’s ultraviolet
The value is stated in percent expressing the amount of light which is rays which is admitted through the glass.
admitted through the glass. A low figure indicates that the uv-rays have a low impact on objects
A high figure indicates a high degree of light transmission. inside the building which minimises fading.
g-value - TST Rw dB – Sound reduction
(Total Solar Energy Transmittance or Solar Energy Transmission) Reduction is stated in decibel and describes the glass’ ability to reduce
The value is stated in percent expressing the amount of solar energy discomforting noise.
(thermal energy) which is admitted through the glass. A high figure indicates a high degree of sound reduction. The figure
A high figure indicates a large admittance of solar energy. is not calculated as a percentage reduction, but as a fixed figure in
relation to the structure of the unit.
Ug-value LT-value g-value
LRout-value Tuv-value Rw dB-value
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Glass guide
Solar reflective glass Acoustic insulating glass
Solar reflective glass reduces the amount of thermal energy and/or Acoustic insulating glass reduces uncomfortable noise from heavy
light which is admitted through the unit. This type of glass is often traffic and regular city noise. It is the distance between the unit’s in-
used for large surfaces where the aim is to make full use of the sun- dividual glass panes and the panes’ individual thickness that helps
light while at the same time keeping out the solar heat. In other cases define the unit’s acoustic insulating properties.
both the sun and the heat is kept out.
When selecting the right type of acoustic glass, it is important to de-
The g-value is the amount of the sun’s thermal energy which the termine the source of the noise you want to reduce.
glass allows to pass into a room. The transmission of daylight is called
the LT-value. The acoustic insulation of the unit is stated in decibel, Rw, as a sound
reduction figure. The figure indicates by how many decibel the unit
Solar reflective glass is available in a variety of options; colour neu- reduces external noise – depending on the source of the noise. It is
tral, coloured and with various degrees of reflection. All these factors also important to keep in mind that Rw is a weighted value represent-
determine the amount of light and heat which is admitted through ing the entire sound frequency spectrum. Different sounds represent
the glass. If you choose solar reflective glass for aesthetic reasons different frequencies in the spectrum. The Rw-value is consequently
the design is entirely up to you. In all other cases it depends on how a mere base for the calculation of the actual reduction of any given
highly you value low solar energy transmission in relation to high light noise.
admittance.
Facts Facts
Solar reflective glass absorbs a lot of solar energy. The thicker the glass, the better the sound reduction
This is why the glass is toughened to eliminate the risk of Glass of various thicknesses boosts sound reduction
thermal fractures. The larger the distance between the panes, the better the
sound reduction
Here are some examples of noise levels:
Whisper 30 dB
Speech 40-60 dB
Vacuum cleaner 65-75 dB
Car 70-80 dB
Truck 80-90 dB
Air hammer drill 90-110 dB
Jet plane 110-130 dB
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Design glass Safety glass
Design glass can either be patterned and cast, clear or coloured with Personal safety
varying degrees of light transmission and vision control. Safety glass is intended to prevent or minimise the risk of injury in
case of human impact.
The texture or surface of design glass is created using techniques
such as embossing, matt grinding, etching, sandblasting or matt In places where people can come into contact with both sides of the
lamination. Each of these methods create their own look. Matt pane through accidental impact, the requirement for safety glass
grinding produces an effect similar to etching, yet avoids the use of extends to both layers of glass.
environmentally harmful chemicals.
Safety glass is available as laminated and toughened glass both pro-
Design glass is suitable for uses where the blocking of visibility or viding increased impact protection.
unwanted views is desired and for creating special and decorative
effects. The plastic film in laminated glass holds the glass pieces together
thus preventing serious injury.
Idealcombi A/S offers a wide range of different design glass types.
Below you can see a selection of our most common glass types with When toughened glass breaks, it shatters into many small blunt piec-
different textures and patterns and visibility options. es which reduces the risk of serious injury.
Cotswold Clear Glass C Laminated glass
Laminated glass is a combination of two or more layers of glass with
an interlayer of plastic film. The glass is heated until the plastic film
melts and bonds with the glass forming a transparent pane.
Toughened glass
Toughened glass is heated to very high temperatures creating com-
pressive stress in the surface of the glass. The treatment makes
Sahara/520 Satinato the glass able to withstand severe impacts such as kicking or people
tripping and hitting the glass.
Facts
Matt laminate Mastercarre
1500
800
800
300 300
Always choose personal safety glass if part of the unit is
placed less than 1.50 metres above the floor in doors and
door side-lights and access points.
The same applies to other risk areas
Masterligne Masterpoint
where the unit is placed less than 0.8
metres above a particular surface.
Guidelines for safety glass are
described in BS 6206:1981 and BS
6262-4:1994.
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Glass guide
Security glass Facade glass
Burglary and vandalism Facade glass for spandrels is used for various purposes on large
Security glass is intended to prevent or delay passage through the external surfaces. It can also be used between floors and on surfaces
unit following a physical attack. where a blocking of the view is required.
Idealcombi A/S can supply facade glass as single glazing units or as
Security glass can offer protection against vandalism committed double glazing units for spandrels.
using objects such as hammers, axes and bricks or falling material,
against planned intrusion (such as burglary) and against gunfire Facade glass can be divided into three visual functions:
attacks (bullet-proof glass). • Matching facades
• Look-a-like facades
Security glass is made from laminated glass or glass which is both • Contrast facades
laminated and toughened.
Matching facades, if you want a calm and harmonious relationship
Whether you should choose laminated security glass or security glass with facade materials such as windows and spandrels. Usually
which is both laminated and toughened depends on what the glass enamelled or silk-printed glass is used.
should protect against and how effective the protection should be.
Look-a-like facades, if you want optimum similarity in the reflection
The thickness and number of glass panes as well as the type of film of facade glass and double glazing units. Coated glass types are
used determine the resistance of the security glass. Several layers of normally used for these types of facades.
glass with a thicker film provide higher breaking resistance.
Contrast facades, if you want to create a contrast between facade
glass and double glazing units. This can be done using coloured glass
in various combinations of colour for a mosaic effect. Enamelled
glass is typically used here.
Facts Facts
The requirements for security glass are always equal to ”Look-a-like” facades
laminated glass. The thicker the glass and film and the more In order to produce reflection, the area behind the glass
layers, the more effective the protection. must be darker than the area in front of the glass.
Security glass against manual attack is classified in accord- The greater the difference in light on the inside/outside, the
ance with BS EN 356:2002 greater the reflection in the windows.
Security glass against bullet attack is classified in accord- Look-a-like therefore occurs in the daytime – in the evening
ance with BS EN 1063:2000. light conditions change and the reflection is reduced or
. disappears.
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Units with integrated blind Fire protective glass
Units with integrated blind are a combination of a double glazing Fire protective glass must provide efficient protection against flames
unit and a Venetian blind. and fumes. Certain types of fire protective glass can also reduce or
stop the direct radiation heat and provide effective insulation. Ideal-
The blind is sandwiched between two layers of glass and is isolated combi A/S’ fire protective glass can do just that.
from the inside as well as the outside environment. The blind is oper-
ated by a single cord which both turns the strips and draws them up The more layers of fire protective material, the longer it takes for the
and down, depending on the type of blind. fire to penetrate the glass and the slower the rise in temperature on
the other side of the glass. This is why it is a good idea to choose fire
The blind provides effective protection against solar heat. If kept protective glass with at least three interlayers of protective material.
shut completely, it works just like the third layer of a triple glazing Particularly for situations where radiation heat may set material on
unit. the other side of the glass on fire, or in situations where you want to
secure an escape route.
Units with integrated blinds also have the advantage of being able to
partially or completely block unwanted views whenever desired.
The blind requires no cleaning, is hygienic and suitable for use in for
instance hospitals and surgeries.
It also saves energy for heating, air conditioning and maintenance/
repairs of an external or internal blind.
Facts Facts
• Shields against sunlight
The fire penetration time is directly proportional to the num-
• Shields against heat
ber of fire protective interlayers.
• No cleaning
• Saves energy for heating and air-conditioning Reducing radiation heat prolongs the clearance period, mini-
mises the spread of the fire and the cost of fire damage.
Fire protective glass is classified in accordance with BS EN
357:2001.
The total glass/window structure,
i.e. the glass, the glass fitting
method, the frame/sash design
and mounting system must be
approved by proper authorities in
order to meet the classification
requirements in the various fire
classes.
6
Glass guide
Clear demands on function Preferably, a window solution should be able to satisfy all three re-
When choosing the right type of glass you will probably have to quirements, with the highest values possible while at the same time
consider many – and perhaps even conflicting – requirements and considering the reflection, colour and appearance of the pane.
wishes.
The checklist can give you an idea of your options and the require-
The most common requirements are for: ments you may have for the glass when choosing a window.
• A low Ug-value, as it provides good insulation, reduced energy
consumption and a high surface temperature resulting in less Warranties on glass, see pages 276-277.
cold down-draughts and cold radiation.
• Light transmission which is defined according to the need for
admitting a lot of daylight or for keeping it out. You may either Define:
want a very natural light which also reduces the cost of artificial ¨ Insulation properties, Ug-value
lighting or you may want to prevent reflections in for instance ¨ Light transmission, LT-value
computer screens. ¨ Solar energy transmission, g-value
• Solar energy transmission which is defined according to the need
for a high thermal energy admittance versus a low thermal ¨ Fire protection
energy admittance. A high thermal energy admittance reduces ¨ Noise control
heating costs while a low thermal energy admittance prevents ¨ Personal safety
for instance large offices from becoming too hot and also reduces ¨ Security class
air-conditioning costs.
¨ Aesthetics
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