CHOOSING YOUR GLAZING
The Importance of Choosing the Right Glass
Saint Gobain & Pilkington are well established, high quality manufacturers of glazing and Bespoke Design uses both, so choosing the right glass combinations becomes simple. We have highlighted the five most popular glazing choices for you home or new extension to give you a few insights.
The Glass Makes the Difference
Assuming you are about to purchase a new orangery or conservatory this can be a significant investment. The type of glass you choose will make all the difference to your lifestyle and enjoyment.
Glass technology has come on leaps and bounds over the last 10 years and there is a glazing solution for all requirements whether it is to keep warm all year round, to keep the heat and noise out or your security it is so important to get this right. Below is a list of the main glass specifications that you can choose from that best suits your personal requirements.
North Facing Properties
Planitherm Total+ with Argon Gas U Value 1.2:
A glazed structure located on a north facing elevation will not see much sun all day, therefore the building will be in shade. The glass solution required for this location should be Planitherm Total + with Argon Gas. This is the ultimate in energy saving glass.
This will be reflected in your heating bills which will reduce around 28% a year.
South Facing properties
PLANITHERM ® 4S II U Value 1.2:
Solar Glass for all year-round comfort
A glazed structure such as a conservatory or orangery located on a south facing elevation will receive sun light for most of the day. If the wrong glazing is selected the heat build-up could be too much to be able to use the room in summer with any degree of comfort. Therefore, there will be a need to keep the solar gain down to an absolute minimum. This will require the very best in solar controlled glass. With the right selection of glass this will keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. Heat reflection in summer is up to 82%. This glass is available in Colours- Neutral, Aqua, Azura and Solara. This glass can also benefit from adding Bio Clean coating which is self-cleaning glass which is ideal for glazed roofs.
Bio Clean-Self Cleaning Glass
lf-cleaning coating is applied to our glass as part of the manufacturing process, which means that it is fused to the surface of the glass and therefore lasts the lifetime of the pane. The BIOCLEAN coating uses both rain and natural light from the sun to efficiently combat the dirt and grime that accumulates on the outside of the window. By significantly reducing the need for manual cleaning it provides the ideal solution for keeping those hard or dangerous to reach areas clean, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy your conservatory. How does it do that? There are two processes at work in our self-cleaning glass. Firstly, the special coating harnesses natural daylight which triggers the breakdown of the dirt and grime on the outer surface of the glass. Secondly, when rainwater hits the glass, rather than forming droplets it flattens and spreads out across the surface of the glass helping to wash away the loosened dirt and grime. This sheeting effect also minimises spots and streaks by helping the glass to dry more quickly and evenly. Advantages: • A permanent self-cleaning coating that lasts the lifetime of the window • Perfect for your conservatory roof and other hard to reach areas that are difficult to clean • Glass stays cleaner for longer • Less dirt and grime adheres to the glass so any cleaning is quick and easy • Ongoing cost savings with reduced window cleaning bills • Kinder to the environment with a less frequent use of water and detergents • Clear view outside even when it’s raining thanks to the sheeting effect • Available in a choice of four tint options: Natura, Solara, Azura and Aqua to match your precise specification requirements.
Spend more time relaxing and enjoying the view, rather than cleaning the windows!
Properties In Noisy Locations
Acoustic Insulating Glazing
Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). A comfortable sound level is around 35dB in daytime and 30dB at night.
Acoustically insulating glass cuts out excess sound and the harmful effects of noise and is particularly effective in buildings near to high streets, urban traffic, motorways, train stations and airports.
The acoustic glass within a double-glazed unit comprises a special interlayer which acts as a dampening core to prevent sound frequencies from vibrating from one pane of glass to the other. This absorbs and weakens sound energy, helping to act as a barrier to noise.
This plastic interlayer also has the additional safety and security properties of laminated glass (see “safety and security glass” section).This is an excellent choice for your home if you live in a noisy area.
Your home security
SGG STADIP®
Choosing this glass can be a good investment when it comes to your homes security and preventing break ins.
Laminated safety and security glass, SGG STADIP or SGG STADIP PROTECT, comprises two or more sheets of glass bonded together with one or more interlayers of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film.
SGG STADIP glass incorporates a single PVB sheet with a nominal thickness of 0.38 mm, distinguishing it from SGG STADIP PROTECT glass which has a minimum thickness of 0.76 mm. Laminated glasses with different levels of safety and security can be obtained by varying the number and/or thickness of each of the components.
If the glass breaks, the fragments of glass are held in place by the PVB interlayer(s). In fully framed installations the broken glass retains a residual strength while awaiting replacement.
Where can it be used?
Protection in buildings is increasingly required to comply with current regulations, for insurance purposes or simply to fulfil a genuine need, especially against the risk of injury, vandalism and burglary. In homes, SGG STADIP and SGG STADIP PROTECT glasses can offer appropriate safety and security solutions to meet the combined criterion of protection, aesthetics and performance
What is it?
SGG STADIP and SGG STADIP PROTECT are made up of two or more sheets of glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer. After the plastic has been placed between the glass sheets, the whole assembly is subjected to heat and pressure. This results in the complete adhesion of the vinyl and the glass.
In the event of breakage, the glass fragments remain bonded to the plastic interlayer. In a fully framed conventional installation the glass fragments are held together, and the glass retains a residual strength while awaiting replacement.