Double Glazing
The
Double Glazed Unit
Any double glazed unit is made up from 3 major components;
Each individual component has its own set of unique characteristics and, combined, they provide a double-glazed unit that provides a variety of benefits to suit any individual’s needs.
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Glass
is the main component of any IGU. However, glass, in itself, is a poor insulator and heat can pass through it with ease. It is the air or argon spacer in a double glazed unit that gives it its thermal attributes.
Different combinations of glass can give other benefits too, including noise and UV reduction, solar control, privacy and security.
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Space Bar
The spacer bar forms the cavity between the two panes of glass.
Most glass manufacturers supply units with a metal spacer bar that is in direct contact with the glass. This acts as a conductor making the unit more susceptible to condensation.
Our units are manufactured with 100% polymer foam spacer bars, which provide greater thermal and acoustic properties, additional durability, energy efficiency and mould protection compared to its metal counterparts.
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Cavity
When air is completely sealed between two panes of glass the still air becomes a thermal barrier reducing heat loss by half when compared with a single pane of glass.
To further improve heat loss reduction the cavity is filled with Argon gas instead of air. Argon is denser than air and so provides greater resistance to air trying to pass through it.
Low E Glass
Low Emissivity (Low E) glass is a thin metallic coating applied to the glass surface. It reflects heat back into your home in the winter and reduces heat absorption during the summer.
Kiwi Quiet Glass
KIWI QUIET combines two sheets of clear glass bonded together with a totally transparent plastic interlayer. The interlayer absorbs sound and reduces the level transmitted through the glass helping to keep both unwanted noise out, or to keep noise in.
Laminated glass
Laminated glass combines two sheets of clear glass bonded together with a totally transparent plastic interlayer. It is also a grade ‘A’ safety glass and filters 99% of UV light. It has great noise reduction when used in a double glazed unit.
Tinted glass
Tinted glass provides UV protection by reducing the amount of sunlight allowed to pass through it. Another associated benefit is additional privacy.
Toughened glass
Toughened glass is 5 times stronger than annealed glass. It provides added security because it is harder to break. This is the glass that shatters into very small pieces when broken. It is mainly used in doors or large glass panels.
