Glass Options for Double-Glazed Windows: A Builder’s Guide

In the modern construction landscape, selecting the right glazing is essential for achieving optimal energy efficiency and comfort.

With up to 49% of heat loss and 87% of heat gain occurring through windows, the choice of glass can significantly impact a building's energy performance.

Integra Windows offers energy-efficient windows with different types of glass that are filled with argon gas. This helps to reduce heat transfer by up to 70%. This greatly improves the efficiency of double glazed windows, providing homeowners and builders with an affordable method to reach excellent energy ratings (7 Star Energy rating and more).

Why Choose Energy-Efficient Glass?

• Cost-Effective Solutions: Minimise reliance on artificial heating and cooling, leading to reduced energy costs and improved sustainability.
• Comfort levels: it will be naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Internal drafts and condensation are reduced.
• Enhanced Thermal Performance: Our Low E glass, filled with argon gas, reduces heat transfer by up to 70%, ensuring superior insulation.
• Noise Reduction: Our acoustic laminate options provide exceptional sound insulation, creating a tranquil indoor environment.

Types of Glass for Every Project

• Clear Glass: High clarity and visible light transmittance (VLT) for bright interiors. Superior insulation compared to single-glazed options.
• Obscure Glass: Offers privacy without sacrificing natural light. Available in various patterns to suit architectural aesthetics.
• Low-E Glass: Four specialised types tailored for different climates, ensuring optimal top-notch insulation performance without the risk of visible haze found in traditional coatings.
• Acoustic Laminated: effective noise blocking. Essential for buildings near busy roads.

Choosing energy efficient UPVC Windows will make your home more confirtable, significantly lower energy costs and help to create a brighter, cleaner and healthier Environtment. CHOOSING

Using energy-efficient glass has many benefits, including energy savings (reduced costs for heating and cooling spaces), lower greenhouse emissions (less reliance on artificial heating and cooling, reduced energy use, and fewer emissions), and noise reduction (blocks significantly more noise than regular glass).

Table 1: U-Value for various glass and frame types.

Clear Glass

Clear Glass (Insulglass Classic) is a traditional energy-efficient Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) consisting of two or more layers of glass manufactured as a single unit. These layers are separated by a desiccant-filled spacer bar, creating a sealed air gap that enhances insulation. This setup includes both primary and secondary seals for structural integrity and reliable performance. Clear Glass maximises natural light while providing significantly better insulation than single glazing.

Even without coatings, the insulation is unmatched compared to any single-glazed glass options. This is further enhanced by argon gas, which is provided as standard with all Clear Glass units (except for some specialized sizes).

• High Clarity for unspoiled views and connection to the outside
• High Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) to maximise natural light entering inside for a lighter, brighter home with increased well being
• Better Window Insulation than anything single glazed, cooler in summer and warmer in winter
• Energy Efficiency that will reduce energy costs while increasing comfort levels
• Minimise damp, unwanted internal condensation for a healthier home
• Great sound blocking for a quieter, more comfortable home

Obscure Glass

Obscure Glass provides a range of privacy solutions without compromising high levels of Visible Light Transmittance (VLT). Available in various patterns—such as Cathedral, Narrow Reeded, Satinlite, Spotswood, and Acid Etched (White Privacy) — this glass offers stylish privacy options to suit diverse design needs.

Low-E Glass

Low Emissivity (Low-E) Glass functions similarly to home insulation, offering enhanced energy efficiency. In double-glazed units, Low-E glass has a thin, transparent coating on the inside of the external pane. This coating (also known as a “soft coat”) helps maintain a cooler indoor temperature in summer and warmer conditions in winter, without requiring tinted windows.

This advanced technology uses thin layers of silver and metal oxides to provide excellent insulation. Unlike traditional coatings, it won’t leave any visible haze, ensuring clear views.

Integra Windows offers 4 types of Low-E Glass:

1. Insulglass LowE Prime® - This glass is great for warm places. It reduces glare and provides a good balance of solar control and insulation. It offers up to 72% better insulation (lower U-Value) and up to 36-52% better solar control (lower SHGC).
2. Insulglass LowE Plus® - This glass works best in colder areas. It allows for maximum visible light, passive heat gain, and excellent insulation. It provides up to 76% better insulation (lower U-Value) and up to 30-57% better solar control (lower SHGC).
3. Insulglass LowE Advance® - This glass offers great performance for solar control and insulation while allowing visible light. It provides up to 78% better insulation (lower U-Value) and up to 58-69% better solar control (lower SHGC).
4. Insulglass LowE Max® - This is the top-performing glass for both solar control and insulation, without cutting back on visible light. It offers up to 78% better insulation (lower U-Value) and up to 68-74% better solar control (lower SHGC).

Acoustic Laminated Glass

High-performance acoustic laminated glass is made to block noise well. This helps make your home quieter and more comfortable. Its special design keeps outside sounds, like traffic or neighbors, from coming in.

This type of glass also has important safety benefits. It not only reduces noise but also offers protection against break-ins. It adds safety against accidents, too. Plus, it protects homes from harmful UV rays, which can fade furniture and floors over time.

By choosing acoustic laminated glass, you are investing in a versatile product that offers more than just noise reduction. It improves the overall quality of your living space while enhancing its durability and safety.

Need help in selecting the right type of glass for your home or project?
Request a free quote or simply call us today and get all the information you need.

Phone: (02) 9669 1207