Everyone knows the principle of a conservatory. Sun behind glass creates heat. But, for your veranda or your bedroom with a skylight, for example, this is of course not the intention. After all, you don't want overheating in your house.

Overheating has become a very hot topic. Glass is increasingly used in modern buildings and the overall insulation of buildings has greatly improved, increasing the risk of overheating. It is therefore important to consider solar shading, such as solar control glass, shading systems or awnings, to prevent overheating and maintain a cool and comfortable indoor climate.

Solar control glass

Using solar control glass can improve the indoor climate of a building by reducing heat transfer from outside to inside. This helps reduce the need for air conditioning and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Moreover, solar control glass also protects against harmful UV radiation, reducing discolouration of furniture and interior materials.

It is important to note that the specific functioning and performance of solar control glass depends on several factors, such as the composition and coating of the glass. It is therefore best to seek advice from a glass expert to select the most suitable solar control glass for your specific needs.

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How does solar control glass work?

Solar control glass is specially designed to reduce excessive heat and annoying solar radiation. It works by controlling the amount of solar energy the glass lets through. Two techniques work here:

Reflection: Sunproof glass contains a thin, invisible metal or metal oxide coating on the glass surface. This coating helps reflect some of the solar radiation, reducing the amount of heat entering through the glass.

Absorption: Solar control glass can also have a property where it absorbs some of the solar radiation and converts it into heat. This helps reduce the amount of solar energy entering the room.

Which solar control glass best suits your project?

Depending on the orientation of your window, you choose specific features. This table gives you an overview from the least sunproof glass (left) to the most sunproof glass (right) with the corresponding characteristics.

Attention!

Be sure to talk about the orientation of the windows you want to replace or install with your professional. This will only make you more comfortable.

Koelte
  • LTA: 80
  • ZTA: 60
  • Recommended for northern facades
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  • LTA: 72
  • ZTA: 38
  • Standard Sprimoglass solar control glass
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  • LTA:60
  • ZTA: 29
  • Recommended for south-facing facades
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  • LTA: 52
  • ZTA: 28
  • Recommended for verandas
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  • LTA: 44
  • ZTA: 27
  • Recommended for roof windows

Sunlight and glass: discover LTA and ZTA!

Light transmission factor (LTA) and Sun transmission factor (ZTA) are two important factors used in assessing the performance of glass with respect to sunlight.

The LTA indicates how much natural daylight is transmitted through the glass. Again, this is expressed as a percentage and ranges from 0 to 1. The higher the LTA value, the more daylight is transmitted through the glass. A higher LTA can result in rooms with sufficient natural light, reducing the use of artificial lighting. Optimising the LTA value is important for visual comfort and promoting a pleasant living environment.

The ZTA indicates how much solar energy (in the form of heat) is transmitted through the glass. It is expressed as a percentage and ranges from 0 to 1. The higher the ZTA value, the more solar energy is transmitted through the glass. A higher ZTA can lead to overheating of the interior, especially during sunny periods or in hot climates. When striving for energy-efficient and comfortable buildings, it is important to choose glass with an appropriate ZTA value to prevent excessive heat penetration.

Solar control glazing: enjoy the view, stay cool!

During the day, solar-control glazing reflects the sun and thus keeps the heat out. This also means that you can easily see from inside to outside, while conversely, from outside to inside the view is obstructed. This film does work in two directions! So in the evening or at night, the mirror effect reverses and your windows inside look like mirrors and people can easily see inside.
Roof windows have unique challenges. They are exposed to direct sunlight for much of the day. Which can further lead to excessive heat entry and possible overheating of the interior space.

When choosing glass for roof windows, not only should the ZTA (Solar Transmittance Factor) be limited to reduce heat transfer, but also the LTA (Light Transmittance Factor) should be controlled. The aim is to strike a balance between minimising heat transfer and maintaining sufficient natural light.
To find the optimum glazing for roof windows, it is highly recommended to talk to a glass professional or glass installer. These experts have in-depth knowledge of the specific requirements and technical aspects of glass in roof windows. They can advise you on the right choice of glass, coatings and other parameters needed to achieve the desired comfort level and energy efficiency.

cool testimonial- Sanne & Niki sitting on the couch

Nothing is more pleasant than stepping into a cool bedroom at night.

We are so glad that we chose solar control glass in our bedrooms on the south-east side of our house after all. Previously, we couldn't enter the bedroom during the hot summer days because the heat and bright sunlight made it simply unbearable. But since we had the solar control glass installed, it stays cool and fresh despite the intense heat outside. Surprising were also the other benefits of the solar control glass. It reduces glare from the sun, reduces glare on the TV screen when we want to Netflix in the afternoon.

Sanne & Niki Property in Kessel-lo
Cool testimonial- Geert& Joke smiling and hugging in front go their house

On hot summer days, our house really does not heat up as fast.

We are very satisfied with the solar control glass in our new BEN house. We really notice a difference, wasting much less energy on passive cooling. Moreover, I have noticed that I suffer less glare from the sun, which makes me more comfortable in my home. Highly recommended for those who own a BEN home.

Geert & Joke Owners of a BEN home (year of construction 2020) 
Cool testimonial- Geert& Joke smiling and hugging in front go their house

On hot summer days, our house really does not heat up as fast.

We are very satisfied with the solar control glass in our new BEN house. We really notice a difference, wasting much less energy on passive cooling. In addition, I have noticed that I suffer less glare from the sun, which makes my house more comfortable. Highly recommended for those who own a BEN home.

Geert & Joke Owners of BEN homes ( year of construction 2020)

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