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.
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.
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.
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.
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.