A Quick Guide To Energy Efficient Island Glazing

A Quick Guide to Energy Efficient Island Glazing

Unlike traditional glass, which often acts as a conduit for heat transfer, energy-efficient glass employs cutting-edge advancements to minimize energy loss and enhance insulation.  

Through innovative coatings and materials, this type of glass helps maintain optimal temperatures within a build, reducing the reliance on heating and cooling systems. 

Beyond its functional benefits, energy-efficient glass also contributes to sustainability efforts by promoting energy conservation and mitigating environmental impact.  

As architecture and construction strive for more eco-friendly solutions, energy-efficient glass seamlessly merges form and function for a greener and more sustainable future in island architecture

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Low E Coatings

Emissivity levels are quantified on a scale ranging from 0 to 1, with a value of 1 indicating complete absorption of radiant energy, while a value of 0 signifies a material reflecting 100% of directed energy.  

In the context of thermal insulation for island projects in temperate to cold climates such as the Channel Islands, for example, minimizing emissivity is crucial.  

The objective is to prevent external elements from absorbing heat generated within a space, ensuring that radiant heat energy remains confined to internal areas.  

This preservation of heat contributes to maintaining a consistent internal temperature and reducing heat loss to the external environment.  

Natural glass, in its unaltered state, exhibits elevated emissivity levels, typically around 0.89 for standard, uncoated float glass. 

Short for Low Emissivity, Low-E coatings are commonly applied to the majority of insulated glazed units in contemporary architecture and construction.  

Their purpose is to minimize the absorption of heat by glazing units, consequently reducing the emission of heat to the external environment. By reflecting radiant heat back into internal spaces, these Low-E coatings enhance the thermal performance of the glass unit, preventing glazing elements from becoming a source of heat loss and thus reducing the need for high energy consuming heating systems. 

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Solar Control Coatings

Controlling solar gain in hot island climates such as the Caribbean and Barbados is paramount. 

This is achievable through the solar control coatings which minimize heat gain and reduce the reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems, all while allowing plenty of light ingress. 

Limiting solar radiation entry and subsequently reducing solar gain can be done through several solar control glass options.  

The latest advancements in glazing technologies allow these coatings to achieve a solar control of 70/35, meaning that glass units can retain 70% of natural light transmission and reduce solar radiation ingress to only 35%, all while still maintaining a neutral, transparent colouration
 
When it comes to tinted solar coatings, one of the most advanced solutions offered by IQ are Electrochromic Glass and Photochromic Glass, which are capable of automatically transitioning from clear to dark based on ambient conditions.  

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Low Maintenance Glass

Low Maintenance Glass offers a significant reduction in the cleaning and upkeep needed for glass surfaces exposed to harsher elements such as sea salts and other marine debris. 
 
Particularly beneficial for challenging environments like island and coastal locations, this invisible coating preserves the glass panel’s transparent appearance, light transmission values, and reflectivity.  
 
Applied to the external face of the glass, the coating fills microscopic pores, creating an exceptionally smooth surface that is both durable and easily cleaned.  
 
Beyond minimizing cleaning frequency and time, this coating also serves as a protective layer, preventing damage or etching from salt in the air and increasing the glass’s longevity, thus reducing the need for any potential replacements further down the line in a given build’s lifetime. 

Contact the IQ Glass International team today to discuss the best coatings for your next island project.