IQ Glass Global Headquarters, Sky House, Raans Road, Amersham, UK, HP6 6FT
Specification
Specification
Electrochromic & Photochromic Glass
Dynamic glazing, including Electrochromic and Photochromic Glass, offers advanced solutions for controlling solar shading, glare, and thermal comfort. This highly technical glass provides transformative solutions ideal for luxury residential spaces, enhancing comfort, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.
Electrochromic Glass
Electrochromic glass is a leading type of dynamic glazing due to its active control capabilities. It changes tint and transparency with an applied electrical voltage, efficiently managing solar heat gain and glare, without additional shading solutions like blinds or curtains.
This technology operates through metal ions shifting within the glass unit upon electricity application, altering the tint from clear to dark. This change reduces light transmission and solar heat gain (G factor), making electrochromic glazing ideal for highly glazed spaces and frameless installations. Dynamic glazing of this kind also provides seamless shading solutions in double or triple-glazed configurations.
Electrochromic glass employs metal oxide coatings, which react electrochemically under voltage, modifying transparency. The reaction reverses when voltage is switched off, returning the glass to transparency.
Units are available in sizes up to approximately 3m x 1.5m, with light transmission varying from 55% to 1% and a G factor ranging from 0.39 down to 0.05.
Photochromic Glass
Photochromic glass offers passive dynamic glazing that automatically adjusts tint in response to UV radiation, without electrical input. Ideal for spaces requiring automatic solar shading, it provides an effective supplementary option to electrochromic solutions.
Embedded photochromic molecules darken the glass under UV exposure, effectively blocking solar gain and glare. Its typical light transmission range is 60%-75% clear and 15%-30% when tinted.
Dynamic Glass UK Showroom
Unlike traditional shading methods, dynamic glazing is stylish, durable, and maintenance-free. It integrates effortlessly into smart building systems for automated and convenient user control.
At the IQ Glass showroom, our structural glass roof demonstrates electrochromic glass, illustrating real-time solar shading changes and glare reduction capabilities.
Would you like to see this first hand, or just learn more about dynamic glazing?
Specification
Specification
Electrochromic Glass:
Glass Performance
Typical composition: 6mm outer pane, 16mm argon-filled cavity, and 6mm inner pane with low-e coating.
- Light Transmission: 55% to 1%
- External Reflection: 10% to 5%
- Internal Reflection: 9% to 7%
- G Factor (SHGC): 0.39 to 0.05
Dimensions and Limitations
- Suitable for double or triple glazing units
- Cannot be curved, cut, or drilled
- Minimum Size: 457mm x 457mm (18" x 18")
- Maximum Size: 1524mm x 3028mm (60" x 119")
- Minimum Unit Thickness: 20mm (13/16")
Electrical Efficiency and Operation
- Power Supply: 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz
- Power Consumption: Peak 2.5 W/m², Average 0.4 W/m²
- Power primarily consumed during tint transitions; power stops once tint is achieved
- Example: 200m² of electrochromic glazing uses roughly the same power as a single 60-watt bulb during transition
Photochromic Glass:
Glass Performance
- Light Transmission (Clear): 60%-75%
- Light Transmission (Tinted): 15%-30%
Operational Characteristics
- Passive activation; no electrical power required
- Tint automatically adjusts in response to UV light
Are you looking for bespoke calculations? Contact us now!
FAQs
What is the process with IQ Glass?
Depending on the scope of work and what is more suited to the individual project, there are 3 options for our installation services. These include installation on site, IQ supervisor provided to manage works by a local team or supply only with installation instructions and guidance via email/call/video call.
How does delivery work to difficult or remote locations?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. IQ have installed glazing in some extremely tricky locations such as a rocky hillside in Africa, which sat on the edge of a cliff and only had steep dirt road leading to it. Our skilled installation teams experience allows them to think of innovative ways to safely transport the glazing for installation.
Why are UK project management skills world renowned?
With any construction project, hitting dates to avoid project delays is a massive issue. The UK has very strict regulations when it comes to planning, schedules, construction and site safety, and these processes can be applied to any project in the world to ensure work is carried out in a safe and efficient manner.
What’s the difference between American and European glass manufacturing?
Glass manufacturing standard vary between continents, and glazing solutions manufactured in Europe tend to use toughened glass rather than float glass, offer a wider variety of glazing solutions such as solar control glass and are less like to end up with roller waves in the glass, this is why IQ use European glass for our systems.
Why specify IQ for international projects?
Not only does IQ have world renowned British project management skills, but we also offer a wide variety of award-winning glazing systems that use high-quality glass manufactured in Europe. Our year of experience installation bespoke glazing packages around the world allows us the know how to advise on glazing for all types of climates.