Home> Additional Products > The different types of glazing

TYPES OF GLAZING

High-performance, attractive solutions

Home> Additional Products > The different types of glazing

TYPES OF GLAZING

High-performance, attractive solutions

Many glazing combinations are available, and it can be difficult to navigate! However, the choice of glazing, with the functions it combines, is essential for the performance and benefits expected from the window.

Through 3 key points, let’s discover how to properly define your glazing.

Axis 1. Energy needs:

Double glazing is equipped with metal oxide layers that are sprayed onto the surface of one of the internal faces. Traditionally, these layers are called low emissivity (LE), and the first versions introduced on the market helped reduce heat loss to the outside by half. Today, many variations exist and allow you to adjust the four characteristics below according to your needs:

Thermal insulation: The type of LE layer helps reduce heat loss to the outside, such as in winter when the house is heated.
Solar gains: Depending on the chosen LE layer, it is possible to increase solar gains, thus reducing heating needs.
Solar control: In contrast to solar gains, the goal here is to reduce solar heat gain to limit the need for air conditioning.
Brightness: LE layers influence the amount of light entering the home.

Below are the different LE layers available and their key characteristics, to be chosen based on your needs: (To learn more about the Eclaz range of glazing, click here.)

Type of LE layer	Thermal insulation Reduction of thermal losses	Solar gains Reduction of heating needs	Solar control Reduction of air conditioning needs	Light transmission Lighting needs
FE (standard+ Planitherm XN ou équiv.)	+++	+++	++	+++
FE ONE	+++++	++	+++	+
Eclaz Lumi	+++	+++++	-	++++
Eclaz Zen	+++++	+++	+++	+++
Eclaz Sun	+++++	+	+++++	+
Cool Lite Xtreme (61/29)	+++	-	+++++	-

Composition type 4/16 Argon/ Eclaz Lumi 4

Thermal insulation Ug = 1.1 W/(m².K)
Winter solar factor Scg = 71%
Light transmission Tlg = 83%

Composition type 4 Eclaz Zen/16 Argon/4

Thermal insulation Ug = 1.0 W/(m².K)
Winter solar factor Scg = 53%
Light transmission Tlg = 80%

Composition type 4 Eclaz Sun/16 Argon/4

Thermal insulation Ug = 1.0 W/(m².K)
Summer solar factor Scg = 39%
Light transmission Tlg = 72%

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Thermal Insulation

Ug: The thermal transmittance coefficient of the glazing, which measures the thermal loss and thus the insulation level of the glazing; the lower it is, the lower the heat loss to the outside, and therefore, the greater the heating savings will be.

It is important to note that for windows, patio doors, and sliding doors, the thermal insulation coefficient is expressed by the value Uw and takes into account the entire frame and the glazing. For entrance doors, the coefficient is similarly expressed by the value Ud.

Solar Factor

Sg: The solar factor of the glazing determines the amount of solar energy penetrating through the glazed surface in relation to the energy reflected or incident energy. Sg varies from 0 for a completely opaque surface to 1 for a completely transparent surface.

Sg, which refers to the glazing alone, is expressed in two ways to account for the angle of incidence of solar rays depending on the season:

Scg = Winter solar factor
Seg = Summer solar factor

For windows, the solar factor is expressed as Scw and Sew. To learn more about this, click here.

Light Transmission

TLg: Light transmission represents the amount of light entering the home in relation to the amount of light emitted. The higher the TLg, the more light will penetrate the interior of the home.

TLg is the value for the glazing alone. For the entire window, light transmission is expressed by the value TLw.

Axis 2. THE FUNCTION:

If you are looking for safety glazing or are in need of noise reduction, glazing offers a range of solutions.

Safety glazing:

Standard glass in a monolithic layer breaks into sharp pieces, posing a risk of injury. To prevent these risks, tempered glazing (a protective function for people) can be used. Laminated glazing, consisting of two layers of glass separated by a polymer film, is available and offers a wider range of protection, from safeguarding individuals to protecting against break-ins:

Example of laminated glazing composition
Composition type 44.2 / 16 Argon / LE 4

Thermal insulation Ug = 1.1 W/(m².K)
Winter solar factor = 59%
Light transmission = 80%
Sound reduction Ra,tr = 31 dB
Security class P2A

Type of glazing	Description	Class according to standard NF EN12600	Class according to standard NF EN356
4mm	Standard flat glass	Not defined	Not defined
4mm	Tempered glass	1C3	Not defined
22.1	Laminated glass, 2 layers of 2mm glass + 1 PVB security or PVB silence interlayer	2B2	P1A - Protection against unorganized vandalism
33.2 PLUS	Laminated glass, 2 layers of 3mm glass + 2 PVB security interlayers	1B1	P2A - Protection against unorganized vandalism
44.2	Laminated glass, 2 layers of 4mm glass + 2 PVB security or PVB silence interlayers	1B1	P2A - Protection against unorganized vandalism
44.6	Also called SP510, laminated glass, 2 layers of 4mm glass + 6 PVB security interlayers	1B1	P5A - Protection against break-ins

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PVB = Polyvinyl butyral, a polymer used to limit the projection of broken glass fragments
NPD = Performance not determined

Norms NF EN 12600: Defines the behavior of glazing in the event of breakage.

Pendulum test, results expressed by a combination of 3 terms, ABC:
A. Drop of a 50kg mass:

From a height of 1200mm
From a height of 450mm
From a height of 1200mm
B. Mode of breakage:
A = Standard flat glass
B = Laminated glass
C = Tempered glass
C. Level of stress: Must not allow a 76mm sphere to pass through / without fragment projection, values range from 0 (most efficient) to 3

Norms NF EN 356: Classifies security glazing in increasing order.

Ball drop test, the balls should not pass through the glazing:

P1A: Drop of 3 balls from a height of 1.5m
P2A: Drop of 3 balls from a height of 3m
P5A: Drop of 3 balls from a height of 9m

Useful link: To complete your information, discover our safety selection guide for joinery, click here.

Acoustic glazing:

Noise pollution is a major source of discomfort. Spontaneously, more than three out of four French people admit to being disturbed by noise in their homes. Choosing the right glazing can significantly reduce the disturbances caused by external noises.

Among the factors that influence the acoustic performance of glazing, the following should be considered:

The thickness of the glass in the glazing: The thicker the glass, the greater the sound attenuation.
The asymmetry of the faces of the double glazing: Installing glass panes of different thicknesses on the interior and exterior sides of the double glazing helps "break" sound waves and limit their reverberation.
The use of laminated glass faces with PVB security films, or better yet, PVB silence films specifically designed for acoustic performance, helps control the thickness and weight of the glazing and also increases noise attenuation. PVB silence films offer the dual benefit of enhanced acoustic performance and increased security.

Example of acoustic glazing composition
Composition type 44.2 silence / 14 Argon / LE 6

Thermal insulation Ug = 1.1 W/(m².K)
Winter solar factor = 59%
Light transmission = 80%
Sound reduction Ra,tr = 35 dB
Security class P2A

Learn more

Acoustic attenuation varies depending on the frequencies of the noise emitted and the noise that we wish to attenuate. Thus, we refer to road noise (or external airborne noise, consisting of lower frequencies typical of road traffic) or pink noise (internal airborne noise, consisting of a range of frequencies with equivalent sound levels).

For windows, the values indicated correspond to: Rw (C; Ctr) expressed in decibels, where:

Rw = Weighted sound reduction
C = Correction for pink noise
Ctr = Correction for road noise

For example, Rw (C; Ctr) = 33 (-1/-4) dB, meaning Rw + C = Ra = 33 - 1 = 32 dB and Rw + Ctr = Ra,tr = 33 - 4 = 29 dB

Ra = Acoustic attenuation for pink noise
Ra,tr = Acoustic attenuation for road noise

Acoustic performance is measured in accredited laboratories and is subject to enforceable certificates. The acoustic performance of a glazing, considered in isolation, cannot in any case predict the performance of the glazing + window assembly.

Axis 3. THE APPEARANCE:

To manage privacy or add an aesthetic touch, choose decorative glazing.

Frosted satin glazing: Uniform appearance for enhanced privacy
Printed glazing such as Granité 200, Delta Clair, and Delta Mat for a veined appearance, Pixarena, and Master Carré for their graphic look.
Reflective glazing (note: these give a mirror-like appearance during the day for privacy, but this effect reverses at night when the interior of the home is lit).

Decorative glazing for privacy or aesthetics:

Frosted satin

Pixarena

Printed G200

Delta Clear

Delta Matte

Master square

Clear reflective

Silver reflective

Useful link: If you want to discover the appearance of your future glazing, click here.

AND TO COMPLETE...

The 3 AXES (energy needs / function / appearance) are usually combinable and compatible with each other. Therefore, an almost limitless number of glazing compositions can be offered to you. Consult your professional contact to benefit from the glazing best suited to your needs.

Glazing spacers or separators:

The glazing spacer serves the function of maintaining a constant gap between the two panes of double glazing. Traditionally, it is made of aluminum, which has the drawback of being highly conductive and increasing thermal losses between the glazing and the window frame by creating a thermal bridge.

To counter this disadvantage and avoid condensation issues, it can be replaced by a more efficient composite version, often called Warm-Edge (WE) or warm edge. We offer:

Warm-Edge type TGI
Warm-Edge type Swisspacer Ultimate

Learn more

Spacer type	Thermal conductivity [W/(m.K)]	Thermal bridge Ψg average [W/(m.K)]
Standard aluminum spacer	160	0.085
Warm-Edge spacer type TGI	0.30	0.042
Swisspacer Ultimate spacer	0.14	0.032

The filling of double glazing:

By default, all our glazing is filled with argon gas. This noble gas has thermal insulation properties that significantly reduce heat loss by convection compared to air.

For constructions at high altitudes, above 900 meters, pre-balancing may be necessary due to the lower atmospheric pressure. In this case, the glazing is put under vacuum specifically to prevent bulging of the faces of the double glazing.

And once at your home:

Almost all the glazing installed in our windows, patio doors, and sliding doors are identified by a unique Naviglass code. This 12-character code is directly printed on the spacer of the double glazing and allows you to find all the useful information about your glazing: composition, start date of warranty, performance.

Useful link: https://naviglass.saint-gobain-glass.com/

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