New Planitherm Total+ 'raises the bar'

SAINT-GOBAIN RAISES THE BAR WITH TOUGHER, WARMER PLANITHERM TOTAL +

Europe’s leading low-E glass has now been made better than ever with the launch of the next evolution of the acclaimed PLANITHERM TOTAL+ from Saint-Gobain Glass.

The new PLANITHERM TOTAL+ has an increased g-value, making higher WERs more achievable, and also an even more robust coating to maximise manufacturers’ yield and reduce associated losses.

The g-value is stepped up from 0.71 to 0.73 thanks to the use of SGG ’s new lower-iron PLANICLEAR float substrate and further enhancements to the coating, giving not only higher solar gain to contribute to WER banding but also improved aesthetics through its greater transparency.

For IGU manufacturers, its improved magnetron coating has greater mechanical strength and scratch-resistance, reducing the wastage from accidental damage and so helping to achieve higher yield ratios.

Saint-Gobain Glass Marketing Manager, Susan Lambeth said: “This new PLANITHERM TOTAL+ not only gives higher WER performance, including the ability to deliver the new A+ band more easily, but also greater efficiencies to our customer, the IGU manufacturer. PLANITHERM TOTAL+ is one of the core elements of the residential window industry so we know these developments will be welcomed by many.

“Saint-Gobain Glass has always been a world leader in magnetron coating technology, as well as the development of all kinds of advanced glazing and this latest evolution will be a major factor in our retaining this lead.”

PLANICLEAR, which forms the substrate of the new PLANITHERM TOTAL+ was launched earlier this year as a lower-iron glass, giving higher light transmission and solar gain without the price-exclusivity of a specialist full low-iron product.

PLANITHERM has been a residential market leader for over 12 years. As well as undergoing constant evolution to retain that lead, the brand has been strongly supported by TV consumer advertising and in the trade by its unique planithern installer network and extensive marketing support material.

Triple Glazing - Some Common Misconceptions Corrected

Triple glazing has been in the news a lot this year and has been generating a lot of comments.  Gary Morgan, BFRC Technical Director, adds his expert opinion.

 

“Two panes of glass are good, but three must be better”

 

There is some merit in this simplistic statement.  Triple glazed windows are capable of achieving much higher levels of thermal performance than double glazed.  But the choice of low-e coating and gas fill are critical.  For example, consider two triple glazed IGU’s designed to fit into a 28mm glazing cavity.

 

4-20-4 Softcoat low-e, argon fill: can achieve a WER ‘A’

4-8-4-8-4 One pane of softcoat low-e, argon fill: can achieve a WER ‘B’

4-8-4-8-4 Two panes of softcoat low-e, argon fill: can achieve a WER ‘A’

 

In order to realise any benefit from the extra pane of glass, it needs to have a low e coating or the U value actually increases, meaning a thermal efficiency decrease.  Even with two panes of low-e coating, there is still no overall benefit in terms of WER performance.  The addition of an extra coated pane can, if the wrong coating is used, lead to a sharp decrease in the solar gain (g) value, which can lead to a window going from an ‘A’ to ‘B’ or even ‘C’ rating.

 

In triple glazing the use of Krypton gas in narrow cavities, or Argon gas in wider glazing cavities, does result in much improved window thermal performance.

 

“It is only possible to achieve BFRC A+ ratings using triple glazing”

 

About 80% of A+ windows are triple glazed - but 20% are double-glazed.  So it is possible to achieve an ‘A+’ with double glazing using thermally efficient frame systems and good warm edge spacer bars.

 

“Triple glazing / A+ windows can lead to overheating”

 

This is incorrect.  Is the suggestion that lower window U values result in thermal overheating?  This only occurs when the external ambient temperatures are higher than the internal room temperature (a lower U value helps to keep the room cool by keeping excess heat out).  It certainly does not cause overheating.

 

Or is solar gain supposed to be the culprit?  In triple glazed windows solar gain values are at least 10% lower than in equivalent double glazed windows.