Glass
Glazing selection directly determines a building’s energy balance, interior noise level, and resistance to burglary. Since glass usually occupies over 80% of a window’s surface, its parameters – from the U-value (Ug) to impact resistance class – are critical for the functionality of the joinery. At All Windows Group, we provide advanced glazing solutions that allow precise solar energy management, reduce heating costs, and protect occupants’ privacy while maintaining maximum daylight transmission.
Standard
Patterned
Anti-Sun
Soundproof
Hardened
Laminated
Customized glazing configuration
Specification and Functionality of Modern Glazing Units
Modern glass production technology enables hybrid configurations, where a single pane can perform multiple functions simultaneously. Selecting the appropriate glazing should take into account the building’s location, window orientation, and specific user requirements for acoustics or security.
Thermal Insulation and Multi-Glazed Units
Energy efficiency today relies on triple-glazed units, where inter-pane spaces are filled with a noble gas (argon) and the glass is coated with invisible low-emissivity layers. This solution dramatically lowers the Ug value, retaining heat in winter while limiting solar overheating in summer. In renovation projects or utility buildings, double-glazed units are still used, offering a compromise between lightweight construction and basic thermal protection.
Noise Protection and Solar Control
In areas exposed to high noise levels, e.g., near busy roads, acoustic glass with panes of varying thickness effectively dampens waves at different frequencies. For large south-facing glazing, solar-control glass (e.g., COOL-LITE or Stopsol) is essential. Selective coatings reflect a significant portion of solar energy, preventing greenhouse effects inside rooms without reducing transparency.
Safety and Mechanical Durability
In locations prone to damage or requiring burglary protection, we use reinforced glass:
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Tempered glass (ESG) features increased bending strength and thermal shock resistance, shattering into small, blunt pieces when broken.
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Laminated glass (VSG) consists of multiple glass layers bonded with PVB foil, which keeps fragments in place when broken, creating a difficult-to-penetrate barrier.
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Ornamental glass provides visual privacy, diffuses light, and is ideal for bathrooms or offices without the need for blinds.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Glass
The standard in passive construction is triple-glass units with a Ug coefficient of 0.5 W/m²K. It is also important to use warm edge spacers, which eliminate the thermal bridge at the edges of the glass.
Tempered glass is harder and more resistant to point impacts, whereas laminated glass, when broken, does not shatter but remains “stuck” to the foil. For balustrades and protection against burglary, the combination of both technologies (tempered laminated glass) works best.
The mirror effect is based on the difference in light intensity. During the day, when it is brighter outside, the glass reflects like a mirror. At night, with interior lights on, this effect disappears, and the interior may become visible to outsiders.
It is the heat transfer coefficient of the glass. The lower the Ug value, the better the thermal insulation of the unit and the lower the energy loss in the building.
In most cases, yes, provided the width of the glazing rebate in the frame allows it. Replacing a double-glass unit with a triple-glass unit in older frames often requires the use of thinner glazing beads.