Low-e Glass

Low-e coated glass allows building designers to strike a desired balance between visible light transmittance and solar efficiency.

With low-e coated glass, building designers can strike a desired balance between visible light transmittance and solar efficiency. ITI Glass stocks several low-e products and carries the full line of Solarban solar control low-e glazings.

Low-emissivity (low-e) glass selectively transmits visible light and filters short- and long-wave radiation from the sun -- the main causes of heat gain and sun damage in buildings. Low-e glass increases a window's efficiency two ways: First, by reducing the amount infrared radiation that transmits through a glazing, low-e glass decreases heat gain. Second, low-e minimizes heat loss and the effects of the outdoor climate on a building's controlled interior temperature by reflecting heat back to its source. In this capacity, low-e acts as a transparent barrier between indoor and outdoor climates, reducing heat transfer through a window.

MSVD and Pyrolytic Low-e

There are two types of low-e coatings, hard coat, or pyrolytic; and soft coat, or MSVD (magnetron sputter vacuum deposition). Appropriate specification of architectural glass should maximize energy efficiency. This can lower energy use of regulated heating and cooling systems and reduce the need for electric lighting.

Hard coat low-e glass performs most efficiently in climates where interior heating is most important by allowing higher levels of infrared radiation to transmit. This results in more effective use of natural heating from the sun. However, if lower U-values are desired for more efficient thermal insulating, a soft coat low-e should be specified.

Soft coat low-e glass is distinguished by higher light to solar gain (LSG) ratios and lower U-values. These perform best in climates where interior cooling and thermal insulation are most important. By effectively reducing infrared transmittance, soft coats reduce the overall heat gain through a window. This can decrease energy use of regulated cooling systems. Soft coats also reflect interior heat back to its source, resulting in less radiant heat transfer and more effective insulating performance.

PPG Solarban Low-e

ITI Glass is a certified source for the entire line of Solarban low-e glazings. Solarban solar-control glazings are available exclusively through PPG’s Certified Fabricator Program. ITI Glass is proud to be a PPG CFP member since 2006, a trusted source for quality fabricated Solarban glazings.

» View a performance comparison of Solarban glazings

Solarban 67 is the latest addition to the Solarban family. The glazing is double-silver coated and strikes a smart balance between solar control and daylighting. Solarban 67 delivers a low 0.29 SHGC with 54% visible light transmittance in a 1-inch clear insulating glass unit.

» Solarban 67 Data Sheet (PDF)

Solarban 70 XL is a triple-silver coated glazing and offers a combination of low solar heat gain and high visible light transmittance in a neutral-transparent aesthetic. In a 1-inch clear insulating glass unit the product has a LSG ratio of 2.28, which surpasses all other low-e glazings available.

» Solarban 70 XL Data Sheet (PDF)

Solarban R100 is the performance leader among netural-reflective architectural glazings. No other neutral-reflective glazing offers a low SHGC of 0.23 with a visible light transmittance of 41% in a 1-inch clear insulating glass unit.

» Solarban R100 Data Sheet (PDF)

Solarban Z50 offers a subtle, steel blue-gray aesthetic and low exterior reflectance (8%) that can complement a variety of building facades, without overpowering the design. The product also has a low interior reflectance of 11% that provides a clear, color-neutral view to the outdoors.

» Solarban Z50 Data Sheet (PDF)

Solarban 60 is a neutral-transparent glazing that offers balanced solar control to provide year-round comfort by minimizing the demand to heat and cool. In a 1-inch clear insulating glass unit, double-silver coated Solarban 60 blocks 67% of solar energy while allowing 70% visible light transmittance.

» Solarban 60 Data Sheet (PDF)

AGC Energy Select Low-e

ITI Glass also sources AGC Energy Select low-e glazings, a product line that includes Energy Select -- 25 on tints, Energy Select -- 28, Energy Select -- 36, Energy Select -- 40, Energy Select -- R42 and Energy Select -- 63.

» View a performance comparison of Energy Select glazings

» Energy Select Data Sheet (PDF)

Standards

ITI Glass fabricates all low-e coated glass in accordance with ASTM C1376-03 Standard Specification.