Long Term Heat Efficiency For Your Home
Whether you are a homeowner, a first-time buyer, or someone planning a new build, you require the property to be suitable for your requirements whilst also being energy efficient and secure.
One way of future proofing your investment and meeting the current building regulations , Part L and Part O, is by considering the installation of vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) in the property.
In most refurbishment cases, this is a simple, non-disruptive process that is an affordable option to combat the rising energy costs.
Conservation of Energy
PassivGlas™ vacuum glazing complies and exceeds the current Approved documents Part L – Conservation of fuel and power, and also exceeds the Future Homes requirements.
The benefit of choosing vacuum glazing over traditional double-glazing units, is the superior thermal insulation (VIG centre pane Ug-value of 0.49 W/m2K compared to 1.47 W/m2K for an A-rated double-glazed unit).
The ability of PassivGlas™ vacuum glazing to block the heat is the key. By utilising a vacuum rather than a traditional airgap, combined with a Low-e coating, the VIG unit reduces the heat transfer through the units as convection in the unit is eliminated due to the vacuum.
Sound Reduction
The usage of a low emissivity (Low-E) coating which reflects a large proportion of the heat, allows the unit to deliver impressive centre pane U-values. With higher specification glass coatings, single VIG’s can be made to comply with Approved Documents Part O – Overheating, by reducing further the amount of heat gain/loss with minimal compromise on the light transmittance.
A sometimes-overlooked benefit of installing PassivGlas™ vacuum glazing is the impressive sound insulation properties of a single VIG (Rw: 36 dB). This far superior to those of double glazing (Rw: 31 dB (6/16/6 – 28 mm unit)).
This additional benefit makes vacuum glazing installation an attractive solution for environments where improved noise reduction is a priority, thus adding further to the appeal of vacuum glazing in architectural design where both thermal and acoustic comfort are essential considerations.
Versatile in Performance and Security
PassivGlas™ vacuum glazing is the equivalent thickness of a single pane of glass but exceeds the performance of gas filled triple glazed units (U Value 0.81 W/m2K).
Available in thicknesses ranging from 6.15 mm to 12.15 mm, PassivGlas™ units are almost three times as thin as regular double glazing.
From an aesthetic perspective, the panes in vacuum glazing are not subject to the ‘pillowing effect’ due to the micro-pillars allowing a 0.15 mm vacuum to be created between the glass, thus preventing the units expanding and contracting.
A PassivGlas™ vacuum glazing replacement also won’t compromise the security of your home, quite the opposite, as both glasses can be either heat strengthened or toughened, and it’s also available as a laminated version to allow compliance with PAS 24 window and door designs.
Less Disruption when Retrofitting
Double glazing units are widely used in window systems. They consist of two glass panes with a layer of air or inert gas in between. Whilst double glazing (U-value: 1.47 W/m2K) provides improved insulation compared to single glazing (U-value: 5.69 W/m2K), it falls short of the insulation capabilities offered by a standard PassivGlas™ vacuum glazing unit (U Value – 0.49 W/m2K), it’s the vacuum that eliminates heat transfer through convection, resulting in higher thermal performance.
Vacuum glazing can be fitted in a property either as a standard single unit e.g. in a SASH window or as PassivGlas™ Ultimate, a hybrid (i.e. a Single VIG with a thermally broken spacer and another glass lite) in typical u-PVC frames. In both cases this offers the potential of eliminating the need to go through the costly process of replacing the framework and reducing disruption to a minimum.
Key points
PassivGlas™ can be used as a single VIG or used to create a Hybrid VIG to fit existing window frames.
- Superior thermal insulation: Ug-Value from 0.49W/m2K
- UKAS tested sound reduction of Rw 36 dB for single VIG’s and Rw 41 dB for Hybrid PassivGlas™ Ultimate units
- Slimline: from 8.15 mm thick
- 15 year warranty on single VIG’s
- High Light transmission of upto 80%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are vacuum units?
Vacuum Insulated Glazing or VIG is an advanced fenestration type of insulating unit. It consists of two glass panes, like a standard Insulating unit, but rather than the spacer bar and an air gap, VIG’s are separated by a micro vacuum gap, with a glass solder edge seal.
Are they fully tested?
Yes, they are tested to recognised industry standards:
Impact resistance: EN 12150-2 & ANSI Z97.1-37 & EN 12600 & BS356 (recently completed)
Weathering: EN1279-5 & ASTM E546/E2188/E2189
U-Value: ISO8301/EN12667 (Recently UKAS tested) & ASTM C518
Soundproof: ISO 10140-2 (Recently UKAS tested)
Do the standard units use coated glass?
Yes, all PassivGlas™ Linear units incorporate a Low-e single silver toughenable coating.
In order to meet the current Part O regulations, a Low-e double silver coating would be needed to meet the 70/40 requirements. Please check with VGN as to availability and MOQ for this product range.
What is the expected life?
Expected life on the unit is 25+ years due to there being no spacer bar to fail.
Will there be any condensation
Condensation is formed when the air temperature surrounding an object falls below the dew point and changes into a liquid
Internal:
Although condensation will not form on the internal surface of a VIG unit, Vacuum Glazing does not eradicate condensation from the room.
The warmer inner glass will potentially change the rooms cold point.
It is advisable to ensure all rooms have effective ventilation/circulation.
External:
Condensation may form on the external glass surface under certain conditions.
Generally, forms a grid around the micro-pillars.
Will disappear when the outside temperature warms with the morning sun.
It is an indication of how efficiently your windows are at reducing thermal loss.
Condensation between glasses:
An indication that the Vacuum has been lost.
Consult your supplier to confirm course of action.