Key Features of Insulated Glass

Superior Energy Efficiency: In modern buildings, energy consumption is mainly due to air conditioning and lighting, accounting for 55% and 23% of energy use, respectively. Glass, being the thinnest and most heat-conductive material in the building envelope, plays a crucial role. Insulated glass excels in thermal insulation because the desiccant within the aluminum spacer keeps the air inside the glass dry through the spacer’s gaps, resulting in excellent temperature insulation performance.

High Sound Insulation: Insulated glass can reduce noise levels by 27 to 40 decibels. For instance, an 80-decibel traffic noise outside is reduced to only 50 decibels inside the building.

Frost and Condensation Elimination: Single-pane glass tends to frost when there is a significant temperature difference between the interior and exterior. Insulated glass, however, maintains a dry air layer between the panes, preventing condensation even when the exterior glass is exposed to very low temperatures. The dew point for insulated glass can reach as low as -70°C (excluding non-sealed types).

Improved Wind Pressure Resistance: Curtain walls mainly withstand wind loads, making wind pressure resistance a key metric. Insulated glass offers 15 times the wind pressure resistance of single-pane glass.

Reduced Spontaneous Breakage: The production method for insulated glass involves bonding, a cold processing technique that does not alter the internal stress of the original glass sheet. The edges are sealed with elastic materials, reducing the likelihood of spontaneous breakage.

Durability of Coated Glass: Metal coatings on coated glass must not be exposed to air for extended periods. In insulated glass, the metal coating is sealed in dry air, ensuring it remains intact and does not peel off.

Prevention of Thermal Breakage: In air-conditioned rooms, single-pane glass can crack during summer due to direct sunlight heating the outer layer, creating a temperature differential between the interior and exterior. Insulated glass mitigates this issue, preventing such thermal breakage.

Applications of Insulated Glass: Insulated glass is suitable for doors and windows of high-end buildings, skylights, noise-sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, sports venues, TV and radio studios. It is also used in refrigeration appliances, aircraft, ships, and locomotives.

Edited on 7th Feb 2016