Reflective glass and tinted coatings. Mirror plastic windows

Sheet polished glass is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sand, heated to temperatures above 1200 ° C and passed through a bath of molten tin.

The product, obtained by the floating strip method on the surface of molten tin, is a sheet of high-quality transparent glass with plane-parallel glossy surfaces and undistorted visibility.

Purpose of sheet polished glass

Polished sheet glass is a universal product used for the production of double-glazed windows, mirrors, glass doors, portals, when creating external enclosing structures, and other architectural structures, that is, in places where high demands are placed on light transmission.

Glass is used in a wide variety of combinations, with the main goal being increased protection:

• Protection against heat loss thanks to the application of low-emissivity coatings such as Planibel Top N and Planibel Plus glass from Glaverbel.
• Protection against overheating using glass painted in the mass, or glass coated with metal oxides, which performs a sun-protective function.
• Noise protection - through use special technology glazing using glass various thicknesses.
• Protection against destruction under significant mechanical loads, thanks to heat treatment glass in the form of tempering and heat strengthening.
• Protection.

Classification of glass types

• Flat float glass;
• Energy saving (low emission);
• Tinted in mass (selective);
• Reflex (sun reflective);
• Reflex + energy saving in one;
• Enameled;
• Special (fire-resistant, heat-strengthened, tempered, laminated, double-glazed windows with electric heating).

Flat float glass
The mixture of raw components is charged into the firebox and diluted with water to separate the desired components from the dirt. In the furnace, the glass production process goes through 3 main stages:

• smelting, when the raw material melts at a temperature of 1550 C;
• purification, when the molten glass is homogenized (becomes uniform) and gas bubbles are removed from it;
• change temperature regime, when the melt is cooled to a viscous state, convenient for pulling it through a bath of tin.

Further liquid glass poured onto the surface of a bath filled with molten tin, the temperature of which is about 1000 C. The bath is made in the form of a ribbon, the thickness of the tin is 6-7 mm. Due to the high viscosity of glass, it does not mix with liquid tin, while providing a very smooth contact surface of both materials, which determines the smooth, high-quality surface of the glass. The thickness of future glass sheets is determined by the amount of molten glass poured into the bath.

After a bath with tin, the now solid glass in the form of a ribbon passes through a cold tunnel called “lehr”. The temperature of the glass gradually decreases from 620 to 250 C. The cooling process continues until the condition of the glass allows it to be cut and processed.

Chilled glass strip is cut into sheets on automatic tables the right size. Only this production method is possible to obtain M0 glass.

Energy-saving (low-emissivity) glass
Windows account for more than 40% of heat loss in a building, which consists of:

• thermal conductivity;
• convection;
• thermal radiation.

Heat loss in the first two points can be reduced by using double-glazed windows in the glazing, but the main share (2/3 of all window heat loss) comes from thermal radiation.

These losses can be reduced by using low-emissivity (LowE)-coated energy-saving glass in insulating glass units. This coating applied to the glass surface during its production by cathode sputtering in a magnetic field under vacuum conditions. The coating has the ability to reflect the infrared (thermal) part light spectrum. Glass provides good thermal insulation in winter, preventing heat from escaping from the room, while at the same time having good light transmission.

Tinted in mass (selective)
Tinted glass is glass that is colored in bulk during the melting process in a foundry. Coloring in blue, bronze, gray or green leads to strong absorption of the corresponding parts of the spectrum. Thanks to absorption, glass absorbs about 50% of the energy of solar radiation, and subsequently reflects the energy, directing it outward.

When designing facades, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of spontaneous glass failure due to the absorption of too much heat and subsequent thermal shock. To avoid this, it is recommended to use heat-strengthened or tempered tinted glass.

Some types of tinted glass:

• Saint-Gobain: Parsol green, gray, amber, bronze, pink;
• Pilkington: Optifloat (colors: the same), Arctic Blue (blue);
• Graverbel: Planibel (same colors + blue).

Reflective glass
Reflective glasses provide more effective protection from the sun due to a reflective layer applied to the surface of the glass, which is applied to transparent or tinted glass during its production. Its task is to reflect both daylight and solar heat.

The use of such glass in glazing will reduce the heating of the room from sunlight, reduce the cost of air conditioning the room, ensure an optimal energy balance of the building, and also decorate it (mirror reflection effect).

Reflex + energy saving in one

• They are made by spraying two layers: reflective and energy-saving (reflective and energy-saving in one);
• They simultaneously protect the building from excessive heating and save energy;
• They save costs on both air conditioning and heating.

Enameled glass
With some digression, colored glass includes glass obtained by sintering paint with glass at high temperature. This composition is called enamel (stemalite). This glass is used for closing interfloor ceilings.

Fireproof glass
This glass is a colorless, transparent laminated glass, where sheets of float glass are bonded together with a special gel. The gel swells upon contact with fire, turning into an insulating “foam”. Depending on the glass design, it provides protection for up to 120 minutes. It is also safety glass.
Fire-resistant glass is divided into classes:

• Class E - integrity (protection from flame and combustion products);
• Class W - partial thermal insulation (up to 15 kW/m2);
• Class I - maximum thermal insulation.

The number following the class shows the time during which protection is guaranteed. So, if glass provides protection from flames and gases for 30 minutes, it is designated E30;
if the glass additionally provides protection from high temperatures, it is designated EI30, etc.

Strained glass
Tempered glass is sheet glass that has been subjected to special heat treatment to increase mechanical strength and ensure safe destruction.

• does not collapse from accidental household impacts;
• has high thermal resistance, which allows it to be used for facade glazing;
• when broken, it forms small, harmless glass fragments that are not capable of injuring people.

The bending strength of tempered glass can reach 250 MPa, which is more than 5 times higher than the tensile strength of ordinary sheet glass, and the impact strength of tempered glass is 3-4 times higher than that of ordinary glass.
An increase in mechanical strength leads to an increase in heat resistance. Ordinary glass has a heat resistance of about 400 o C, tempered glass - up to 1800 o C. This allows the glass to resist destruction when overheated or due to temperature changes.

Laminated glass
Triplex is a composition of two or more layers of glass interspersed with layers of resin or film. This glass has good protective properties— when broken, the fragments remain glued to the intermediate layer.

Depending on the intermediate layer used, triplex can acquire different properties. The Double-Glazed and Architectural Glass Factory offers triplexes:

• Noise reducing. Triplexes with such properties can reduce noise levels;
• Shockproof. Triplexes with increased strength. Various combination layers of glass and resin allows you to achieve different strength classes: A1-A3 - impact resistant, B1 - B3 - penetration resistant, B1-B6 - bulletproof.
• UV protective. Triplexes capable of limiting ultraviolet radiation penetrating into the room.

Self-cleaning glass "Pilkington Activ™"
Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass is neutral color with a special coating based on titanium oxide, which ensures self-cleaning from organic contaminants. The coating is sprayed onto the surface of the finished glass, which has not yet cooled, giving it two new properties:

The surface of the glass becomes hydrophilic - the water that gets on the glass does not collect in drops, but evenly wets the surface. The coating ensures the catalytic decomposition of organic contaminants under the influence of natural ultraviolet radiation sun (the so-called photocatalytic process).

Thanks to these unique properties The coating intensively decomposes any dirt that gets on it, preventing it from adhering tightly to the surface of the glass. All contaminants are easily washed away by rain, since the hydrophilicity of the coating ensures uniform spreading of raindrops. After drying, there are no streaks or stains left on the glass. With Pilkington Activ™ glass you will have to worry much less about keeping your windows clean - the glass cleans itself!

Pilkington Corporation specialists predict a coating service life of at least 20 years without loss of cleaning properties. Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass does not require any special care. In appearance, glass is practically indistinguishable from ordinary glass. window glass, only under oblique lighting is a slight bluish tint of the coating noticeable. The light delay of self-cleaning glass does not exceed 7% - even slight contamination window glass blocks light more.

Double-glazed windows with electric heating
For creating maximum comfort people indoors recently window blocks, skylights, greenhouses and winter gardens They are starting to use double-glazed windows with electric heating. Electric heating of a double-glazed window equalizes the temperature difference between the inner glass of the double-glazed window and the air in the room, thereby reducing the downward flow of cold air near the surface of the glass, and reducing the circulation of cold air allows you to create the most comfortable conditions indoors at minimum costs for heating. Externally, a double-glazed window with electric heating is no different from a regular one. single-chamber double-glazed window. It uses tempered energy-saving glass. Tempered glass ensures electrical safety, and the inter-glass strip eliminates the “cold bridge” along the entire perimeter of the glass unit.

Such a double-glazed window can be used in three modes depending on the power and solve various problems:

• surface power 50-100 W/sq.m To increase indoor comfort. Surface temperature of the window +15 - +25 C.
• power on the surface 100-300 W/sq.m For heating the room - an additional or main source of heat. Temperature inner surface glass +20°-+40° C.
• power on the surface 50-600 W/sq.m. Specific application - thawing of snow and ice and the main source of heat. The temperature of the inner surface of the glass, depending on the object, is up to +110° C.

The main advantages of double-glazed windows with electric heating:

• Elimination of condensation on the glazed surface;
• Removing snow and ice;
• Elimination of draft - directed flows of cold air;
• Possibility of joint use with a security alarm system;
• Maintaining a constant indoor microclimate.

Mirror windows- enough interesting solution not only for cafes, but also for residential or office premises, especially those located on the first floors. They will ensure a comfortable stay in the room, provide a sufficient amount of light, but will become impenetrable to views from the street, and will be able to reflect excess ultraviolet radiation.

How are mirror structures used?

Mirror glass in windows is, in fact, ordinary glass, therefore it has the same technical characteristics, as the usual transparent double-glazed windows. Its main difference from ordinary glass is its specularity, which makes it impossible to see from the street what is happening inside the room. In addition, such a double-glazed window protects well from infrared radiation, resulting in a pleasant microclimate in the room. In summer, the rooms will be noticeably cooler, and in winter, heating costs will decrease.

Externally, such glass looks attractive. A building equipped with them takes on a stylish, modern appearance; however, mirrored windows also go well with classic facades, becoming invisible against the general background.

How are mirror glasses made?

There are two technologies used to produce mirror glass. The first is the simplest and most inexpensive, thanks to it you can make any double-glazed windows mirrored: to do this, just stick it on. The film may differ in its ability to transmit light. It is also classified by color.

Erect film for windows

The second method is available only at the factory; during glass production, it is coated with a thin layer of metal oxide. It is invisible to the eye, but makes the surface mirror-like.

What types of double-glazed windows are there?

Mirrored ones are more often found covered with film, because their production is cheaper, and this option is more accessible to the buyer. The protection obtained by using the film is optimal. Applying it is not difficult; you can even do it yourself on long-installed windows.

It will allow you to adjust the lighting in the room and prevent too bright sun from overheating the room. This means that interior items will not fade, the color of wallpaper and flooring will last longer, it will be noticeably cooler in the summer, and your eyes will be less tired. Wherein houseplants will receive enough light.

Mirror double-glazed windows have approximately the same functions and properties, however, they are more durable. If the film may swell over time or suffer physical damage, then the spray cannot be removed from the glass unit. On the other hand, this creates certain inconveniences: if you want to change throughput structures for light or its design, then the coated windows will have to be dismantled, while the film can simply be peeled off.

More often mirror film used to decorate glass. If desired, the owner can choose any color he likes, which will help give the window a suitable appearance for any interior or facade.

Reflective glass in double glazing

Reflective glass is called glass with a mirror effect. Such a product is capable of absorbing up to 60% of harmful radiation, but transmits sufficient light. There are three types of mirror glass:

• Absorbing: do not transmit some light, have a blue or greenish tint. Infrared radiation lingers in them quite well. Glass absorbs up to 2/3 of ultraviolet radiation. 70% of the light enters the room. The only drawback of this technology is the fear of overheating. Glass at high temperatures gradually loses its properties.
• Reflective ones can perfectly insulate heat, so they will be useful not only in winter, but also in summer time when energy costs increase significantly due to the use of heating devices or air conditioners. This design is not afraid of heating, effectively absorbs radiation, excess sunlight, and has no technical deficiencies, however, its cost is much higher, which makes this technology less popular.
• Combined ones can absorb and reflect sunlight. This is the most convenient and profitable solution. This glass can be used in any climatic conditions, convenient for use in any room, regardless of the time of year, but the price of such a design is quite high.

Technical characteristics of reflective double-glazed windows

Regardless of how reflective glass is created, it will not fade or burn out, scratches will not appear on it, the thickness can reach up to 1 cm. The glass unit area can reach up to 6x3.2 meters.

The installation of such glass is no different from the installation of a conventional double-glazed window. Reflective glass is most popular for decorating supermarket facades, office buildings

If the windows of your room face the sunny side, are on the first floors, and you want to protect your privacy from the sun and prying eyes, using mirrored glass will be an excellent solution.

Each specific type of glass must perform a very specific function. There are five main functions of glass:

• soundproofing
• thermal insulation in summer
• thermal insulation in winter
• protective functions
• aesthetic functions

Strained glass

Tempered glass is obtained by additional heat treatment. Compared to conventional annealed glass, it has increased thermal and mechanical strength, which is ensured by the internal stresses that arise during glass tempering.

Externally, tempered glass is no different from ordinary glass, but this glass cannot be subjected to any further processing or cutting because it is destroyed when the outer layers of the glass are damaged. When broken, tempered glass breaks into small rounded fragments that do not have sharp cutting edges and are therefore safe for others.

Tempered glass used for increased safety requirements for windows and doors.

Dot-dyed glass

Glass colored in the mass is absorbent ( solar control glass) glass, in the manufacture of which various substances are used to obtain the desired color. It absorbs more solar thermal energy and light than regular clear glass.

The most common are gray and green colors, as well as intermediate between bronze and brown. It is also possible to produce glass in other colors. It is used in the manufacture of glass facades, partitions, windows and doors.

Laminated glass (Triplex)

Triplex is a multilayer glass with a polymer film or a layer of special resin located inside. At mechanical impact(impact, shot) the glass is destroyed, but the fragments remain firmly adhered to the intermediate layer, so it is safe for others. Laminated glass can be bulletproof, and triplex also has improved sound insulation properties.

The main task of a triplex is to prevent violent intrusion. Lamination does not increase the mechanical strength of glass; however, when destroyed, laminated glass remains<целым>thanks to laminated film, i.e. glass shards remain attached to the film.

Different types Laminating films can provide almost any glass tinting.

Wired glass.

Wired glass - sheet glass with metal mesh, safe and fire-resistant, which in the event of a fire forms an effective barrier against smoke and hot gases. In the event of a fire, it may crack, but the reinforcement holds it in place, thereby preventing the spread of fire.

Glass shards do not fall out even when several breaks form, but are held in place by reinforcement. Reinforced glass can be used for glazing factory floors, windows, skylights, elevator shafts and facades.

Patterned glass

Patterned glass is sheet glass, one surface of which has a decorative treatment. It happens different colors, patterns, different thicknesses (4-6mm), may have different light transmittance. Patterned glass can be tempered and laminated. It is mainly used for internal glazing and in the manufacture of stained glass.

Reflective glass (solar control)

Reflective glass - reflective glass with a special metal oxide coating. The coating is applied pyrolytically to one of the glass surfaces during the production process. Solar control glass is designed for additional protection premises from solar ultraviolet radiation and creating the effect mirror surface.

For example, glass that is colored throughout the glass, as well as some types of glass with coatings, are sun-protective.

According to the mechanism of action, sunglasses can be divided into 2 groups:

• predominantly reflecting radiation.
• predominantly absorbing radiation.

The surface of group 1 glass is characterized by a thin metal layer applied during the production process, which prevents the penetration of radiation through the glass. It should be noted that the reflective layers simultaneously partially absorb radiation.

In the manufacture of absorbent glasses, either metal crystals or metal oxides, which have the ability to absorb part of solar radiation, are applied to the molten glass mass. In the process of absorbing radiation, the glass heats up and releases most of the heat it receives to the outside space. Some of the heat, however, is transferred indoors.

Designs that combine reflective and low emissivity coatings are a new product coming to market. Fully reflective surfaces of transparent glasses are obtained by successively applying a coating to the glass surface. As a rule, the number of coating layers is five, of which four are layers of metal oxides, and the working layer is silver. Silver has the ability to transmit visible light, just like ordinary glass. In the case where the wavelength is greater than 0.76 microns, silver almost completely reflects all radiation. In addition, such glasses also have good thermal insulation properties.

In microfilter glasses, microprism-shaped areas are created on the surface of the glass by etching or sandblasting. Using silk-screen printing, you can get areas that work in almost the same way. What they have in common is that only part of the glass surface is processed. When performing the operation of applying a pattern, the position of the sun above the horizon is taken into account so that the angles of the microprisms work at the minimum angle of encounter with thermal solar radiation. When the angle of incidence of solar radiation becomes smaller, the proportion of reflectivity increases. In appearance, microfilter glasses differ little from ordinary glass.

Energy saving glass

Energy saving glass- glass with a special coating that selectively reflects infrared rays, i.e. tolerate heat. Since the coating consists of very thin layers sprayed onto the surface of the glass, the transparency of the glass to visible light changes only slightly. This glass reflects infrared (thermal) radiation back into the room and is therefore widely used to improve the thermal insulation properties of windows.

Giving energy-saving properties to glass is associated with applying low-emission optical coatings to its surface, and the glass itself with such a coating is called low-emissivity. These coatings allow short-wave solar radiation to pass into the room, but prevent long-wave thermal radiation from leaving the room, for example from heating device Therefore, glasses with low-emissivity coatings are called “selective glasses”.

Currently, two types of coatings are used for energy-saving properties: the so-called K - glass (Low-E) - a "hard" coating and i - glass (Double Low-E) - a "soft" coating.

The soft coating gives the glass better heat-saving properties. But it is not resistant to moisture, so it cannot be long-term storage in the open. In addition, when installing glass with soft coating required for double glazing optional equipment, since it is necessary to remove the coating at the gluing site.

Hard-coated glass does not have these disadvantages, therefore, despite the worse energy-saving characteristics, such glass is much more often installed in double-glazed windows.

Comparative characteristics double-glazed windows depending on the type of energy-saving glass from various companies

In cases where the windows are not decorated with curtains and blinds, the problem arises of the penetration of excessive sunlight and increased attention from passers-by. This problem can be avoided by installing reflective and tinted glass. Glass, treated to prevent excessive light transmission and prying eyes, differs only in cost and production technology.

Reflective double glazed windows (spy)

They are performed by applying a thin layer of metal oxide to the glass, which prevents partial penetration of ultraviolet radiation into the room and gives the glass a reflective effect. He retains this function bilaterally. In addition to good light penetration protection, glass has the property of partially saving thermal energy.

Tinted double-glazed windows with films

Tinted glass, like reflective glass, serves as light protection. For this purpose, ultra-thin polymer films are used. At the moment, there are many types that have a combined tinting principle - mirror, shockproof, energy saving, giving different shades glass

Tinted glass units in bulk (bottle effect)

These glasses do not have a coating or tinting film, and the solid glass itself is made with color additives. Such double-glazed windows are mainly used only to reduce the passage solar energy into the room, but their toning effect is not significant. Since all reflective coatings and glass with films have a mirror effect, such glasses were developed for use in the exterior and interior without such an effect. The most common colors are bronze and blue.

Double-glazed windows with a matte surface.

Its main distribution frosted glass received in bathrooms, meeting rooms or in furniture making.

These glasses come in four types:

1. "Satin". The most common and economical glass. The haze is imparted to glass by treating the glass with acid. It transmits light very well and, in comparison with other methods of frosting glass, is a leader among such glasses due to its strength and capabilities. This glass can be not only monolithically frosted, but also with a frosted pattern.
2. "Creset".. Glass with relief patterns. Such glasses were very common in the 20th century, although they are still in demand today. Before the advent of "satin", "kreset" had a large number of patterns, but over time, due to a decrease in demand, only one or two patterns remained in use.
3. “Sandblasting” The haze is achieved by treating the glass with sand. The sand is accelerated by the air flow and directed into the glass, then the sand particles knock out the glass chips, giving the glass a dull finish. This method has a disadvantage, since due to the knocking out of glass particles, it becomes more fragile than “satin” or “creset”
4. "Smart" glass. These are the most advanced technologies in making glass haze. “Smart” translated from English means smart. In short, such glass becomes frosted when the electricity is turned off, and transparent when turned on. This effect is achieved due to nanoparticles that are located between two glued glasses (triplex). Without the supply of energy, the particles are in a chaotic state and when looking at the glass, a matte effect is visible, and when electricity is connected to the glass, an electromagnetic field is formed, which aligns the particles strictly with their end facing our view and, due to their small end area, the glass becomes transparent. The disadvantage of such glass is still the price and electricity consumption.

Do you need tinted and reflective windows and who needs them?

If we ignore “smart” glass, then the use of glass with a reflection effect is advisable and even necessary for interiors that do not involve shading with curtains and blinds. These can be shopping and entertainment centers, offices, apartments and houses with panoramic glazing. The cost of a double-glazed window does not exceed the cost of a regular one by more than 10%, which allows you to save on the purchase of curtains or on the repair of a constantly fading interior.

Pros and cons of tinted and reflective coating:

• Reflective and tinting coatings are easy to use and do not interfere with the interior compared to blinds.
• Compared to blinds, they reflect the sun's energy much better and do not heat up like aluminum slats of blinds in the summer.
• No maintenance required.
• Wide variety of colors. The variety of colors in films is not only huge, but it is also possible to choose them with different percentages of solar energy reflection, environment and darkening the room.
• The downside is that when the lights are on inside the room at night, everything will be visible from the street. But this is significant if the windows are low to the ground.
• An important advantage is additional sound insulation due to tinting films, and also increases the impact resistance of such glass.

In summer, solar thermal energy increases significantly and the natural heating of the room with the help of heat rays increases. An excess of solar energy indoors, in addition to discomfort for humans, carries with it the following Negative consequences, such as fading of furniture, other interior elements, etc. scorching Sun rays warm up not only the air in the room, but also the external structures of the building, which leads to constant stuffiness both day and night. Staying in the room will be significantly difficult and will turn into torture for a person. This problem can be solved plastic windows with solar control glasses that reduce the transmission of solar radiation in the entire spectrum of wavelengths or in part of it.

I would like to note that cooling, unlike central heating, requires large energy costs.

Glass is classified according to production technology reflective, tinted And multifunctional glass.

According to the mechanism of action, sunglasses can be divided into 3 groups:

1. Mostly reflective radiation - reflective glass (StopSol). The production of such glasses is characterized by the application of a thin metal layer to the surface, which prevents radiation from penetrating glass.

Reflective (solar) glass- reflective glass with a special metal oxide coating, which is applied pyrolytically to one of the glass surfaces during its production.


Reflective glass is designed to additionally protect rooms from solar ultraviolet radiation and create the effect of a mirror surface. During the daytime, a “mirror” effect will be observed with outside and a “tinted” effect when viewed from inside the room. IN dark time days, the optical properties of reflective glasses are “inverted”, that is, when the indoor lighting is turned on, the “mirror” effect will be observed from inside the room. In other words, reflective glass reflects light in the direction where there is more of it. Reflective glass is installed in a double-glazed window with either external or internal glass coating inside the double-glazed window. If the reflective glass coating is oriented towards the street, then a colorless mirror is observed from the street side, but if the reflective glass coating is facing the inside of the room, then a tinted mirror is observed from the street side.

Reflective spraying “works” due to changes in lightening, so in the evening you can observe a “mirroring” effect indoors. With the same level of lightening inside and outside the room, the glass will have a tinted effect.
To achieve mirror effect at night, for example in office or banking premises, additional lighting must be installed on the glass outside.

Thermal reflective glass strongly reflects infrared rays (from 50 to 80%), while transmitting up to 70% of visible light.

1. Mostly absorbing radiation - tinted glass. In the manufacture of absorbent glasses, either metal crystals or metal oxides, which have ability to absorb part of solar radiation. At the same time, the glass heats up and releases most of the heat it receives to the outside space. Some of the heat, however, is transferred indoors, which is, of course, an undesirable phenomenon, increasing the energy requirement for cooling the room. Tinted glass reflects infrared rays (from 30 to 60%), while transmitting at least 65-80% of visible light (depending on the thickness and color of the glass).

Tinted glass(tinted glass) - is a colored glass with a reduced light transmittance. Tinted glass is a decorative solar control glass. Its main purpose is to give the building an aesthetic appearance. Tinted glass has a very good visual perception. It looks transparent colored glass. As the thickness of colored glass increases, its shade changes. Visually this manifests itself in the fact that thin glass has more light shade, thick - much darker. From an aesthetic point of view, the decorative effect of thicker and therefore darker glass is better. The thickness of the glass must be taken into account in cases where it is necessary to achieve color uniformity. For example, when glazing building facades.
Tinted glass has high light absorption properties. Compared to clear glass, solar control glass always absorbs light better and transmits light worse. It absorbs visible and infrared rays from the solar spectrum, but remains transparent enough to visible light. By absorbing the sun's rays, the glass heats up and transfers some of the heat into the room. In summer this creates some inconvenience, since the room heats up and it is necessary high costs for its conditioning. Therefore, in the windows and façade structures, which are on sunny side, it is recommended to install solar reflective glass.

Tinted windows reduce light transmission in both directions without creating a “mirror” effect. Installed in a double-glazed window with external glass.


Film tinting is carried out by gluing PVC tinting films to the surface of the finished glass. Huge color palette films allows you to get exactly the shade that is needed. Glass with a film applied to it becomes injury-proof.


Pros: creation of stable mirror and metallized surfaces, strengthening of glass, low cost.

The downside is the labor-intensive production of tinted coatings and lack of resistance to strong external mechanical influences. How to distinguish glass tinted in the mass from glass tinted with a film? For glass tinted in the mass, the end also has the color of the main glass mass, and for glass tinted with a film, the end is either greenish (when tinted with a film of ordinary transparent glass).

Photochromic glasses (“chameleons”, heat-absorbing)


Photochromic glasses change color under the influence of radiation: they darken when illuminated, and in the absence of intense lighting they become colorless again. Such glass is used to protect heavily glazed buildings from the sun, to maintain constant illumination of rooms, as well as in transport. Photochromic glasses contain boron oxide B2O3, and the photosensitive component is silver chloride AgCl in the presence of copper oxide Cu2O. When illuminated, the following process occurs:
AgCl - → Ag 0 + Cl 0
The release of atomic silver causes the glass to darken. In the dark, the reaction proceeds in the opposite direction.

1. Fully reflective surfaces – multifunctional glass. They are obtained by sequentially applying a coating to the surface of the glass. Typically, the number of coating layers is five, of which four are metal oxide layers, and the fifth working layer consists of silver. Silver has the ability to transmit visible light, just like regular glass. In the case where the wavelength is greater than 0.76 microns, silver almost completely reflects all radiation. In addition, such glasses also have good thermal insulation properties. Such glasses also absorb part of the infrared solar radiation, but heat up much less, and their lighting characteristics depend little on the thickness of the sheet.

Thanks to sun protection glasses In summer, the room is not so hot, the contrast and brightness of illuminated objects is less. As a result, eye fatigue is reduced and people are less tired.

When purchasing solar control glass, you must remember that the distortion of the colors of objects viewed through it should be minimal.

Solar control glazing is more expensive than glazing with clear and low-e glass, but these additional costs are offset within one season of operation by reducing the cost of air conditioning.