TECHNOLOGY I MATERIALS
U values of up to 0.5 W/m2K, in the past this functional glazing was previously mostly fitted in passive housing. In the last five years sales of high-insulation glazing have, however, risen dramatically, because when it comes to glazing, an increasing number of building owners are relying on high energy efficiency – even if their buildings have not reached the level of passive housing.
According to the German Flat Glass Manufacturers’ Association (Bundesverband Flachglas e.V.), in the period from 2008 to 2011 alone, the share accounted for by triple insulation glazing of total glazing sales in Germany rose by around 10% to over 50%. For the current year the association already expects a share of around 60 percent. And the upward trend will continue further.
“We are convinced that the market share will grow to over 90 percent. This trend is being accelerated by the forthcoming Energy Savings Ordinance (Energieeinsparverordnung - EnEV), which will probably prescribe the use of triple insulation glazing”, explains Dipl.-Oec. Jochen Grönegräs, Executive Director of the German Flat Glass Manufacturers’ Association (Bundesverband Flachglas), and Managing Director of the Multi-Pane Insulating Glass Quality Association (Gütegemeinschaft Mehrscheiben- Isolierglas).
Triple glazing in the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Finland along with Austria and Switzerland has a very high market share and similar trend perspectives as those in Germany. In view of the current trend, the specialist world is in agreement: at least in central and northern Europe the triple structure of insulation glazing is set to become a successive standard.
In parallel with the increase in energy efficiency, in the residential as well as commercial construction sector, the trend towards ever larger glass units is continuing. Architects and building owners want to have an open room ambience for their buildings with the maximum amount of daylight incidence and highest degree of external views. In winter the glazing should also ensure solar energy generation.
Higher glass pane weight
Both the current trends basically present no problem for the insulation glazing manufacturers. The know-how and technology involved in the manufacture of corresponding products are available. The problematic nature of climatic burdens (suction and pressure effect on glass panes and the edge seal), which is increasingly a feature of triple insulation glazing due to the larger inter-pane volume, can be overcome. What is problematic, however, is the increasing weight of the glass panes. By
At glasstec 2010, with their 18 x 3.3 metre triple insulation glass pane (10/18/10/18/10), insulation glass manufacturer Henze Glas showed which glass dimensions can now be realized. Photo: Messe Düsseldorf
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www.solar-international.net I Issue V 2012
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