BUILDING ENVELOPE
A window to the future
Phil Brown of Pilkington UK looks at three advanced glazing trends that can help make your project more sustainable, as well as some of the regulatory measures you need to be aware of when building or renovating your own home
S
pecifying the right glass and glazing is an essential part of any building or renovation project. Windows and glass facades have the power to transform the appearance of a building, fill spaces with natural light, create the illusion of bigger spaces, and help connect occupants with the outdoors. But if a project is going to be a forever home, it needs to be fit for the future – not just by looking good, but by doing good too. Self-builders must consider both the aesthetic value and the environmental benefits it creates with regard to its impact on a building’s energy performance.
The ethical case for sustainable development is growing in line with concerns over the climate crisis. But policymakers are laying new regulatory frameworks to steer the creation of homes with a reduced environmental impact, introducing a new legal case for self-builders to consider too. Nearly 15% of the UK’s total emissions come from heating homes, and the Government is legally bound to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 78% compared to 1990 levels in less than 15 years. This commitment has triggered an array of regulatory changes to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. These will have a significant impact on the type of glass that must be used in buildings that any self-builder needs to be aware of.
So, sustainability needs to increasingly
be front of mind when building or renovating a home, which is where high-performance glazing can deliver major benefits.
SOLAR CONTROL GLASS Solar control glass allows daylight to pass through a window or facade while reflecting away the sun’s heat to help prevent overheating, which can improve a building’s environmental performance by reducing reliance on cooling systems. The specialist glass has an increasing
role to play in UK architecture, with 61% of architects seeing a spike in demand for
nov/dec 2021
solar control glass. They attribute this trend to climate change, driving the need for energy efficient cooling solutions, as well as building regulations. This includes changes to an existing building regulation in England and Wales known as Part L, which legislates for the conservation of fuel and power. Building regulation for new homes will include a section on glazing’s role in limiting the effects of solar gains in summer, introducing requirements for certain levels of shading, depending on where in the UK the property is located. These are expected to come into force in mid-2022 and specifics can be found on the Government website, but solar control glass will have a key role to play in helping to meet these requirements. Developers will need to consider much more carefully in their designs how to limit solar gains during the summer.
THERMAL INSULATION GLASS Thermal insulation, or low-emissivity glass, is central to energy conservation and comfort in a home, minimising heat loss and reducing the need for central heating. It works by reflecting the energy emitted by heating systems and surfaces back into the room, while also allowing the heat of the sun’s rays to pass through the glass and passively warm the house.
This can be hugely valuable in the winter months, helping families to reduce their central heating usage. Building regulations to limit the heat
loss from dwellings have been around for a while, with Part L1A outlining the requirements for new dwellings, and L1B for replacement windows fitted in existing dwellings. They dictate that fabric
Solar control, thermal
insulation and heated glass are three types of specialist glass that can help to reduce your home’s
environmental impact
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