Designing for Solar and Ultraviolet Protection
Solar and thermal energy controls must be carefully considered when designing and specifying a glazing system. This is because the amount of energy transferred through glazing impacts the costs of heating, cooling and lighting a building. Many people don't know that the type of glazing used in window openings directly affects the amount of natural daylight, heat transfer, glare, fading of materials, noise level, safety, security and overall comfort of the building's occupants. Laminated glazing made with Saflex® interlayer provides a variety of benefits to address these solar control challenges.
Saflex interlayer, when combined with appropriate types of glass, can provide cost-effective solutions to almost any solar control issue. This interlayer offers UV protection that provides the following benefits:
- Reducing fading and damage from ultraviolet rays
- Controlling visible light radiation
- Effectively managing heat buildup
- Reducing thermal stress
Laminated glass is formed by permanently bonding two pieces of glass (of any type) to a tough, resilient, protective interlayer through a high-temperature and pressure process. The benefit of laminated glass is even when the glass is broken due to sufficient impact, the pieces of glass tend to adhere to the interlayer.
Reducing Fading and Damage from Ultraviolet Rays with Laminated Glass
Saflex interlayer can be laminated between nearly any standard or solar management glass to provide a wide range of appearance and performance benefits.
Laminated glass made with Saflex interlayer is virtually impervious to ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet radiation wavelengths range from 280-380 nanometers (nm). At a nominal 0.76 mm thick (0.030 inch), Saflex interlayer is formulated to selectively filter greater than 99% of the UV radiation up to 380 nm, transmitting less than 1% of the harmful UV radiation. An equivalent thickness of monolithic clear glass transmits 62% of the ultraviolet radiation.
Saflex solar interlayer is specially fabricated to absorb the near infrared portion of the energy spectrum (780 to 2250 nm) while allowing visible light to pass through the laminate. Most of the absorbed energy is then radiated back to the outside of the glazing. As a result, heat buildup within a structure is minimized.
Controlling Visible Light Radiation
Laminated glazing made with Saflex and Vanceva interlayer effectively controls Visible Light Transmittance to reduce the damage caused to interior furnishings. Transmitted visible light can be scattered or transmitted straight through a glazing. When light is scattered through a glazing, it is referred to as translucent. If most of the light is transmitted through the glazing, it is referred to as transparent. If no visible light (0%Tv) is transmitted through a glazing it is considered opaque. Saflex and Vanceva interlayer can be specified in different thicknesses and colors to effectively manage the amount of visible light desired within a building without sacrificing aesthetics.
Managing Heat Buildup
Saflex solar interlayer allows for the creation of laminated glass with a solar performance that is superior to previously available laminating systems. They are designed for use in combination with body-tinted glass and pyrolitic or hard coat Low E coatings to deliver a broad range of Visible Light Transmittance, while still providing safety, security and sound reduction benefits. Saflex solar interlayer is fabricated to absorb the near infrared portion of solar energy while allowing visible light to pass through the laminate. This interlayer is an ideal solution when designing in tropical or warm climates.
Reducing Thermal Stress
In laminated glass, the interlayer and glass both absorb solar radiation. Factors that accentuate a hot center/cold edge condition will tend to increase thermal stress. Excessive edge cover, installation procedures, internal and external shading and backup materials (e.g., spandrel) can also contribute to thermal stress. Good design and installation practices must be followed to reduce the risk of glass breakage from thermal stress.
Laminated glass made with Saflex interlayer absorbs solar radiation. As with monolithic heat-absorbing glass, if design conditions such as high solar radiation intensity or absorption increases thermal stress, heat strengthening the glass plies is a desirable option. Laminated heat-strengthened glass is ideal for spandrel and other applications where the fallout of glass after breakage is a safety and security concern.
Laminated Glazing Has Additional Benefits
In addition to solar benefits, Saflex interlayer provides all the other benefits inherent to laminated glass, including:
For more information on Saflex interlayer, contact us.
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