Creating a beautifully comfortable home with glass · the right energy efficient performance glass...

Creating a beautifully comfortable home with glass

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WHAT MAkES A COMFORTABLE HOME?1

Welcome to the world of modern, high performance glass. You’re about to discover the potential of modern performance glass and how it can open up all kinds of wonderful possibilities. In the guide, we outline how performance glass works in a home and includes factors such as local climate and orientation. There’s a section on period and contemporary home styles too. We also offer suggestions on which glass products may be suitable. Whether you choose to read the guide in detail or simply go to the ‘AT A GLANCE’ sections, you’ll gain a good overview of the advantages of performance glass. By then you’ll be ready to talk to your architect or builder on the specific needs of your project. Enjoy the journey.

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WHAT MAkES A COMFORTABLE HOME? See comfort in a new light 2

Temperature lies at the heart of comfort 4

Selecting energy efficient building materials 6

HOW GLASS WORkS Let the light in 8

Summer cool 10

Winter warmth 12

ORIENTATION AND STYLE Design freedom with performance glass 14

Style and substance 16

CHOOSE THE RIGHT GLASS FOR YOuR HOME Performance glass selection 18

The window solutions for you 20

Checklist – things to look out for 22

4 steps to a more energy efficient home

2 | viridianglass.com

http://viridianglass.com

See comfort in a new light

Windows are a fundamental and uniquely powerful design element of a home

more than any other component, windows set the tone of your home by providing views, ventilation, daylight and a sense of spaciousness. they also have a critical role in your home’s comfort and energy consumption.

With the information provided in this guide, your new home or renovation will offer lower energy costs and a significant reduction in its impact on the environment.

Your home will be:

more comfortable

more rewarding and a healthier place to live

with an endless supply of free natural energy for lighting, heating and ventilation.

all courtesy of modern performance glass.

If you’re building a new home in brisbane your glazing requirements will be different to someone building a home in melbourne or auckland.

that’s why, to get the most out of modern performance glass in your new home, it’s an advantage to understand some of the basic principles of climate, temperature and modern glass technology.

We explain these concepts so you can make informed decisions about the energy efficient glazing needs for your home. For more detail and extra information visit our website at viridianglass.com or talk to your building professional, designer or window supplier.

The future of glass is here

advancements in glass technology have dramatically increased the energy benefits and comfort levels possible in your home. Glass made in the 1960s next to today’s modern performance glass is like comparing a transistor radio to an mP3 player. modern performance glass allows you to have large windows while delivering outstanding energy efficiency and comfort.

Glass technology has come such a long way, its given us the freedom to create beautiful, light filled living spacesthat are more comfortable and energy efficient.

“�We�didn’t�do�much�

research�into�windows�

for�our�project,�but�

afterwards�regretted�

the�fact�as�windows�

were�so�important�to�

the�end�result.”hazle and David, home-owners, templestowe.

“�The�recent�advances�in�glass�technology��

are�changing�the�way�we�design�and�build�

homes�and�I�find�that�exciting.”hamilton Wilson, Wilson architects.



As you know temperature is central to comfort – it’s very hard for us to feel truly comfortable when we’re too hot or too cold. We instinctively build our homes with this in mind, and we’ve all experienced what it’s like when it goes wrong: uncomfortable, damp, cold houses; top-floor additions that are unbearably hot and poorly ventilated; and draughty dark buildings that even on a summer’s day still feel like a dungeon.

We have a relatively narrow temperature range where we feel ‘comfortable’ in our homes. Yet even in the most temperate climates, the outside environment shows a far wider cycle of temperatures, from day to night and through the seasons. a poorly designed home can make these temperature cycles even more extreme, to the extent that it is more comfortable outside your home than within it!

so one of the critical issues in designing a comfortable home is to smooth out the temperature peaks and troughs of the natural environment to maintain a more consistent and acceptable interior temperature.

Temperature lies at the heart of comfort

AT A GLANCE

temperatures can vary dramatically from season to season and from day to night.

We’re only truly comfortable within a narrow temperature range.

a poorly insulated home that becomes too hot or too cold feels uncomfortable.

Good insulation (including windows) smooths out the temperature extremes.

heat migrates from a hot place to a cold place. We can’t change that. but we can slow it down with insulation. by slowing down the rate at which heat enters and leaves your home, we effectively ‘smooth out’ the outside temperature extremes.

central heating and air conditioning makes a home more comfortable but of course uses energy, costs money and creates greenhouse gases. better to keep a home at the right temperature through good design and choice of materials for the walls, ceilings, flooring, roofing and windows. Glass is the only building material that not only insulates us from temperature extremes, it can also control the passage of light and heat into and out of our homes.

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GLASS INSIGHT

As the cost of gas and

electricity continues to rise,

so too do the advantages

of modern performance

glass. This guide gives you

a head start in the process

of finding the ideal glass

solution that suits your

project and your budget.

Ordinary glass vs performance glass

Poorly designed windows can act as an ‘energy leak’ in an otherwise well insulated home. a typically well insulated building with ordinary clear single glazing loses up to 49%† of heat through windows in winter. the same windows allow up to 87%† of solar heat gain during summer. but it doesn’t have to be this way – the use of windows with performance glass can vastly improve these figures by:

Maximising the use of natural solar energy which enters your home as light and heat when it is desirable, but limiting it at times and in areas when it is not.

Reducing your dependency on artificial lighting by allowing more natural light into your home where and when it is required.

Reducing the amount of artificial heating energy that escapes to the atmosphere.

Maintaining cooler temperatures for longer by reducing unwanted heat entering your home.

The price of comfort

the energy we use for space heating and cooling of homes is significant, accounting for about 38%* of our total household energy use. as homes have become larger, so too have the costs of heating and cooling them. making a home energy efficient means improving the performance of lighting, heating and air conditioning as well as the other services that consume energy.

of equal importance, it means addressing all the ways that heat flows into and out of a home through the roof, walls and windows. and of course, the most energy-efficient light bulb is the one that doesn’t need to be switched on because the house makes optimal use of natural light.

as energy prices continue to climb, choosing the right energy efficient performance glass in your home becomes more important than ever before. It’s the difference between your windows being a positive design feature in a comfortable and beautiful home, or having them as an energy liability.

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next�10�years.source: mma report to federal treasury December 2008.

Selecting energy efficient building materials

AT A GLANCE

financial and environmental costs of heating and cooling are increasing dramatically.

a typically well insulated building with ordinary clear single glazing loses up to 49%† of heat through windows in winter.

the same windows allow up to 87%† of solar heat gain during summer.

Performance glass windows are an important part of a well designed, energy efficient home.

Raising the bar on energy efficiency

In april 2009 the council of australian Governments (coaG) announced changes to the forthcoming 2010 building regulations that will require new homes and major renovations to be built to a 6 star energy rating. It also agreed the introduction of ‘mandatory disclosure’ of a house’s energy rating, meaning that if you wish to sell or lease a property you will have to state its energy rating so that prospective buyers and tenants can better judge the property’s value.

as we’ve seen, glass has a critical role to play in lifting the energy rating of a dwelling, a point not lost on the building regulators themselves: “With most other building elements at practical limits of thermal performance, glazing is the remaining pathway to better ratings.”

australian building codes board, energy efficiency provisions Vol. 2, bca 2010, supporting commentary.

† source: aGGa, Performance figures are based on heat gain/heat loss through glass. Data is calculated using Nfrc 100 - 2001 environmental conditions and window 5.2 software from lawrence berkeley National laboratory (2006). further performance data for Viridian products can be found at viridianglass.com. * Your home technical manual, ed. 4, Department of the environment, Water, heritage and the arts.

2hoW Glass Works



Natural light, naturally better

Now that you have a feel for the nature and scale of the task, let’s look at how modern performance glass works to make a better home. Windows are the starting point for any consideration of natural light as they are the control system for entry of visible light into your home, helping to define and shape interiors as fresh and friendly.

The light you don’t want

however, not all visible light entering your home is good light. With daylight can come glare – uncomfortably bright light entering your home – directly from the sun or scattered off reflective surfaces. these conditions often arise with east and west facing windows, but also in any orientation where outside reflective surfaces face your windows, such as light coloured roofs, concrete or water.

there is also the light we can’t see, such as infrared light that we feel as radiant heat, and ultraviolet (UV) light which is one of the main contributors to the fading and discolouration of fabrics and the premature aging of household furnishings. It’s important to manage both these sources of energy entering your home and that’s where windows play a vital role.

We might seek to control the amount of light entering our homes by physically screening the amount of light entering through the windows using devices such as pergolas, curtains and even trees and shrubs. Unfortunately, these

approaches all require some level of on-going maintenance, and in the case of blinds and curtains, we need to remember to open and close them at the right times. And by their nature, all forms of physical barrier will tend to detract from the views and spaciousness that prompted the need for windows in the first place!

The Viridian solution

In many cases toned glass, such as the Viridian VFloat™ Toned range of glass, offers a better solution. Toned glass works in much the same way as sunglasses, by consistently reducing the total amount of UV, visible light and radiant heat, which can pass through it. However, it continues working at all times, not just when these factors present a problem. So the trade-off between desirable natural light and excessive UV, glare and radiant heat, should be balanced as a part of the overall design of the home.

In a perfect world, we’d have glass in our windows that admits visible light, but rejects a significant amount of the heat and UV. And this glass would be available in optically clear versions for those windows where we want to maximise the natural light in our homes, but also in tones for those windows susceptible to glare. That would be quite an extraordinary material. The good news is, this material is available now. It’s called Viridan ComfortPlus™ and we’ll talk about it later. But first, let’s look at two other important features of modern performance glass – solar heat gain and thermal conductivity.

AT A GLANCE

Natural light enhances living spaces and reduces reliance on artificial lighting.

Glare from some natural light can detract and make a room uncomfortable.

UV in natural light can discolour fabrics and furniture.

choosing the right performance glass lets you enjoy natural light while controlling glare and UV.

Let the light in

knowing what happens when light, heat, cold and glass come together will help you make the right choices.

essentially there are three main areas to consider:

letting the light in keeping cool in summer keeping warm in winter

“�Low�E�glass�is�the�single�most�significant�advance�

in�window�technology�in�the�last�30�years.”Gavan stray, Viridian – Glass coating manager, PhD (chemistry), b. app. sci. (chemistry & Physics), b. sci.(hons – chemistry).



so to select modern performance glazing that’s right for your needs, start by considering the size and number of windows in your home, where they’re located and what function they’re performing; consider too how the sun interacts with these windows as its position changes throughout the day and year. basically if a window ‘sees’ more sun it will be subject to more solar heat gain.

Glass that controls heat

managing solar heat gain through windows becomes particularly important in warmer climates. It’s likely to be the most significant factor in determining how frequently you use air conditioning. traditionally, simple toned glass has been used to control solar heat gain. but toned glass also reduces the amount of natural daylight entering your home.

to tip the balance more in favour of natural light, Viridian offers a range of solar control toned glass, specially tuned to admit more visible light while reducing solar heat gain by absorbing a relatively higher share of the sun’s heat.

Solar heat gain

The second important issue to consider when designing your home and selecting glass is solar heat gain. this is the amount of the sun’s radiant energy that hits a window, heating the interior surfaces of your home and the window itself to ultimately increase the temperature inside your home.

It’s like a car that’s parked in the sun. even when the outside air temperature is relatively cool, the car interior heats up rapidly as solar heat gain through the windows causes the inside to heat up.

because the sun’s position in the sky changes throughout the day, and from season to season, window orientation has a significant impact on solar heat gain. In cooler climates you’ll be looking for solar heat gain during winter to warm your home and reduce artificial heating. however, to reduce cooling costs in summer, you’ll want to minimise the amount of solar heat gain.

also, because toned glass absorbs much of the solar energy striking its surface, the glass itself can become hot. In the case of simple toned glass, around half of this heat will be re-radiated into your home. this can be reduced by introducing low-emissivity (low e) glass, providing even greater solar control performance.

this special coated glass acts as a ‘heat barrier’, reducing the amount of absorbed heat in the solar control glass that is permitted to enter the home. Viridian ComfortPlus™ incorporates solar control with low e glass to provide up to 41%* greater solar control than ordinary glass. for cooler climates, Viridian comfortPlus™ clear is designed to allow greater passive solar heating, while at the same time increasing the amount of valuable heat retained within your home by your windows.

AT A GLANCE

solar heat is generated when sunlight passes through a window and heats the surfaces and air inside a home.

Depending where you live, solar heat gain will generally be desirable during winter, but not in summer.

In warmer climates, controlling solar heat with modern performance glazing can reduce air conditioner use significantly.

today’s glass technology offers outstanding solar heat control in all climates.

Amazing Low E coated glass and what it does

Viridian low e glass has a microscopically thin yet durable coating which controls the flow of heat into and out of your windows to make your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Summer cool

*solar control performance is based on solar heat Gain coefficient (shGc) and insulation is based on U Value performance respectively. ordinary glass is based on 4mm clear float glass. Viridian comfortPlus is based on 6.38mm. all performance data is calculated using lbl window 5.2 software, Nfrc 100 - 2001 conditions have been used. further performance data for Viridian products can be found at viridianglass.com

GLASS INSIGHT

Direct sunlight on a square metre

of ordinary glass during summer

has the equivalent heat output of

a single bar radiator. Viridian�comfortPlusTM

Reduces�

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inside

Polymer�interlayer

MyTHbuSTER: Double glazing is not just for cold climates.Double glazing is a well-established

approach to improving the thermal insulation performance of windows and glazing. Though double glazing is most often associated with cooler climates where it offers outstanding winter comfort, it is also appropriate for warm environments

where it assists in keeping air conditioned spaces cooler for longer, cutting down on energy bills and improving comfort.

Thermal conductivity – the flow of heat through glass

When there’s a difference in temperature between the inside and outside of your home, you have heat flow. the greater the difference between the outside and inside temperature, the greater the heat flow, especially through windows using ordinary single glazing. In cool weather, valuable heat is lost to the outside, so your heating system will use more energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. equally, in hot conditions, air cooling systems need to be larger and work harder to combat undesired heat flowing into your home.

fortunately there are two readily available glazing technologies that dramatically improve the insulation performance of the window and improve its energy efficiency performance. low e glass and Insulating Glass Units (IGUs), or commonly referred to as double glazing, can be used individually, or combined to provide outstanding home insulation performance.

Viridian ComfortPlus™ is a single glazed low e glass, offering a great energy efficient option for most conventional single glazed window frames. It offers up to 39%* better insulation performance than ordinary single glazing.

Viridian double glazing

Double glazing works by introducing a second layer of glass to create a static ‘air gap’. the air gap forms a transparent insulating barrier between the interior of your home and the outdoors. the Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) is a factory-sealed unit which is assembled into a window in basically the same way as any other piece of glass. however, given the greater width and weight of IGUs, if you’re renovating and intend to keep your existing window frames, it is worth checking if your frames can accommodate IGUs.

Naturally, the best solution comes from a combination of both technologies such as Viridian ThermoTech E™ low e double glazing which offers up to a staggering 68%* better insulation than ordinary glass. IGUs also keep the inner pane of glass closer to room temperature, significantly reducing the occurrence of condensation on window glass and uncomfortable draughts from cold air currents common with using ordinary glass in your windows.

Viridian Low E glass

low e glass improves the insulation performance of glass. Its remarkable transparent and durable coating impedes the radiation of heat from the low e surface – essentially directing heat back towards its source. Whilst its insulation performance doesn’t quite match that of an insulating glass unit, low e glass does have the advantage of improving a window’s insulation performance in a single sheet of glass.

Winter warmth

AT A GLANCE

heat travels relatively easily through ordinary glass.

the greater the temperature difference (inside to outside), the greater the heat flow.

In winter, heat flows from the inside to the outside of your home.

In summer the heat flows from the outside towards the cool air inside your home.

two glazing technologies improve your windows’ insulation performance, low e glass and double glazing.

Viridian thermotech e™ double glazing with low e glass offers up to 68%* better insulation than ordinary glass.

“�I�thought�double�glazing�was�just�for�cold�places,�

I�never�realised�it�also�work s�in�hot�climates!”Gabrielle, home-owner, red hill.

*solar control performance is based on solar heat Gain coefficient (shGc) and insulation is based on U Value performance respectively. ordinary glass is based on 4mm clear float glass. Viridian comfortPlus is based on 6.38mm and Viridian thermotech e™ is based on a unit with 12mm airgap. all performance data is calculated using lbl window 5.2 software, Nfrc 100 - 2001 conditions have been used. further performance data for Viridian products can be found at viridianglass.com

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Now you’ve seen how performance glass works, let’s look at performance glazing and the design freedom it gives you to overcome climate and site limitations.



Getting oriented

Which direction your windows face is important. the advantage of a northerly aspect is well founded because it’s based on the principles of passive heating, which uses the sun’s free energy to naturally warm and light the home during winter. It simply means your home can be relatively easily designed to capture winter sun through large north-facing windows in winter (when the sun is at a lower angle in the sky), while minimising the heating caused by direct sun striking the windows during summer (when the sun is higher in the sky). Windows facing north receive twice the winter heating compared to those facing east or west. there’s little direct solar heating from the south during winter. In summer, windows facing north and south receive only half the summertime heat of east and west facing glazing (again, due to the steeper angle of the sun’s path through the sky in summer).

of course, we don’t always have complete control over the orientation of our home. site limitations, including the existing home design, the direction of the best views, or the presence of a neighbouring building blocking out sun or daylight will often require a compromise. fortunately, performance glass technology reduces the need to compromise and offers greater design flexibility than ever before.

AT A GLANCE

Where you live helps to determine your window needs.

In cooler regions, consider choosing glazing that reduces heat loss and promotes solar heat gain (in winter).

In warmer regions, consider choosing glazing that reduces heat gain and keeps air conditioned air cool.

North facing rooms benefit from natural light and free, passive heating (in winter).

Performance glazing allows greater design flexibility to overcome climate and site limitations.

Design freedom with performance glass

North, south or somewhere in between?

Where you live will largely determine the main task your windows need to perform. by understanding your heating and cooling needs, you can determine the overall priorities in your choice of window glazing. for example, in melbourne around 75% of energy is used to heat homes so the emphasis is placed on glazing that reduces heat loss and maximises desirable solar heat gain from the sun in winter. In brisbane around 90% of energy is used for cooling homes, so the emphasis is placed on reducing heat gain while keeping the air conditioned air cool. If the house remains relatively well sealed, double glazing would also be considered.

In sydney, glazing is selected to minimise heat flow through the glass while balancing between summer peaks and winter lows. by choosing performance glazing you can select from a range of products that are tuned to our varied and demanding climates, providing greater comfort and energy efficiency.

thredbo

hobart

canberra

melbourne

adelaide

sydney

Perth

brisbane

alice springs

Darwin100806040200

cooling heating

CoMpARATIvE ENERGy uSAGE

Percentage of energy used by major australian cities for heating and cooling in a north facing house glazed in clear glass – building code of australia.

by using performance glazing, our clients are able to enjoy views throughout the year that would otherwise have been unachievable.

matt herbert, herbert & howes Design“

Windows have a key role to play in the visual appearance and appeal of a home. Glass is a highly flexible design element that brings out the best in all styles of home, from contemporary to classic, the newly built or renovated. by using glass creatively, you can make the unexceptional quite extraordinary.

Add value to your home by investing in glass

a report released by federal environment minister Peter Garrett and territory environment minister simon corbell finds a positive statistical relationship between the energy efficiency rating of a house and its sale price. this study suggested that each 0.5 star increase in energy efficiency was associated with a more than 1% increase in value at sale. that is, a house at the median price of around $360,000 would attract around $4,500 more at sale for each 0.5 star it achieved above the median rating.

source: DeWha and abs report – energy efficiency rating and house Prices in the act, December 2008.

“�What�started�out�as�an�old,�dark�

Edwardian�Bungalow,�has�become�

a�light�filled�family�home�with�

great�views�of�the�back�garden.”Gary catt, architect.



AT A GLANCE

brighten up light deficient older houses while remaining sympathetic to the period style.

In modern contemporary homes, glass becomes a key element in structure and design.

correctly selected performance glass allows you to use large areas of glass in all orientations and still deliver an energy efficient outcome.

evidence indicates houses built with greater energy efficiency performance benefit from higher retained values.

Style and substance

Classically styled homes

classically styled homes reflect the needs of the age in which they were built. typified by pitched roofs with eaves and often featuring traditional residential claddings like bricks, weatherboards and plaster, these homes have beautiful features just waiting to be enhanced. but they also frequently suffer from dark spaces, poor insulation, pokey rooms and a failure to work with their natural surroundings. light is the starting point and primary building block for all architecture and glass is the main medium for mastering light – a home with good natural light exudes a sense of optimism and well being.

Increasingly, owners of classically styled homes are incorporating modern architectural glass features that better meet today’s needs and lifestyle.

Through the use of performance glass you can maintain the style elements that define your home, while creating a functional and energy efficient living space that’s in touch with the realities of 21st century living.

today, achieving a higher level of energy efficiency and comfort need not involve a major renovation. It may be as simple as upgrading your glass – through replacing the glazing, adapting existing window frames or installing new windows.

Contemporary homes

typically, modern contemporary home design uses large areas of glass. With today’s performance glass, home designers are confident in their use of light and views. even in built-up urban areas, light can be the single most abundant natural element available, which you can harness through the clever use of internal light wells, glass partitions or courtyards. In contemporary homes, the use of glass extends beyond predictable arrangements of window frames, and glass becomes a key element of structure and design in its own right, collaborating with a diverse range of contemporary building materials and systems. all of this seeks to reflect a design that is better connected with its environment, embracing light and the home’s natural context, rather than fighting against it.

Contemporary homes with generous glazing areas demand the use of energy efficient performance glazing in bringing together inspired design with sustainable building practice, to create fresh and open living spaces.

energy efficienct building products such as performance glass, can be considered less of a cost and more of an investment. Windows have a big influence on the energy efficiency rating of your home, which may affect its future value and attractiveness to potential buyers. You’ll also enjoy the comfort and energy savings throughout your home ownership. choosing the right energy efficient glass today will prevent your windows becoming an energy and comfort liability in the future.

Viridian offers a complete range of energy efficient performance glass products for all types of residential applications.

choose the rIGht Glass for YoUr home4

Viridian VFloat™ Toned and Viridian VFloat™ Supertoned glass – the first step in solar control

Viridian VFloat™ Toned and Viridian VFloat™ Supertoned glass is the first step in solar control for hotter climates or demanding window orientations, offering brilliant clarity while reducing glare. Whilst providing greater solar control performance, it offers no improvement over the insulating properties of ordinary glass for cooler climates. Produced with colour right through the glass, the tone influences not only the appearance but also its solar control performance. Viridian Vfloat supertoned glass provides greater solar control performance than Vfloat toned, whilst in many cases still maintaining good daylight transmission.

solar control reduces heat entering through windows

colour right through the glass

available in a range of tones

Glare reduction

available in:

Viridian VFloat™ Toned – Green, Grey and bronze

Viridian VFloat™ Supertoned – superGreen™, superblue™ and superGrey™

comfortPlus NeutralcomfortPlus Green

comfortPlus Grey



solar control performance is based on solar heat Gain coefficient (shGc) and insulation is based on U Value performance respectively. ordinary glass is based on 4mm clear float glass. 1 Viridian comfortPlus™ is based on 6.38mm, 2 Viridian thermotech e™ and Viridian thermotech are based on a unit with 12mm airgap, 3 toned glass is based on 6mm Viridian Vfloat Grey™, 4 supertoned glass is based on 6mm Viridian Vfloat superGrey™.

– Where a category includes multiple colours and grades (e.g. comfortPlus Green/Grey/Neutral), performance will differ by product. the performance indicated in the table is that of the highest performing product in that category for that characteristic. see the Viridian website for detailed performance data for each product.

– Not all products will be appropriate for all applications, and some may require special assessment or processing in certain environments.

– Viridian recommends that any glass product selections should be viewed in application; always consult your window provider or glazier for advice on specific designs and applications. † other products and options that are not described in this brochure are available and may be more suitable for your needs.

– all performance data is calculated using lbl window 5.2 software, Nfrc 100 – 2001 conditions have been used. for further glass performance data for Viridian products visit viridianglass.com

Performance glass selection

Viridian ComfortPlus™ – the performance glass for all seasons

Viridian ComfortPlus™ is a laminated single glazed low e glass, featuring the latest in glass technology to help provide year round comfort. australia’s leading choice in single glazed energy efficient glass offers not only the solar control advantages of toned glass, but is enhanced by the addition of a low e coating to provide up to 39%1 better insulation than ordinary glass. Designed for cooler climates comfortPlus clear offers a reduction in solar control performance compared to comfortPlus Green, Grey and Neutral to assist passive solar heat gain. because it’s single glazed it can fit in most residential window frames and comes as a Grade a safety glass. Where condensation may be experienced we recommend Viridian ThermoTech™.

all seasons comfort

Grade a safety glass for peace of mind

Insulation and choice of solar control performance

reduces fading by blocking 99% of UV penetration

available in:

clear Neutral

Green Grey

Viridian ThermoTech™ double glazing – the ultimate in glass choice

Viridian thermotech has greater insulating performance than any of the single glazed options, with up to a 54%2 improvement in insulation over ordinary single glazing. featuring two pieces of glass separated by a hermetically sealed air or argon gas filled gap. Viridian ThermoTech E™ featuring low e glass offers even greater performance with up to 30%2 better insulation than an equivalent insulated glass unit using ordinary glass. Viridian thermotech gives you the freedom to tune its performance for your solar control and insulation needs, by choosing different glass combinations and air gaps. for instance, a solar control toned glass can be added in the outer pane for even greater performance in hot sunny climates and in demanding orientations.

superior insulation performance

Ultimate flexibility and choice in glass options

suitable for hot and cold climates

Greatly reduces occurrence of condensation and thermal draughts near the window

Sanctuary

You can have energy efficient performance windows whilst reducing noise, providing protection from intruders, creating shelter from extreme weather, or even including glass that cleans itself. Viridian energy efficient glass options allow you to combine these benefits and create the perfect windows for your home. to learn more about these additional benefits read the Viridian ‘sanctuary’ guide at viridianglass.com

comfortPlus GreycomfortPlus clear

SELECTIoN TAbLE Attributes†

Glare Reduction

Solar Heat Reduction

Insulation

ordinary Glass 4mm – 6mm

Viridian Vfloat – toned

4mm – 6mm

toned offers up to 32%3 greater solar heat reduction than ordinary glass

Viridian Vfloat – supertoned

supertoned offers up to 59%4 greater solar heat reduction than ordinary glass

Viridian comfortPlus – clear

6.38mm Grade a safety glass

Up to 39%1 better insulation than ordinary glass

Viridian comfortPlus – Green / Grey / Neutral

Green & Grey offers up to 41%1, Neutral up to 40%1 greater solar heat reduction than ordinary glass

Viridian thermotech – clear Unit thickness

12mm – 58mm

Viridian thermotech – toned & supertoned


Viridian thermotech e – clear Unit thickness

12mm – 58mm

Viridian thermotech e – toned & supertoned


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lower�solar�heat�

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High�solar�heat�reduction�

and�superior�insulation�

for�outstanding�comfort�

in�hot�climates�or�

demanding�orientations

Polymer Interlayer

Low E coating

Air gap

Low E

coating

Air gap

Product selection

Use this selection table to compare the bands of performance of different glass configurations; it is a guide only and does not seek to show absolute performance data.

“�We’ve�now�got�these�lovely�

big�windows�that�feels�as�

if�the�garden�comes�right�

into�the�house...�at�the�

same�time�our�energy�bills�

have�never�been�lower.”mark, renovator, manly, New south Wales.20 | viridianglass.com


Now you have an idea of which performance glass is right for your home, let’s look at window frames. there are many styles available, from sleek aluminium to timeless timber frames or composite constructions. You’ll need to consider the window’s overall energy performance, it’s durability and it’s ability to provide ventilation. finally, it needs to be properly installed.

Window frames are most commonly made of aluminium, timber, vinyl (uPVc) or a combination of these materials. the frame material, along with the design of the frame, the nature of its construction, its installation in the building, and its through-life maintenance will all influence the overall performance of the window, and its impact on the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. It is worth considering all of these factors when selecting your windows – today’s ‘cheaper option’ can generate many years of underperformance, and may ultimately devalue your home. It’s worth affording the time and the budget to getting the fundamentals right.

What to look for in windows

the australian Window association (aWa) represents window manufacturers and suppliers to the industry in australia. Its members’ products are tested and independently third party accredited to ensure compliance to australian standards. the aWa operates the Window energy rating scheme (Wers). Wers rated residential windows have star ratings and percentage improvements to help give an easy comparison of windows. rated windows and skylights display the Wers logo, similar to that shown below. Wers ranks the window in terms of its annual energy impact on a house. the energy loads are the amount of annual (heating) energy that must be added to a house, and the amount of annual (cooling) energy that must be removed, to keep the house within a comfortable temperature range. this generates star ratings for cooling (summer and solar control performance) and heating (winter performance).

Visit www.wers.net for more information and the certified products directory of window manufacturers.

AT A GLANCE

look for the australian Window association Window energy rating scheme (Wers).

Wers is a star rating system that makes comparing windows easier.

look closely at energy performance, durability and ventilation abilities.

ensure the window is properly installed, with no gaps.

Visit www.wers.net

Now, select your windows with absolute clarity

by now you’ll see how brilliantly modern performance glass insulates, manages heat, provides daylight and can make your home comfortable all year round. It’s likely that your glazing needs will be met by a combination of different glass products and your architect, builder or window specialist can help you arrive at the right solution. once you’ve made the selection, it’s important to ensure that the glass you have chosen is the glass that’s actually installed in your home. It’s always a good idea to identify the Viridian glass type by name in your plans. Documenting it and following it through to installation will avoid inappropriate substitutes being used. for more information, visit viridianglass.com or speak to your window supplier.

To find a window supplier who can help you, refer to our locator tool at viridianglass.com

The window solutions for you

“�We�started�with�wanting�

to�become�more�energy�

efficient�and�ended�up�

with�a�truly�comfortable�

family�home.”Natasha, renovator, surrey hills.



1 2 3 4 Getting the fundamentals right at design stage:

to get the most out of your home’s potential and to decide your specific glazing needs, involve your building designer, architect, builder or window supplier early in the process.

remember to use your knowledge of performance glass and how it provides greater design flexibility to overcome site deficiencies – such as orientation, reflective surfaces, shadowing and overlooking by neighbouring property etc.

to get a good light balance, use windows from several directions.

Build your lighting and climate control needs around your performance windows:

With the design and selection of high performance glass, can you reduce the size of the mechanical heating and cooling units?

Given the window sizes and their positioning, what electrical lighting options exist? can you reduce the number and type of interior lights, external lighting and feature lighting?

Do the types of windows and doors specified allow you to maximise natural ventilation, access to outdoor living areas and the ability to ‘partition’ air conditioned or heated spaces?

Finding the right product for the right application:

Do east and west-facing or glare-exposed windows feature toned and low e solar control glass?

for cooler climates to allow passive solar heating in winter to naturally warm your home, consider using appropriate summer shading in combination with Viridian ThermoTech E™ – clear on northern orientations for superior insulation and less solar heat reduction.

remember, Viridian ThermoTech™ double glazing isn’t just for cold climates. air conditioning is an energy intensive process – any reduction in the load of your air conditioner will have a positive impact on your energy bills.

have a look at the range of other glass performance features that can be utilised in each area of your home – security, noise reduction, self cleaning (especially for inaccessible glazed areas) and privacy screening.

Double glazed units performance can be further enhanced by specifying ‘warm edge’ spacers and argon gas fill. talk to your window supplier for details.

Viridian recommends that any glass product selections should be viewed in application; always consult your window provider or glazier for advice on specific designs and applications.

Make sure you get exactly what you paid for:

make sure your glass selection is clearly indicated by name on specification drawings and your window schedule. even apparently similar products from different manufacturers may not offer the same performance levels. Inadequate specification can lead to inappropriate products being used that don’t meet intended performance or may fail regulatory requirements.

ensure windows are installed as per manufacturer’s instructions with required weather sealing to combat air leakage and ensure good operation.

look for the Wers energy rating and testing system for windows.

check that your glass selection has been installed in the windows and ask for evidence from your builder or window installer – this will be important not only for your peace of mind, but also for valuing your home at future resale.

Checklist – things to look out for

You may have noticed our little bird – he’s a sandpiper

he’s a symbol of freedom and the natural environment. the freedom to design with glass to create the extraordinary. It also reminds us of the important role glass has to play in creating a more energy efficient built environment, one that is kinder on the environment. and, of course, every piece of glass that has ever existed has originally been sand. so he’s there to remind us, every day, of our reliance on the natural environment that surrounds us.

sandpipers fly. they are the essence of freedom – they show us that used imaginatively, developed innovatively – glass means freedom for its users. Imagine a world without glass and you imagine a world that would be infinitely duller, more restricted, less pleasant, less liveable. We’d like to think that the sandpiper will inspire you to use glass to its full potential, a remarkable and unique product that allows the passage of natural light and controls the movement of heat in and out of your home. for more inspiration visit viridianglass.com/inspiration

Interiors and Design Applications

Natural Light Internal glass walls and screens Screens and partitions Internal glass doors

Luxury Surfaces Splashbacks and mirrors Wardrobe doors Feature walls and design inlays

Clear Defined Spaces Shower screens and enclosures Pool fences Balustrades Stairs and flooring

To learn more about how Viridian glass can enhance your living space talk to your building professional, designer, window supplier or visit viridianglass.com

This Energy Efficient guide is designed to help you understand the range of performance glass available to help reduce your energy consumption and increase the comfort of your home

Viridian™ New World GlassViridian is the largest manufacturer and processor of glass in Australia and New Zealand. Created in 2008 by CSR, it’s the union of two progressive and innovative glass companies: Pilkington Australia New Zealand and DMS Glass. We have a proud heritage of serving Australia and New Zealand for over 125 years and our team of over 1500 people includes leading material specialists. Our glass manufacturing facilities are amongst the world’s most advanced. We are the first manufacturer to sign a Sustainability Covenant – a voluntary agreement between Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, Sustainability Victoria, the Australian Industry Group and Viridian, to work together to protect the environment and to contribute to a more sustainable Victoria and Australia. Our network of processing facilities across Australia and New Zealand is the most extensive and well-equipped in the market. All of this is focused on one aim – delivering state of the art glass solutions to our customers to help them use glass in extraordinary ways.

Viridian is a part of CSR, the name behind Australia’s leading building products brands. All working together to provide comfortable and energy efficient living environments. By choosing products such as Viridian™ glass, Bradford™ insulation, Gyprock™ plasterboard and Edmonds™ ventilation you can be sure of a comfortable and energy efficient home and the peace of mind that over 150 years of CSR experience brings.

Category guides

Energy Efficiency Double glazing Coated glass (Low E glass) Solar control toned glass

Sanctuary Safety glass for peace of mind Noise reducing windows Laminated security glass windows Bushfire resistant windows Storm resistant windows Privacy screening Self cleaning glass

Copyright of CSR Building Products Limited trading as Viridian. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior consent of Viridian. Viridian has taken all reasonable care in preparing this document and, at the time of printing, warrants the accuracy of the information contained in it. Please ensure that you confirm the information in this brochure is correct at the time of your purchase and that the products you select are right for your home. The images in this brochure are provided as illustrations only. You should ensure your selection and installation of glass is compliant with AS1288 ‘Glass in Buildings – Selection and Installation’ or other applicable standards. For Viridian disclaimer and warranty details please visit our website viridianglass.com™Trademarks of CSR Building Products Limited. SuperGrey™ is a trademark of Pilkington Group Limited. 11/09 Disegno VIR1865-2. Acknowledgements: The Johnstone House by Lippmann Associates, photography courtesy of Peter Hyatt, hyatt.net.au Thorpe House by Pete Bossley, photography courtesy of Patrick Reynolds


Creating a beautifully comfortable home with glass · the right energy efficient performance glass...

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