GANA Conference Attendees Hear About Trends in Glass
April 9, 2009

While the Glass Association of North America's (GANA) Glass Fabrication and Glazing Education Conference, which took place in Cincinnati earlier this week, is aimed towards glass professionals with five or fewer years of experience in the industry, several presentations on product trends provided fresh material for all attendees.

Among the "Changing Trends in Glass Uses" that Ron McCann of Viracon addressed during his presentation was that of larger than ever sizes of glass. In conjunction with that, comes thicker glass and a move to low-iron, McCann pointed out. As lites become larger in area, an increase in thickness is necessary to prevent bending. With thicker glass may come a deepening of the green tint caused by iron content in typical clear glass, leading to further requests for low-iron glass.

In addition to bigger, heavier glass, McCann says he's seeing glass being specified for multiple applications. For example, you might find on your next job a request for a high-performance coating on a glass that also must be impact-resistant and fabricated into a thermally efficient insulating glass (IG) unit to boot.

Mike Burk of Edgetech IG agreed that multifunctional windows are among the latest trend during his seminar on the "Future of IG Technology."

According to Burk, IG units are no longer simply two lites of glass with a spacer system, sealants and desiccants. For example, he passed around a sample unit with a "non-gas air space fill." The small sample was filled with a silica-based aerogel that provides increased thermal performance, a reduction in sound transmission and high daylight transmission for areas requiring increased daylight and glare protection.

Burk also described the relatively new process of vacuum glazing, where two layers of glass are sealed with evacuated volume to create a product with a narrow overall unit thickness and R values between R12 and R13. For this example Burk noted that he wasn't able to get his hands on a sample, adding about these new products in general, "We hear that they're out there, but we have to see that they're actualized - and that they work."

McCann also addressed the growing demand for energy-efficient glass as a trend for the industry. As he pointed out, 40 to 50 percent of total electric costs in commercial buildings are simply for electric lighting and the power to remove heat coming into a building. New generations of glass coatings will further help designers let light in while keeping heat out.

While double silver low-E coatings are popular now, McCann says, he predicts that triple silver coatings will become more prevalent.

Chris McMahon of Technoform also touched on this trend with his presentation on "Improving Building Performance Through Fenestration."

Regarding sustainable design he noted that, in addition to the simple fact that appropriate coating and thermally efficient systems can reduce energy costs, fenestration systems can contribute to the regional sourcing of materials and recycled content.

As McMahon pointed out, energy savings can be made now using technology available today. Going from a single lite of glass in a non-thermal system to thermal break frames using struts and high performing, hybrid warm-edge IG spacer can save .75 quads of energy annually. Additional improvements, including low-E and spectral coatings, can add to the efficiency.

When it comes to applying these trends into practice, McCann noted, "The key is figuring out what the drivers are for your clients." Knowing what needs your client is trying to meet can help you as the supplier or installer steer them toward those "trendy" new products that are the most appropriate solution for their project.

Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK HERE to subscribe to USGlass magazine.