AFG Glass of Kingsport, Tenn., has announced that for the first time it is offering Comfort Ti-AC 40 -its premium solar control low-E coating-on a variety of tinted substrates.

By glazing the low-E coating on the second surface of a commercial insulating glass unit instead of the third surface, AFG is able to put the coating closer to the sun, resulting in enhanced solar protection and year-round energy efficiency for commercial buildings, according to company officials. Compared to a third-surface low-E coating, AFG's new second-surface Comfort Ti-AC 40 (on a green tinted substrate) reduces solar heat gain from 0.37 to 0.31, while the shading coefficient also improves, from 0.43 to 0.35.

"Faced with stringent energy codes, our customers are increasingly challenged to balance superior aesthetics with outstanding performance-and our newest tinted products represent a truly practical solution," said Marc Massa, vice president of sales for AFG Glass. "By combining AFG's most popular tinted glass products with the proven solar control of Comfort Ti-AC 40, we can now offer our customers the ultimate commercial glass solution."

To meet a spectrum of aesthetic and design needs, Comfort Ti-AC 40 is available on green, dark green, bronze and gray substrates.

Designed for maximum flexibility and efficiency, AFG's new low-E tinted products are also available with post-temperable coatings.

"We are committed to supplying premier solar control coatings to insulators, laminators and temperers across North America," said Massa. "This coating strategy puts AFG products into the marketplace faster, cutting lead times and ensuring that a greater number of architects and contractors will have access to the industry's leading glass solutions."

He added, "At AFG Glass, we've made a company-wide commitment to understanding the real-world needs of our customers-whether they are architects, contractors or window fabricators-and applying our glass knowledge to create practical new solutions that meet those needs. Our newest product line-low-E coatings on tinted substrates-represents the most recent result of that commitment."