Energy efficiency is a major focus for modern building design, and windows are an important part of this. Innovative windows are able to produce their own power through solar cell technology, helping to reduce power costs and carbon footprint.
Other innovations in window technology include lightweight composites and acoustic insulation. These advances help to improve durability and lower maintenance and replacement costs.
Impact-Resistant Glass
Impact-resistant glass, also known as hurricane-safe glass, is the perfect solution for protecting a home from high levels of force, such as flying debris during a storm. It combines tempered safety glass with a tough inner layer of plastic. This type of glass is much stronger than traditional windowpanes, and it can withstand the pressure applied during a tornado or hurricane.
Laminated impact-resistant glass is constructed by placing an exceptionally strong polyvinyl butyral (PVB) membrane between two panes of insulating glass. This membrane catches the shattered pieces of glass and helps prevent them from flying off and injuring people or damaging property. Standard annealed windows break into sharp and dangerous shards when they shatter, while impact-resistant glass breaks into a spider web pattern without any sharp edges.
Not only does impact-resistant glass protect a home from violent weather, but it also deters burglars who would attempt to break into your home through your doors and windows. Its thick layered construction and tight heavy-duty frames make it nearly impenetrable to any burglar who tries to use a hard object, such as a hammer or bat, to break into your home.
Another feature that makes impact-resistant glass so appealing is its ability to flex under pressure. While normal annealed glass is prone to shattering when strained, impact-resistant glass can flex up to several inches before it begins to shatter.
Smart Glass
Whether in office spaces, commercial buildings or healthcare facilities, Smart Glass helps balance privacy with natural light and air conditioning savings. Its ability to instantly switch from transparent to opaque helps reduce solar heat gain and glare while maintaining clear views, lowering energy costs and minimizing the need for artificial lighting.
Known as dynamic glass, Smart Glass (also called switchable glass) is a high-tech material that can change its transparency or opacity in response to electric current, light intensity, temperature or other prompts. When activated by an automated system or a manual switch, it offers increased comfort and energy efficiency.
The most common type of switchable glass is electrochromic. Electrodes attached to a power supply generate a small voltage that changes the way the glass interacts with sunlight, shifting its tint from dark to light. However, this solution does not provide privacy and requires a power source to maintain its function.
Another alternative is thermochromic windows that change their translucence in response to the surrounding environment. They store heat at the sunniest times of the day and then release it when the temperatures drop, reducing energy costs. Unlike electrochromic windows, this solution does not require complex wiring or a separate power source.
Vacuum Insulated Glazing (VIG)
Vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) creates a vacuum layer between two panes of glass, significantly reducing heat transfer and improving insulation. VIG offers excellent thermal performance and design versatility, making it a preferred choice for modern and heritage architectural projects. Its minimal condensation risk and superior sound reduction properties also contribute to a healthier indoor environment. The technology can also be used in speciality applications such as museums and laboratories, where stringent environmental control is necessary to preserve delicate artefacts and sensitive experiments.
The vacuum in VIG reduces conductive and convective heat exchange between the glass panes, helping to achieve impressive centre-of-glass U-factors of up to R-4 to R-5. Its unique construction also makes it much lighter than standard double glazed windows and enables slimmer profiles, making it easier to incorporate into existing window frames for retrofit applications.
Research into better spacer materials with even lower thermal conductivity is ongoing to improve VIG energy efficiency and allow for thinner window profiles. Additionally, efforts are being made to eliminate the need for aluminium and other conductive framing components, which can compromise the assembly’s overall U-factor.
These innovations are paving the way for a more sustainable future. By staying informed on the latest developments in window technology and materials, homeowners and building professionals can make well-informed decisions that support an eco-friendly future.
Safety Glass
As technology continues to evolve, innovations are revolutionizing the windows of today and tomorrow. New materials provide enhanced protection from gunfire, explosions, forced entry, and other threats without compromising transparency or aesthetics.
These advancements are helping to make homes more resilient, safe, and energy efficient. Among the most popular innovations are double-paned energy-efficient windows, which offer greater insulation and lower heating and cooling costs thanks to an insulating cavity that can be filled with air or noble gases like argon or krypton.
Another innovation is tempered glass, which has been strengthened by subjecting it to a rapid temperature change. This process makes the glass up to five times stronger than traditional window panes and reduces its vulnerability to thermal stress and scratches. It also helps to prevent shattering, which can lead to injuries due to flying glass shards.
Other innovations include transparent polymer composites, interlayer films, and ceramic nanocomposites. These innovative materials significantly increase a window’s ballistic resistance and allow it to withstand high-velocity projectiles. Interlayer films, which are sandwiched between layers of glass, add to a window’s structural integrity and prevent it from shattering on impact. Ceramic particles and nanofibers improve the material’s ability to absorb energy from projectiles, further enhancing its ballistic resistance.