Multifunctional glass in plastic windows: what is it?

Natural lighting of apartments: panoramic windows, fully glazed building facades - these are the trends in the development of modern architecture. Features such as energy efficiency and solar protection are important to create a comfortable environment and save on utility bills.

Glass structure

The spraying is applied crosswise, forming five separate layers, different in purpose and composition:

The degree of specularity, surface shade, and light transmittance depend on the first and last layers. The layers are formed from oxides and nitrides;
in the middle there is a functional layer of silver and chromium that reflects thermal waves;

on both sides the functional spraying is covered from chemical and mechanical influence by protective layers. They are also involved in the absorption and reflection of infrared radiation.

For additional protection, the coated side of the glass is placed inside the glass unit. Its tightness prevents chemical destruction of the deposited metal films.

Multifunctional glass is included in all glass configurations, even single-chamber ones. Increased efficiency allows you to use less glass: the overall weight of the structure is reduced, and hinges and fittings last longer.

Heat saving

Preserving room heat in winter is the main task in the long winter in the northern hemisphere. The heat is largely lost in the form of infrared radiation passing through the transparent glass unit.

Infrared radiation is also called “thermal radiation” because infrared radiation from heated objects is perceived by the human skin as a sensation of heat. In this case, the wavelengths emitted by the body depend on the heating temperature: the higher the temperature, the shorter the wavelength and the higher the radiation intensity.

How does multifunctional glass work?

Metal spraying serves as a thermal mirror: it reflects thermal radiation, transmitting light waves. Thanks to this, the heat generated by heating devices is retained in the room and heating from the sun's rays is reduced.

Expert opinion

Anton Tsugunov

Construction expert. Entrepreneur. 17 years of experience. More than 100 completed objects.

Multifunctional glass reflects up to 68% of the thermal energy of the sun's rays, and in winter 78% of internal heat is retained. In winter you save on heating, and in summer you save on air conditioning. At the same time, the room is bright: the light transmittance is 66%.

Types of low-emission double-glazed windows

Energy-saving structures are produced using different coatings and their application technologies:

K-glass . It is obtained by pyrolysis - applying indium and tin oxides (InSnO2) to hot glass. As it cools, the glass bonds firmly with the metal film. This coating is resistant to mechanical damage and does not require special storage and transportation conditions. The coating on K-glass is called “hard”. The use of this method for producing low-emissivity glass was the first in this direction. Double-glazed windows with such glass reduce heat loss in winter by 30%.
I-glass . It is obtained by plasma spraying in a vacuum of two or three layers of silver dielectric and one layer of titanium oxide, which serves as protection. This coating is called “soft”, it is easily damaged and enters into chemical reactions, therefore the coating of i-glass is always facing the inside of the product, and the storage and transportation of such glass before assembly and sealing of the glass unit requires a vacuum environment. The main advantage of low-emissivity i-glass is its ability to reflect up to 90% of heat.

The performance characteristics of these coatings vary. K-glass is inferior to i-glass in its ability to reflect thermal radiation and retain heat indoors. But the former is more resistant to wear. If the product is damaged and depressurized, the silver coating oxidizes under the influence of air and loses its properties.

Important! Rainbow stains on the surface of energy-saving glass are a sign of a manufacturing defect or depressurization of the glass unit.

There is almost no condensation on a glass unit with a low-emissivity coating, since the surface temperature of the inner glass is always close to room temperature. The appearance of moisture is possible only at high humidity and low air temperature in the room.

Application of an energy-saving coating has almost no effect on light transmission. His presence is outwardly invisible. But still, i-glass transmits a little more light than K-glass.

In an energy-saving version, both single-chamber and double-chamber double-glazed windows are produced. For a temperate climate, a two-glass design is sufficient; in regions with harsh winters, it is recommended to install three-glass windows.

Types of energy-saving glass

These are glasses with a transparent metal film on the surface, consisting of metal oxides. It serves as a kind of “mirror” that reflects infrared heat waves. Three types of such coating are available:

Hard or K-glass. They are used in double-glazed windows, as well as single glazing. The metal coating is applied by pyrolysis at the manufacturing stage. In terms of heat-saving characteristics, it is inferior to other types; it is used mainly for glazing of offices, industrial and administrative buildings.

I-glasses with a soft coating are used exclusively in double-glazed windows. Their tightness is protected from destruction by a layer of silver and a protective film of titanium oxide. An inert gas, most often argon, pumped inside the glass unit increases the thermal insulation properties of the structure.
Multifunctional or iM glasses. This type with a soft coating differs in the number of metal films applied: there are at least five of them versus two for regular i-glass. Accordingly, the characteristics of the material are improved: thermal insulation, as well as operational properties.

Thermal frame

Budget MFs use an aluminum spacer frame, as in other types of window structures. More expensive models are equipped with a thermal frame , which further improves the thermal insulation properties of the product due to its special design:

the frame is made of polypropylene with a low degree of thermal conductivity;
the top is covered with resistant steel foil, which has high adhesion and thermal resistance;
the inside is filled with an absorbent to collect moisture inside the glass unit;

Due to this design, the heat-insulating properties in the area of contact between the glass unit and the profile are increased. As a result, the temperature on the surface of the window from the inside increases noticeably (according to research results from +2.6 C to + 7.7 C at an outside temperature of -23 C ), and the likelihood of condensation formation is significantly reduced.

Comparison of a conventional double-glazed window and a double-glazed window with a Warm frame

The thermal frame also improves the sound insulation properties of the glass unit.

The difference between i-glass and multifunctional: is it worth overpaying?

The difference lies in the number of layers and the functions they perform:

The main task of i-glass is thermal insulation, while the light transmission coefficient is quite high. The multifunctional coating also acts as sun protection. Moreover, the material has not only a darkening, but also a mirror effect.
Multifunctional glass, unlike its counterpart with a soft coating, is more durable and resistant to mechanical stress. Less “capricious” in processing and operation: it is hardened and bent. This allows us to produce frames of the desired configuration.
The number of layers increases the thermal insulation characteristics of the material: protective layers also participate in the reflection of infrared radiation. Therefore, all other parameters being equal, multifunctional glass retains heat better than its “i-brother”.
A wide range of surface colors and the ability to laminate it.

Thus, the difference in price is more than compensated by the superiority of the multilayer coating in comfort, durability and ease of use.

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When and how should you choose MF?

Experts recommend installing MF in cases where they want to improve the indoor microclimate not only in winter, but also in summer.
The products are effective in regions with continental and sharply continental climates, which are characterized by cold winters and hot summers. The improved energy-saving properties of MF are especially noticeable in buildings with a large glass area. Immediately after installation, the microclimate is significantly improved and heating, ventilation and air conditioning costs are reduced. We should also not forget that the microclimate in the room is influenced by the material of the building walls. The savings promised by the manufacturer can be seen by installing MF in brick buildings.

Multifunctional double-glazed window with interlocking bars

In multi-storey panel buildings, where the walls themselves heat up in the heat, it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely abandon air conditioning. In this case, to preserve heat in winter, it is enough to install energy-saving structures, which are a little cheaper.

Like any metal-plastic windows, MF will be ineffective when installed in rooms with uninsulated walls, as well as if the installation is poor-quality

Before investing in glazing, care must be taken to ensure proper repairs and only skilled workers are used to install glazing systems

Let's take a closer look at the issue of radiation and the transmission of radiation by glass in order to understand the principle of operation and the difference between energy-saving glasses and multifunctional ones.

We all remember from our physics course that the sun emits, in addition to visible light, radiation that is not visible to our eyes, but carries energy.

Ultraviolet radiation is the radiation that allows us to sunbathe outside, but it carries little thermal energy, only about 2%. It is UV rays that cause fading and burnout of the surface of wallpaper, paint and other decorative elements of the room. So, a single-chamber double-glazed window in combination with Clima Guard (energy-saving) glass transmits 35% of UV radiation, and Clima Guard Solar (multifunctional) – 25%. These are very good indicators!
Visible light is light that we can see. And it already carries most of the thermal energy, about 48-49%. You can reduce the light transmission of glass, thereby reducing the amount of heat that will eventually enter the room. But at the same time, we need to take care of additional lighting, and this is a cost. Accordingly, we need to preserve visible light as much as possible.
Infrared radiation is a wave that also carries a lot of thermal energy, almost on par with visible light, about 49-50%. But this radiation is not visible to the human eye. Accordingly, it is from such waves that we need to protect ourselves so that there is no excessive heating of the room inside. Radiation can be either in the long-wave range or in the short-wave range. Short waves easily penetrate through ordinary glass and energy-saving glass (i-glass only prevents long-wave radiation). Short infrared radiation heats objects and surfaces of the room, after which already heated objects emit heat, but in the long-wave range!

Thanks to a special coating, Clima Guard Solar glass protects us from short-wave infrared radiation and protects us from overheating in the summer, and in winter it prevents heat from heating devices from escaping outside, reflecting long-wave infrared radiation back into the room.

Therefore, in rooms whose windows face the sunny side and are actively exposed to solar radiation, we strongly recommend installing multifunctional glass in a double-glazed window.

Manufacturers of double-glazed windows have made ordinary glass sheet uncompetitive not only by using several pieces of glass in one sealed package, but also by using high technologies. The answer to the question: multifunctional double-glazed windows - what is it, is associated precisely with the use of the latest scientific developments and high-tech technical processes in their manufacture.

Due to complex production technology and expensive materials, multifunctional (MF) glass costs more than its counterparts, but its installation in many cases is more profitable in terms of energy saving and convenience. To determine when it is more effective to use a multifunctional double-glazed window, it is useful to study its capabilities and technical characteristics, and find out the difference in comparison with other modifications.

MF double-glazed windows have sun-protection and heat-saving properties

Difference between generations of multifunctional glasses

Since its inception, multifunctional coating has been continuously improved. The second generation of this material with double silver plating has already appeared on the market. In this case, the layers are applied crosswise, which increases the strength and durability of the coating. Other characteristics have also improved:

The heat transfer coefficient decreased from 1.1-1.3 W˟m2/K to 1.0.
Light transmission has improved from 66 to 75%, which is close to the 88% of conventional glass.
Specularity decreased from 26 to 13%.

Ability to transmit solar heat

The main highlight of multifunctional glass is its sun protection properties. Incredibly, an air conditioner running in summer consumes twice as much electricity as is spent heating the room in winter!

The level of sun protection is characterized by the SF indicator - the percentage of transmitted solar energy. The lower this indicator, the higher the level of sun protection.

Sputtered silver reflects up to 68% of the thermal energy of the sun's rays falling on it. The effect is comparable to lowered blinds or tightly closed curtains. But at the same time, the natural lighting of the room does not suffer, which is important for people and indoor plants.

To maintain the optimal temperature, it is enough to ventilate the room at night and close the windows tightly in the late morning, before the heat sets in. The coolness will remain in the room for the whole day. People and plants behind multifunctional glass are reliably protected from ultraviolet radiation; furniture and interior items will not fade under its influence.

Benefits of energy-saving windows

Rice. 3. how energy-saving windows work

“Hot” products are quite expensive. Therefore, when the client is faced with the question of choosing products, preference is often given to standard varieties. They look completely identical in appearance, but clients themselves do not always understand what the difference is between a cheap and expensive item.

Thermal insulation

Rice. 4. thermal insulation indicators of different types of windows

The main advantage of improved windows is their reflective ability. Regular glass heats up and cools down quickly. Because of this, in winter, when heating systems operate at full capacity, part of the heat is used to heat the street. That is, resources are wasted. The special coating minimizes the radiation of heat into the external environment, thereby maintaining the optimally high temperature at home. Under such conditions, it is easier to maintain a comfortable temperature, and the batteries do not have to work at full capacity.

In summer, the room will be protected from overheating. Although sunlight will penetrate into the apartment, most of the heat will be reflected to the outside environment. Such a device does not guarantee that the apartment will be cooler than outside, but the room will heat up much more slowly in hot weather.

A light weight

Rice. 5. differences between double-glazed windows with one or two chambers

Modifications that help keep the room warm in winter do not carry additional weight, and can be applied to different variations of double-glazed windows. This means that the single-chamber variety with a special coating will be even hotter than the standard two-chamber design. A single-chamber profile with improvements will be warmer than a two-chamber profile by 20 percent or more.

The single-chamber profile is much lighter than its advanced counterparts with two or even three chambers, but thanks to the coating, it is more reliable and economical in all respects. This design is suitable for installation in any home, although a two-chamber profile is not always suitable for installation on “light” walls.

The weight of the structure is not related to its saving properties, because applying a film or filling the chamber with gas is possible not only with single-chamber products, but also with other types of double-glazed windows. The advantage is that you can use a lighter product and get excellent results.

No condensation

Rice. 6. condensation on the window

Condensation occurs due to temperature changes in winter outside and at home. Regular window lenses cool quickly, so when they encounter warm air and high indoor humidity, water droplets appear on the surface. Energy-saving products will not be as cold in winter as standard ones. Therefore, the problem with temperature changes, which causes glass fogging, disappears.

Burnout protection

Rice. 7. types of tinted glass

Color fading on fabrics, furniture, wallpaper and paintings occurs due to too bright light. Therefore, in most museums, rare exhibits are stored in rooms without windows and with special lamps. However, the reflective ability of the spraying not only stops heat transfer, but also reduces the illumination of the room. The change is unlikely to seem noticeable to a person, but most things, even if they are constantly on the windowsill on the illuminated side, will retain their bright shade longer.

Multifunctional windows in summer and winter

A multilayer silver coating protects the room from heat and cold depending on the time of year:

In winter, it does not release infrared heat waves generated by heating devices into the street. Up to 78% of heat is retained, and heating costs are reduced.
In summer, the heat from the street is not allowed into the room. More than 60% of the thermal component of sunlight is reflected, reducing the cost of air conditioning.

Aluminum energy efficient windows

Warm aluminum structures are not as rare as they seem. A lightweight metal profile is an excellent solution for reliable glazing of large-area openings. However, aluminum windows have always been characterized by a higher level of heat loss when compared with equally equipped structures made of PVC profiles or wood. This problem along the perimeter of the sashes and frames was created by the so-called “cold bridges” - zones through which intense heat exchange occurs. To slow down the intense heat transfer process in these places, the profiles were separated in the middle with polymer liners. They reliably connect the outer and inner parts of the aluminum profile and prevent the penetration of cold. Thanks to them, the windows received additional protection from both cold walls and the street. Such inserts are made of polythermide or polyamide and are called thermal bridges. In this particular case, we are dealing with a situation where both energy-saving technologies must be used simultaneously.

Where are glasses with multifunctional coating used?

Their area of application is residential, office and industrial premises. Where air conditioning is constantly running in summer and heating in winter. The high price of the material will pay off within three years due to energy savings.

The installation of double-glazed windows with multifunctional glass is especially relevant for rooms where natural light and sun protection are required: building facades, living rooms and children's rooms, attics, winter gardens. They are indispensable in cafes, restaurants or shops with glazed facades, where it is impossible to use curtains, blinds or other devices that protect from the sun.

Heat insulation

Thermal insulation can be improved by using an air chamber and a heat-reflecting layer (for example, silver) applied to the surface. This principle is most easily explained by the example of a thermos: the metalized walls of the flask reflect heat, and the air chamber around the flask reduces heat loss and maintains the temperature inside.

In a double-glazed window, it is enough to apply the thinnest layer of a substance to the surface of the glass to increase its heat-reflective ability.

Comparison of double-glazed windows with ordinary and multifunctional glass

In terms of parameters that shape the microclimate of the room, ordinary glass is almost two times inferior:

Regular glass	iM spraying
Heat transfer resistance coefficient, ˚С˟m2/W (percentage of stored heat)	0,45	0,73
Emission factor	0,83	0,13
Share of transmitted solar energy	72%	40%
Light transmission	76%	66%
Noise insulation	31 dB	31 dB

Principle of operation

Metal spraying works in such a way that in winter, thermal energy is accumulated and remains indoors. In summer, some of the heat is retained and only the visible spectrum (what we call sunlight) enters the room. The temperature in the room remains stable, surfaces do not heat up. Furniture upholstery and wallpaper do not fade. Residents of upper floors and apartments on the sunny side will feel the difference immediately.

Energy saving

The high cost of metal-coated glass more than pays off during its use:

Costs for air conditioning in the summer are reduced by two to three times. In many residential premises there is no need to turn on the air conditioner at all if you use a reasonable mode of natural ventilation of the rooms.
Heating costs in winter are 50-60% less due to reduced heat loss through windows.

Expert opinion

Anton Tsugunov

Construction expert. Entrepreneur. 17 years of experience. More than 100 completed objects.

With constantly rising tariffs for electricity, gas or centralized heating, the savings are very significant. You can add to this the cost of curtains or blinds: with sun protection and mirror-like glass coated with metal, they are not needed.

Harm and benefit to plants

When ordering new double-glazed windows, users are concerned about the impact of multifunctional glass on plants. Green crops develop on the windowsills of plastic structures much better than on old wooden ones. Multilayer coating absorbs a certain range of sunlight.

The growth of indoor plants depends on several factors. The health of species is affected by air temperature and regular irrigation, soil nutrition and the concentration of carbon dioxide in oxygen. Crops also depend on the amount of light in a certain range. For example, they are not affected by short-wave blue, and an excess of ultraviolet leads to overheating. The red segment, which belongs to the visible spectrum, is important.

From spraying windows Source mykaleidoscope.ru

For normal development, shade-loving plants need at least 3000 lux, light-loving plants - 8000. Pepper seedlings are actively formed at 5800-6200 with an 18-hour daylight hours. Too much sun is just as dangerous as too little. Crops should be within the recommended range.

The development of plants depends on the cardinal directions where the pots are located. In clear spring weather, a single-chamber regular package on the south window transmits 11,500 lux. The same multifunctional glass – 9,850 lux. When it is cloudy, the readings decrease to 3,000 and 2,600 lux. North-facing openings reduce light intake by 50-60%. When growing seedlings, in any case, you will have to buy a phytolamp for additional lighting.

Multifunctional double-glazed windows protect plants from sunburn in summer and frostbite on foliage in winter. Treated surfaces from the inside do not heat up in hot weather and remain warm in cold weather. When it is hot, the soil in the pot does not dry out quickly, and when it is cold, it does not turn sour. Condensation and icing do not form on the material. There is no need to be afraid of injury if you accidentally come into contact with the problem area.

Pots with flowers Source ogorodnye-shpargalki.ru

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

The most economically beneficial type of glazing for the consumer.
Excellent thermal insulation and sun protection performance.
Good sound insulation.
No “cold” radiation, condensation and glass fogging.
Preservation of natural light in the rooms.
Resistance to mechanical damage, impact resistance, injury safety.
Wide range of glass colors, possibility of lamination and tinting.
Privacy of the room due to the mirror effect.

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The main disadvantage is the high cost. It should also be taken into account that in winter the sun protection properties of the glazing will slightly reduce the natural heating of the room by the sun's rays. Double-glazed windows with multifunctional glass are recommended to be installed in rooms where air conditioning costs are significant.

How to choose?

You should only buy double-glazed windows from reliable suppliers with a good reputation. Before purchasing, read the quality certificate for the product. Entrust installation to professionals to get the desired result and avoid unnecessary expenses. You can contact our company and glaze your apartment, cottage, or office inexpensively. To find out the exact cost of glazing, call a free measurer.

Manufacturing of iM double-glazed windows

The main difference is in the glass manufacturing process. The sheets pass along a conveyor through magnetron chambers, in which sputtering layers are formed. For example, 22 such chambers are used to produce the second generation Double Silver multi-glass from Pilkington Suncool.

Multifunctional glass is installed in a double-glazed window by spraying inside, protecting the metal layer from chemical destruction by air, as well as from physical damage. Additional protection and thermal insulation is provided by an inert gas, most often argon, pumped between the glasses.

IM spraying is effective even in single-chamber double-glazed windows, but double-chamber ones are most widespread. Designs with three and four chambers retain heat better, but block a lot of light - the room can become dark and uncomfortable. Therefore, they are installed in the northern regions.

In terms of installation features and operating rules, a double-glazed window with multifunctional glass does not differ from a regular one.

The reality and myths of energy-saving windows

N.A. Murashko, Guardian representative in Ukraine and Moldova

Although in general the level of awareness of window buyers is growing, today we still hear questions from them: “Which windows are better - Rehau or KBE?”, “Which is better - a double-glazed window or a single-chamber one with energy-saving glass?”, “Argon is leaving” glass unit?", "Does argon explode?". We will try to provide answers to these and other questions most frequently asked by customers.

Let's start with the fact that everyone who wants to install or replace windows must understand for themselves: what does he want to get from the window?

just close the opening cheaper or install a window that looks similar to your neighbor’s window. Note that focusing on the lowest price, without paying attention to anything else, will provide you with a very high probability of permanent problems with this window;

do the window correctly once and for a long time

With this approach, we recommend that the buyer think about what is important in his particular case:

Thermal insulation (needed almost everywhere and always)
Sound insulation (in many cases relevant)
Protection from solar overheating and psychological comfort of being indoors (very important for large areas of glazing, oriented to the south, west; glass roofs and facades)
Security (apartments and offices on the 1st floors, private houses).

In this article we will talk about thermal insulation: by what means it is achieved, what makes the window really warm, avoiding complex graphs, isotherms and tables, and we will operate in terms understandable to a wide audience.

Often, when choosing a window, the buyer’s attention is diverted to the choice of profile brand and does not always pay due attention to the double-glazed window. At the same time, measuring the thermal insulation of a manufactured window only by the profile grade is the same as assessing the quality of a car by the grade of steel from which the body is made

Meanwhile, glass occupies about 80% of the total window area. Therefore, if the seller talks a lot about the number of cameras in the profile and does not pay attention to the parameters of the double-glazed window, such a “specialist” is not entirely competent.

So, first of all, the thermal insulation of the window will depend on the parameters of the double-glazed window. It is the double-glazed windows that we will talk about.

A double-glazed window is several glasses hermetically connected to each other using a special frame and sealants. In this case, such a package is filled with air or gas (argon, krypton), which improves the thermal insulation properties of the double-glazed window. Double-glazed windows can be single-chamber (two glasses and one air chamber between them) and two-chamber (three glasses and, accordingly, two air chambers).

Modern technologies in glass production have stepped forward and now there are many types of special glass on the market. According to their functional purpose, special glasses are divided into:

In this case, any of the special glasses can be:

In metal-plastic and wooden windows, standard energy-saving glass is most often used to save energy. Tempered or triplex energy-saving glass is used in cases where security or intrusion protection is required.

What is indicated in the iM double-glazed window formula?

It is not difficult to decipher. The thickness of the glass and the width of the spacer frames in the double-glazed unit are indicated through hyphens. The formula begins with the outer glass and ends with the inner.

For example: 4-14-4-14-4 – double-glazed window, glass thickness 4 mm, chamber thickness – 14 mm.

The brands of glass used in double-glazed windows are indicated by special symbols:

M1 – ordinary glass. Some manufacturers indicate only thickness, omitting this abbreviation. Therefore, if there are no letter designations after the numbers, it means ordinary transparent glass.
Mf – multifunctional. It is always installed from the outside first in a double-glazed window. May also be designated by the letters "iM", manufacturer's trade names, or abbreviations. For example, SunCool, GuSolar, DS, Sunergy and others.
And - energy efficient with a soft coating. Alternative designations: letter “i”, names ClimaGard N, Top N+, ClimaGuard N.
"s" - sun protection. Or by brand names: SunGuard Solar, Stopsol Supersilver and others.
A – self-cleaning (Active Clear).

Designations for filling chambers:

There is no designation - air.
Ar – argon is used.
Xe – xenon.
Kr – krypton.
Sf – sulfur hexafluoride.

Designations of special camera elements:

No designation - regular aluminum frame.
TR – thermal break, special warm spacer frame.
Brand names of manufacturers.

Examples of deciphering the glass unit formula:

4s-10Ar-4-10Ar-4i – double-chamber double-glazed window filled with argon, with one sun protection layer, one energy-saving layer.
4Mf-12Ar-4M1 is a single-chamber double-glazed window with one multifunctional and one regular glass 4 mm thick, with a 12 mm wide chamber filled with argon.
4 DS Clear Diamond-10 TSS -4M1 -10 TSS -4M1 – double-glazed unit, with self-cleaning multifunctional Double Silver glass 4 mm thick, two regular glasses of 4 mm each and two chambers, 12 mm wide, equipped with a proprietary TSS thermal break system.

Comparison of different double glazed windows

Type	Formula	Light transmittance, %	Heat transfer resistance coefficient, S˟m2/W	Sound insulation, dB	Ultraviolet transmittance,%	Solar factor, SF
Regular single chamber	4-16-4	82	0,32	24	53	78
Regular two-chamber	4-10-4-10-4	72	0,47	36	43	71
Energy saving single chamber	4-16-4i	76	0,57	30	35	65
Energy-saving two-chamber	4-10-4-10-4i	68	0,72	36	25	59
Multifunctional single chamber	4Mf-16-4	71	0,6	30	13	38
Multifunctional two-chamber	4MF-10-4-10-4	68	0,75	38	11	35

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Characteristics of energy-saving double-glazed windows

One of the ES glasses is low-emissivity. It absorbs and loses heat more slowly than usual, and reflects up to 90% of thermal energy back into the room. Which reduces heat loss by 1.5-2 times. For comparison: the heat transfer resistance of a single-chamber double-glazed window with conventional glass is 0.32, energy-saving - 0.59.

Low-emissivity glass allows the use of single-chamber double-glazed windows consisting of only two glasses in residential premises, which facilitates installation and reduces the weight of the window structure. In this case, the heat transfer resistance will be higher than that of a conventional two-chamber one.

The space between the glasses in the ES is filled with dry air or inert gases, mainly argon or krypton. A gas that does not react can improve thermal efficiency by another 5-7%.

For tightness, the spacer frame around the entire perimeter is treated with sealant. For energy-saving structures, this production stage is especially important, since if the product is depressurized, the spraying properties can be reduced to zero. Inside the frame there are granules that absorb residual moisture from the space between the glasses.

How to distinguish a double-glazed window with a multifunctional coating?

The most reliable way is to mark the glass unit. A special sticker is attached to the glass.

By the presence of a mirror layer.
The color is greenish or blue.
An optical detector will indicate metal deposits based on the electrical resistance of the surface.
“People’s” test with a lighter: if you bring a flame source to metal-coated glass, then one of the reflections will differ in color. It will take on a reddish or crimson tint.

Durability and operation

Multifunctional spraying is located inside a sealed glass unit and will last until it depressurizes. The approximate service life of the window is 15-20 years, until the argon evaporates from the chamber. After which the metal coating will oxidize and collapse.

With high-quality assembly, careful operation and periodic pumping of argon, the service life of an iM double-glazed window is almost unlimited.

Unlike i-glass, multifunctional glass can be tempered and bent. It is more resistant to mechanical stress and less dangerous.

Easy launch into production

You can order windows, doors and other products from the plant, both while in Moscow and from another region.

Even if you decide to buy plastic windows for the first time, there will be no difficulties with the order: the company’s specialists will provide you with all the necessary assistance in preparing the task for production. A company employee will complete the task promptly using your specialist’s measurement sheet or a sketch made by a certified company measurer (for the retail department). Window measurement service.

The launch of products into production is carried out on the basis of technical specifications, drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the enterprise, taking into account the selected Veka profile series, fittings system, double-glazed windows, etc.

GOST for multifunctional glass

The production of glass with metal coating is controlled by GOST 31364-2014, which states:

Glass parameters, dimensions, permissible deviations from them.
Technical characteristics: coefficients of absorption, reflection, light transmission, heat transfer resistance; coating durability, permissible surface and edge defects, energy saving class.
Methods and methods of quality control.
Requirements for labeling, transportation and storage of sheets.

Effect on plants

Green spaces are comfortable behind double-glazed windows with iM-coating:

Overheating from direct sunlight is excluded.
There is no cold radiation - the plants will not freeze even on the windowsill.
A sufficient amount of ultraviolet radiation and lighting for the development of plants and photosynthesis processes is ensured by the high light transmittance of glass.

Content

How is multi-glass made?
Principle of operation
Multifunctional glass: features
How is it different from energy saving
What does the glass formula say?
Multifunctional glass: how to determine
Where is multifunctional glass installed?
Multi-glass and indoor plants
Advantages and disadvantages

Manufacturers of multifunctional glasses

American company GUARDIAN – brands SunGuard, ClimaGuard. Founded in 1932, it has representative offices in 22 countries on five continents. The company has two factories in Russia - production in Rostov and Ryazan.
English company Pilkington – Suncool, Eclipse Advantage, Life Glass series. It has been operating since 1826. Representative offices in 130 countries. Marriage is extremely rare; each case is considered by management as a real emergency.
Japanese manufacturer AGC – brands Sunergy, Stopray, Energy. The company has two factories in Russia (in the Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod regions). A network of distributors from Kaliningrad to Irkutsk.

Technical characteristics of some product samples from three leading companies are presented in the table.

Glass brand	Light transmission,%	Direct energy transmission, %	Solar factor, %	Heat transfer coefficient, W/m2*K
Guardian SunGuard SNX 60 Ultra	13	28	29	1
Guardian ClimaGuard Solar	67	43	43	1
AGC Sunergy Gray	34	30	42	4,1
AGC Stopray Vision-60T	59	33	37	1
Pilkington Suncool 70/40	71	39	43	1,1
Pilkington Eclipse Advantage Clear	61	50	55	1,6

Swiss company Glas Trösch – Comfort SILVERSTAR ZERO glass. Founded in 1905, it has more than 60 enterprises in Western and Eastern Europe. Strict quality control.
Russian "Salavatsteklo" - brand MUKTICOMFORT. The plant was founded in 1962, the largest glass manufacturer in Russia. Representative offices in 20 countries.

There are a huge variety of models of multifunctional glass, differing in their properties and qualities. In order for new windows to serve as long as possible and effectively, you need to be very careful when choosing them. Compare the characteristics of models from leading manufacturers, identify their advantages and choose the appropriate option for your conditions.