Just a few years ago, mirrored windows were a rare phenomenon, found exclusively in big cities, in expensive hotels or premium restaurants. They sparkled temptingly and beautifully, reflecting people passing by, and reliably hid what was happening inside the room from prying eyes.
Today, such windows have ceased to be a curiosity and are found quite often not only in commercial premises, but also in the apartments of ordinary citizens.
The technology for producing mirrored plastic windows is not very expensive, and therefore beautiful and practical designs are becoming more and more popular.
Windows with mirror glass look very impressive - they immediately attract attention and highlight the building (or part of the building) against the general architectural background. It is for this reason that such structures are used to decorate the facades of nightclubs, shopping and entertainment centers, sports complexes and other premises that should be visible.
In addition to the spectacular appearance given to the building, mirrored double-glazed windows increase the comfort of the room, blocking the overwhelming majority of ultraviolet rays, but allowing natural daylight to pass through well. The reflective effect of the mirror surface is useful in hot weather - it prevents the room from overheating, allowing you not to use air conditioning and saving energy consumption.
Glass for mirrored windows is created today using two technologies:
- By gluing a mirror film of the desired degree of transparency onto the glass surface.
- Vacuum deposition of a layer of metal oxide (titanium) onto one side of the glass.
Glass produced using different technologies has individual characteristics and properties that are worth considering in more detail.
Types of mirror film
Rice. 3. Varieties of mirror film
There are several types of mirror film used for application to double-glazed windows:
- film for internal application. A metalized structure that is installed indoors on the inner edge and inside the glass unit on the side of the building. Features a wide range of colors and the ability to choose any degree of darkening;
- mirror metallized film for outdoor use. Glued from the street side. A special feature of this type of film is the presence of an additional protective element that protects the glass layer from external influences. Can be made only in two versions: dark or light metallic. The film does not reflect the sun's rays, allowing them to enter the room without interference;
- high-quality film (spatter). Attached from the side of the room. In summer, it reflects up to 40% of sunlight, so you can stop using blinds or curtains. It has many shades: blue, yellow, greenish, gray. It is possible to select the degree of light transmission. Replacement if damaged is quick, without much effort;
- combined. It has a protective function and the ability to reflect sunlight from the surface. There is a wide range of colors to choose from. You can choose different degrees of light transmission. Protects against cracks, overheating, and ultraviolet rays that are dangerous to the body. Attaches to the outside.
Each type of film can have a different level of resistance to burglary. The most durable options are able to protect against destruction even during explosions, and do not break from a direct shot from a pneumatic weapon. The material cracks under significant impact, but remains intact.
What to do?
The problem is partially solved by installing mirror-tinted glass. During the day they provide one-way visibility, but in the evening, under artificial lighting, their protective effect disappears: here you can no longer do without the usual curtains or blinds.
In terms of performance, the listed types of windows are almost identical. The difference is that swinging and folding structures require additional space inside the house or on the veranda.
Even low-emissivity glasses have a fairly high thermal conductivity: at negative temperatures, their surface quickly cools down and condensation accumulates on it. This is fraught not only with a decrease in visibility, but also with the appearance of unsightly streaks. Convectors solve this problem by providing constant heating of the glass unit.
For the first floors, strong metal fences and a security system (video surveillance, alarm) can solve the problem. If you live on the upper floors of high-rise buildings, you are not afraid of thieves, but you are worried about your child, you can install metal barriers at the bottom of the window. Before purchasing, make sure that the windows are made in accordance with the standards from high-strength glass with a thickness of at least 6 mm. Opt for anti-vandal, shock-proof, low-emissivity glass. There are also special films that are applied to glass and reduce the likelihood of damage to the glass and prevent it from crumbling if it does manage to break.
Advantages of mirror film
Rice. 4. The degree of light transmission of the mirror film
Using mirror film provides many advantages. It increases surface stability and increases strength. When using the technology outside, it becomes very difficult to break glass from the street, although it can be broken from indoors without much difficulty. Any film protects well from ultraviolet radiation.
The rays are reflected from the surface. Strong overheating of glass when using the technology is eliminated, which increases the service life of furniture and finishing materials in the room. One of the important advantages is the ability to retain accumulated heat. In the cold season, this property is especially important.
For those living in the private sector or on the lower floors, an important property of the film is the ability to protect from prying eyes. When cracking, any type of structure will hold the fragments and prevent even the smallest particles from scattering. Can be used on glass of any size, double-glazed windows with different configurations. The user selects a convenient shade, light transmission features and degree of strength.
Hiding from prying eyes
Products equipped with frames will last much longer than frameless options. Modern manufacturers offer the manufacture of panoramic windows from reinforced metal, aluminum, wooden double-glazed windows and PVC plastic. All of them look stylish and modern, are characterized by durability and resistance to the environment. It’s up to you to decide which material and design of panoramic windows you prefer. Designers recommend choosing a design for panoramic windows that will be in harmony with the overall interior and exterior of the building.
You can make a false window with lighting: it looks as if it is a real window with frosted opaque glass, behind which there is bright sunlight. This is the most realistic and least complicated version of a false window. You can use photo wallpaper as a background for such an element, or even leave it clean and plain.
Place a mirrored false window opposite a real window: by reflecting the sun, it will make the room much brighter until late in the evening.
Owners of an attic floor or a country house can use a false window on the ceiling. False windows with lighting look especially impressive on ceilings. They can be used both as additional and as the main lighting of the room. An LED strip is hidden behind the “window”, which gives even light, reminiscent of sunlight.
Manufacturing technology
Rice. 5. Examples of using mirror film
The main component in the manufacture of mirror film is polyester. Raw materials must be thoroughly cleaned and sorted. The material is multi-layered, each layer in thickness does not exceed 20 microns. Additional functions can be added by adding additional spraying. The manufacturing company rolls the layers until a homogeneous base is created. After the necessary actions under high temperature, a single structure is obtained.
It is important to choose a high-quality base so that the final material meets all requirements. One of the necessary conditions for the finished product is the absence of distorted reflection when looking at the surface. The condition is achieved by selecting layers of equal thickness. Manufacturing technology is constantly being improved, and the physical and chemical properties of the components used are improving.
Nowadays it is difficult to find a film on which scratches appear when washed with abrasive substances, although previously there was no other option. When the concentration of one of the constituent substances decreases, the properties of the coating also change, for example, the degree of light transmission. The glue used is one of the important components. It acts at the molecular level, connecting all elements together. If you buy a high-quality mirror coating, its use will last for several decades.
Technological features of glass spraying
The principle of this effect is based on the fact that a darkened room is quite difficult to see against the backdrop of brighter reflections.
Today there are no translucent mirrors that would be able to transmit light in one direction and not in the other. In order to make such glass, people began to use special methods that allow products with a one-sided effect.
Thus, simple mirrors can be glass with an extremely dense and thick reflective coating applied to the back surface. Mirrors that have one-way transparency are made in a similar way, but a thinner coating layer is used that also transmits light.
As an alternative, today some use a mirror film, which will be applied to the surface of the product. This mirror type film can be easily applied to a finished product.
There are two main spraying methods:
- Pyrolytic method (it is carried out during manufacturing).
- Vacuum type of spraying (applied to finished types of products using a special type of installation).
Today there are several types of vacuum-type sputtering, and the most popular are high-speed magnetron and ion-plasma.
Reflective glass
Rice. 6. Example of reflective glass
It has a number of properties, the ability to absorb light reaches 70%. The manufacturing technology involves applying a layer of metal oxide. The strength characteristics and impact resistance of the surface are increased.
There are several types of reflective glass, differing in features and manufacturing method. Types of materials:
- Absorbing. The main function is to absorb harmful solar radiation.
- Reflective. Protect from sunlight.
- Combined. They combine the positive features of each type of product.
Absorbent reflective glasses
Rice. 7. Absorbent reflective glass
They are manufactured using a special technology: the blanks are placed in an oven, kept there at a temperature of 650 ° C, and then heated. Thickness, width, height and shape are given using special rollers. The molten consistency is then treated with metal oxide crystals. After applying the required number of layers, the material is sent for hardening.
Hardening is carried out by blowing air. Strength increases and the ability to absorb light rays appears. Glass, if an additional colored layer is not installed - spraying, has a green-blue color.
Depending on customer requirements, glass can transmit from 30 to 80% of light rays. Protection against infrared light is high: no more than 30% of rays are transmitted through the surface. The features of the technology require a high degree of protection, but glass has some negative properties. During strong solar activity, the surface of the material can heat up significantly. The surface must heat up and cool down evenly - the material can crack with significant temperature fluctuations.
How to tint balcony glass with your own hands
It is quite possible to glue the film onto balcony glass yourself. To do this, it is recommended to arm yourself with the following tools:
- Sprayer.
- Stationery knife.
- Lint-free napkin.
- Wide rubber spatula.
- A product to degrease the glass surface (alcohol, acetone, dishwashing or window detergent).
It is recommended to thoroughly clean the glass first.
Any speck will lead to poor quality work, and the film will peel off or an unsightly bubble will form.
The film is glued as follows:
- A size that matches the visible part of the glass is cut from the canvas.
- Wet the adhesive side of the film and the window.
- Start applying from above, gradually smoothing it towards the bottom.
- It is necessary to wet the surface of the film with a sprayer for better adhesion.
- Using a spatula and a napkin, smooth to the bottom and remove bubbles.
The process of installing solar control mirror film on plastic windows
If it is possible to remove the glass from the frame, then it is worth gluing it this way. In this case, a piece of material is taken with a small allowance, which is then cut off.
Reflective glass
Rice. 8. Glass making
The material is made almost exactly the same as ordinary glass. It is distinguished by the application of a special coating at the last stage of work. The workpiece is placed in the oven and heated under high temperature. Using special rollers, the material is given the required shape and thickness. As with absorbent reflective glasses, the surface is tempered using an air flow. This increases all the necessary characteristics.
After partial cooling, a thin layer of ceramic, polymer or metal oxide coating is applied. Then it needs to cool completely. When the workpiece cools, the surface has a silver color, and thanks to the last stage of processing, high reflective properties appear.
The peculiarity of glass is the ability to reflect sunlight to the required level. During operation, there is no heating of the surface or changes in composition. Plastic double-glazed windows of this type are rarely used due to their high cost.
Examples of using:
The mirror coating on glass is available in turquoise, blue, gold, blue, steel, titanium and other colors.
Let me just briefly outline the tip of the iceberg of such production.
There are three main approaches to the question of what production is. I’ll call them American, Japanese, and Soviet.
American. Production is money. There will be money, we will buy everything, we will build buildings, rent them, hire people, charter transport, pay for licenses, etc.
Japanese. Production is about people. Money itself does not work. Money was created by people and for people. There will be people, there will be money. There will be no People, nothing will happen.
Sovkovy. Manufacturing is iron. A building and a machine, that's production. We don’t have irreplaceable people, we only have irreplaceable ones.
Based on this, there are initial production problems.
The main issue for us is personnel...
Do you understand, Lavrenty?
Finding a good electroplating chemist is a problem.
A good vacuum deposition technologist, perhaps even more. Do not underestimate competent galvanizers, operators, and adjusters. As a rule, they do not lie on the road. Issues of technology and market are also very important. I personally know one production with the following story:
One very active businessman was once in Germany in the 90s of the last century.
He approached the stand at the exhibition, there were vacuum installations and representatives of the company were showing all sorts of wonderful products that can be made with them, for example, reflectors of halogen lamps that do not heat the object of illumination, with high efficiency, etc., solar panels, shiny Christmas trees toys, shiny pigments for paints, hardened tools, etc. our businessman liked it, he took out a loan of three and a half million Deutsche marks, under government guarantees. I purchased two turnkey lines from the Germans. He took a normal building for this business, recruited people under a contract, sent them to study in Germany, in general, all the rank of plane tree.
The Germans delivered everything on time, delivered the minimum necessary consumables, sufficient for several months of work, installed everything, adjusted it, and launched it. The lines were turned on and product samples were sprayed. Right in front of our businessman, thirty kopeck blanks for lamp reflectors were loaded into the installation, after thirty-five minutes they took out the first batch, each worth 8 marks! The decorative coatings were sprayed, the paint machine was turned on, and they were opened like gold! Reporters came running and showed it on TV.
The Germans left. It turned out that the operators knew how to spray, but there were no technological maps. Nobody knows the regimes, there are no technologists, and the adjusters have not been trained. The operator made a mistake, the electron beam cut through the camera, I had to call the Germans, travel expenses, repairs, back and forth, fifteen thousand greenery flew away. They stood there for a month. And then it was a complete downtime. The consumables have run out, new ones are expensive, spare parts are more expensive than new installations, reflectors, solar panels, the Germans don’t want to buy, they have their own market.
Our businessman stopped by, what should we do? We came up with the idea of spraying strainers for teapots, beautiful!
They turn out so shiny, thanks to the special ones. abrasive preparation, vibratory finishing, ultrasonic washing, everything is included in automatic lines.
But it's just pennies. It doesn't pay off, however. We tried to strengthen the tool, but there are no technologists, the demand is low, competitors...
It turns out that no one was involved in marketing work.
Well, when the “gold” pigment ran out, the varnishing machine broke down, and the line of decorative aluminum stopped working. All. We've arrived.
The company went bankrupt. The state took the factory for debts, but no one still knows what to do with it.
By and large, there are two colors of mirror coatings, these are Silver and Gold, which have one common distinctive feature - the mirror shine of the surfaces being coated. Of course, such materials are most often used in the automotive industry and in the glass industry, although these are not all areas of use.
We will talk about this below, and also, as an addition, we will watch a thematic video in this article.
Mirror Chrome paint - excellent effect
Combined reflective glasses
Rice. 9. Reflective glass
This type of glass is able to absorb and reflect sunlight. Manufactured using standard technology, but with additional improvements. After heating and giving the required shape, 4 layers of metal oxide are applied. The surface is hardened with the help of air. Then, after partial cooling, another layer is applied - silver and the workpiece cools.
Solar radiation is reflected from the surface to a given extent. Harmful radiation is almost completely absorbed. One of the additional benefits is the significant degree of heat retention in the room. The creation of this type of glass is expensive, since it requires the application of a large number of layers. The process is labor-intensive, long, and the final cost of the material is high.
The thickness of the product can be 6, 8, 10 mm. The length varies according to customer preferences. For example, glass in large shopping centers is often made with dimensions of about 6x3 meters with a thickness of 6 mm.
Advantages of reflective glasses
Rice. 10. Breaking coated glass
Reflective glass of mirror glass units has the following advantages:
- high aesthetic qualities - the use of modern technologies allows you to give the material the necessary shade;
- the possibility of improving the microclimate of the room due to the property of partial transmission of light rays;
- high reflective properties do not allow you to see what is happening behind them. There is a choice of specularity: from minimal to full;
- thanks to processing and hardening they have high strength;
- it is possible to laminate and additionally harden;
- if it is necessary to improve the characteristics, it is possible to apply additional layers;
- the building acquires a presentable appearance thanks to panoramic glazing;
- Can be used in single glass, double glazing.
Advantages of the company plasokna
You can buy windows with mirrored double glazed units at plasokna at the most profitable prices. The company offers its clients:
- professional installation;
- high level service;
- extended warranty for services and products;
- affordable prices;
- high-quality products, the creation of which uses only certified components.
Having its own production, plasokna carries out quality control of its products at all production stages.
Reflective glass manufacturing technology
Rice. 11. Glass making
The production of reflective glass follows rules similar to the production of plain glass. Subsequent additional processing differs. First, the workpiece is heated in an oven to a temperature of 650 ° C so that the existing mass softens. After leaving the oven, the hot future product is cut. Saws in the form of rollers provide the required width, length, and thickness. If necessary, the structure is given a special shape.
Next, the glass must be slightly cooled and an additional layer of metal oxide crystals must be applied to add strength and increase protection from sunlight. There can be several layers - it depends on the degree of light transmission in the finished product. To prevent cracking under minimal pressure, the workpiece is hardened.
Pressurized air masses blow over the structure until it cools completely, increasing strength. Light rays are transmitted even worse after the procedure. If necessary, the color selected by the client is applied: by spraying, the desired color can be achieved.
Depending on the type of reflective glass, the number of additional layers can be changed. The density of the metal oxide layer on the surface is variable. To enhance protection against harmful solar radiation, silver oxide is added.
Why is it necessary?
The scorching sun is the main enemy of indoor spaces. When the temperature outside increases to +40 C, a person becomes uncomfortable in such conditions. If ultraviolet radiation heats the glass, the transparent material takes on the qualities of heating radiators. The room becomes as hot as it is outside the window.
Bright rays Source jordanheatac.com
The air conditioning system helps relieve discomfort. With round-the-clock operation, electricity bills increase dramatically, which is not always justified. Mirror glass units are considered a more economical option.
A special protective coating is applied to the surface of the glass. Depending on the selected characteristics, the raw material reflects or absorbs up to 75% of sunlight. The material protects interior items and wallpaper in the room from fading. Only soft radiation penetrates into the room, maintaining a pleasant coolness in the heat of the day. Air conditioners do not wear out, so energy consumption is reduced.
Mirrored glass protects the occupants of the home from prying eyes. Through raw materials it is impossible to see what is happening in the room. After glazing, you can go out onto the French balcony in your underpants, without fear of judgment from passers-by.
Protective coating for balconies Source zakupka.com
Mirror models essentially remain ordinary double-glazed windows. Thermal and sound insulation characteristics do not differ from traditional transparent structures. Visually, buildings with this type of glazing acquire a modern touch. Initially, the products were used for office and retail buildings, restaurants and sports facilities. Nowadays it can be seen more and more often in apartment high-rises and country houses.
Disadvantages of mirror glass units
Rice. 12. Pasting the film
Mirror double-glazed windows are made in a special way. They are able to reflect ultraviolet rays well. Infrared radiation, which is harmful to the human body, is almost completely absorbed. A high sun protection effect does not interfere with the penetration of a sufficient amount of light into the room, or the choice of the degree of penetration of sunlight. Natural lighting ceases to be harsh and becomes pleasant and warm.
In addition to the listed properties, the external characteristics of the building are improved, due to which the materials are increasingly used in the construction of entertainment centers or sports complexes. The price depends on the properties of the surface. There are a certain number of disadvantages that you should know before purchasing products:
- Reflective double glazed windows can deteriorate if exposed to excessive heat. Visible stains appear on the surface, spoiling the appearance.
- Using film as a protective coating for double-glazed windows requires time for pasting and investment of money. Artificial coating costs an order of magnitude more than film.
- If the protective film is applied incorrectly, the appearance may be damaged. Leaving burrs along the edges (applies to the protective film) is unacceptable, as they will begin to curl up, spoiling the attractive appearance.
- The reflective properties disappear at night, when the inside of the room becomes an order of magnitude lighter than outside.
False window on the ceiling
Many apartment owners face the problem of low light, especially those located on the lower floors and on the north side of the house. There are many ways and solutions to deal with this problem. One of them is quite original - these are false windows. Let's talk about what they are and what functions, besides lighting, they provide in the interior.
1. We hang a mirror of suitable size on the wall, and mount an imitation window frame on top of it;
A mirrored “window” can visually enlarge the space, and it also allows you to achieve the correct geometry in the room. If there are two ways to make a mirror false window:
An LED window is an unusual and quite expensive version of a false window. It is a liquid crystal screen that is connected to a computer or laptop through a control module. This way, the necessary image or even a video with sounds and a panorama of nature, the city or any other suitable landscape is broadcast on the screen.
Scope of application of mirror glass units
Rice. 13. Using mirror glass
Most often, installation is carried out in shopping centers, sports complexes, and office buildings. Recently, owners of private houses have begun to use modern technology in their households. Such buildings are distinguished by a special style, beauty, and modernity. It would be appropriate to equip any home with such an innovation - there are no restrictions on its use.
If you have sufficient funds, you can use a reflective type of glass. Here, a special manufacturing technology is highlighted that allows you to protect the room from harmful influences. The stylish appearance will help the innovation fit into any home design. Like the protective film on a mirror glass unit, reflective glass allows you to protect your home from prying eyes.
What types of double-glazed windows are there?
Plastic mirror windows are more often found covered with film, because their production is cheaper, and this option is more accessible to the buyer. The protection obtained by using the film is optimal. It is not difficult to apply; you can even do it yourself on long-installed windows.
The film will allow you to adjust the lighting in the room and prevent too bright sun from overheating the room. This means that interior items will not fade, the color of wallpaper and flooring will last longer, it will be noticeably cooler in the summer, and your eyes will be less tired. At the same time, indoor plants will receive enough light.
Mirror double-glazed windows have approximately the same functions and properties, however, they are more durable. If the film may swell over time or suffer physical damage, then the spray cannot be removed from the glass unit. On the other hand, this creates certain inconveniences: if you want to change the light transmission capacity of the structure or its design, then the coated windows will have to be dismantled, while the film can simply be peeled off.
Most often, mirror film is used to decorate glass windows of houses and apartments. If desired, the owner can choose any color he likes, which will help give the window a suitable appearance for any interior or facade.
