Solar control coated glass: the insider’s guide architects keep asking me for
If you’ve been wading through glazing submittals lately, you’ve seen the phrase solar control low e glass everywhere. And for good reason: it’s the quiet workhorse behind lower cooling loads, better daylight, and facades that look crisp at noon and still respectable at dusk. I’ve toured a few coating lines in Hebei and, to be honest, the tech has matured fast in the last three years.
What’s trending in 2025
- Double- and triple-silver stacks for tighter SHGC without killing VLT.
- More “T-grade” temperable sputter coats for complex façades.
- Neutral color rendering; clients are done with greenish hues.
- IGU durability push: EN 1279 and ASTM E2190 test evidence up front.
Quick specs: Solar Control Coated Glass
Origin: Yushui Economic Development Zone, Shahe City, Hebei Province, China. Many customers say lead times are surprisingly steady out of this cluster.
| Thickness | 3–12 mm |
| Standard sizes | 2140×3660, 2140×3300, 2440×3660, 2440×3300, 1830×2440 mm; customized size available |
| Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) | ≈ 35–70% (real-world use may vary by stack and IGU) |
| SHGC | ≈ 0.23–0.45 (EN 410 / ISO 9050 calc.) |
| Emissivity (ε) | ≈ 0.02–0.10 (sputtered low-E) |
| U-value (IGU, argon) | ≈ 1.1–1.6 W/m²·K (NFRC/EN methods) |
| Colors / reflectance | Neutral, cool gray, soft blue; exterior reflectance typically 10–18% |
How it’s made (and tested)
Base is high-clarity float glass. Then, in a clean magnetron sputter line, alternating dielectric/metal (often Ag) layers are deposited—single, double, or triple-silver stacks. Temperable variants tweak barrier layers to survive heat treatment. After cutting and edge deletion, units are toughened (EN 12150) or laminated (EN 14449), assembled into IGUs (EN 1279), and gas-filled.
Quality checks: spectral scans (ISO 9050/EN 410), emissivity meter readings, pinhole/adhesion tests (EN 1096), and IGU durability per EN 1279 / ASTM E2190. Service life? In a well-made IGU, 25–30 years is common; coastal or high-UV sites need stricter sealant specs—I guess most façade consultants will insist on dual-seal polysulfide or silicone.
Where it shines
- Office façades and curtain walls needing LEED/BREEAM credits.
- Retail fronts that want daylight without merchandise fade (pair with PVB interlayers).
- Residential towers chasing lower HVAC tonnage and less glare.
solar control low e glass reduces cooling loads (often 10–18% vs. clear IGU, project-dependent), while keeping decent CRI indoors. One facility manager told me, “Afternoons feel calmer—less ‘oven window’.”
Short case notes
solar control low e glass, double-silver, 6 mm + 12Ar + 6 mm: VLT ≈ 58%, SHGC ≈ 0.33. In a Shenzhen office retrofit, modeled annual cooling dropped ≈ 14% (IES-VE model, data on file). Another job in Riyadh used a triple-silver variant (VLT 45%, SHGC 0.27) and reported measurable glare reduction after 3 pm—small thing, big comfort.
Vendor comparison (quick take)
| Vendor | Coating type | Custom size | Standards / certs | Lead time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wangmei Glass (Hebei) | Sputtered low-E, single/double/triple Ag; temperable options | Yes | EN 1096, EN 410/ISO 9050, EN 1279, GB/T 18915 | ≈ 2–4 weeks | Neutral color focus; strong size range |
| Global Brand A | Triple-silver premium | Limited on short runs | NFRC/NAMI, EN, ASTM | ≈ 5–8 weeks | Top optical consistency |
| Regional Processor B | Single/double-silver | Yes | EN local compliance | ≈ 2–3 weeks | Budget-friendly, fewer tints |
Customization
Stacks tailored for target VLT/SHGC, frit-ready surfaces, heat-strengthened or fully tempered, laminated security build-ups, and IGU spacers (warm-edge recommended). Sizes include 2140×3660, 2140×3300, 2440×3660, 2440×3300, 1830×2440 mm—plus made-to-order cuts.
Certifications and data you should ask for
- Spectral reports per ISO 9050/EN 410 with modelled SHGC and VLT.
- Emissivity certificate and EN 1096 durability class.
- IGU durability: EN 1279 parts 2/3 and/or ASTM E2190 pass.
- Thermal stress and breakage risk notes for dark coatings.
One more thing: specify edge deletion of coatings inside the IG seal—small detail, big longevity.
Bottom line
solar control low e glass is no longer niche—it’s baseline. Pick the stack that meets your VLT/SHGC targets, lock in verified test data, and you’ll keep both energy models and end users happy.
Authoritative citations
- EN 1096: Glass in building — Coated glass.
- ISO 9050: Glass in building — Determination of light and solar characteristics.
- EN 410: Glass in building — Calculation of luminous and solar characteristics.
- NFRC 100/200: Procedure for determining fenestration U-factor and SHGC/VT.
- EN 1279: Insulating glass units — Long-term test methods.
- GB/T 18915.1: Coated glass — Specifications; GB/T 2680 (calc. methods).
- ASTM E2190 (IGU durability) and ASTM E903 (solar absorptance).
Wangmei Group Founded in 2000, the Wangmei Group has grown over the past two decades into a large modern enterprise group, coated glass suppliers specializing in the R&D and manufacture of high-quality float glass, processing glass, and high-end doors and windows.float glass manufacturers Wangmei Group has consistently adhered to the policies and regulations of the Pary and the state, actively responding to government initiatives, and fulfiling the reguirements of the “carbon dioxide emission and carbon neutrality” policies, mirror glass company The Group is commited to adopting an innovation-driven,green development model, tempered glass china fuly supporting the country’s social and economic development.toughened laminated glass suppliers