Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass) has launched Sungate ThermL^™ glass, a new low-emissivity (low-e) coating engineered for use on the interior surface of a typical one-inch insulating glass unit (IGU) that reduces heat transfer and dramatically improves U-values when paired with a Solarban^® solar control low-e glass by Vitro on the second surface.

“We’re pleased to unveil Sungate ThermL^™ glass, our new U-value enhancing low-e coating that enables superior thermal performance without changing the visual characteristics of the IGU because of its colorless and low reflective aesthetic,” said Erin Casci, Product Manager for MSVD Coated Products, Vitro Architectural Glass. “What’s unique about Sungate ThermL^™ glass is that it gives the same look and feel as uncoated glass while maintaining high visible light transmittance (VLT) and enabling even more high-performance configurations for today’s glazing contractors. It’s another example of Vitro’s continued commitment to providing the most sustainable solutions in the glass industry.”

Pictured left to right: Sungate ThermL^™ glass paired with Solarban^® 60 glass, and Solarban^® 60 glass alone. Due to its colorless and low reflective aesthetic Sungate ThermL^™ glass enhances U-value but does not change the visual characteristics of the IGU. 

When Sungate ThermL^™ glass is paired in a one-inch IGU with a half-inch airspace with argon and Solarban^® 70 glass on the second surface, the U-value is 0.19, a 21% improvement over using Solarban^® 70 glass alone. Additional performance benefits of pairing Sungate ThermL^™ glass with Solarban^® 70 glass include a VLT of 63% and a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.27.

Solarban^® 70 glass, shown here on the USTA National Security Collaboration Center, has a transparent, neutral aesthetic and allows ample visible light to pass through while delivering low interior and exterior reflectance to preserve views. Pairing Solarban^® 70 glass with the U-value enhancing low-e coating, Sungate ThermL^™ glass, provides a similar aesthetic and improved thermal performance. 

(Photography: Tom Kessler)

In a one-inch IGU with a half-inch airspace with argon, Solarban^® 60 glass on the second surface and Sungate ThermL^™ glass on the fourth surfacer provides a U-value of 0.20, which is a 20% improvement over using Solarban^® 60 glass alone. This combination of Sungate ThermL^™ glass with Solarban^® 60 glass enables a VLT of 69% and SHGC of 0.38.

Available now exclusively through Vitro Authorized^® and Vitro Certified^® fabricators, Sungate ThermL^™ glass is ideal wherever increased insulation performance is needed. Another benefit of Sungate ThermL^™ glass is that the coating is as durable and resistant to mechanical abrasion as uncoated glass.

For more information about Sungate ThermL^™ glass and to order samples, visit vitroglazings.com/Sungate-Therml. 

To learn more about products from Vitro Architectural Glass, visit vitroglazings.com or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (887-6457). 

Solarban^® 70 glass on the UC San Diego Torrey Pines Living & Learning Community is neutral, colorless and provides low reflectivity while offering remarkable thermal performance. Pairing Solarban^® 70 glass with the U-value enhancing low-e coating, Sungate ThermL^™ glass, provides a similar aesthetic and improved thermal performance. 

(Photography: Tom Harris)