WERS

Saint-Gobain Glass has announced the launch of the next generation of its SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL product. According to the company, this will make it easier than ever before to achieve cost effective band C window energy ratings (WERs), and make A-ratings a viable option for many more standard window configurations.

Called SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL+, the new product will fully replace the existing PLANITHERM TOTAL product and aims to offer at least 5KWh/m2/year WERs improvement over its predecessor – the equivalent of half a WERs band. While the optimum centre-pane U-value remains unchanged at 1.2 W/m2K, the G-value has increased to 0.71, often taking existing windows into the next band.

This development was pioneered in the UK, using the magnetron coating facility at Eggborough, and according to Saint-Gobain Glass, it makes SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL+ the most energy efficient low-e glass for WERs on the market.

Sales and marketing director, Derek Dragten, said: “The goal of this improvement has been to help fabricators and installers comfortably meet the proposed C-rated minimum requirements of Document L of the Building Regulations using standard double glazed units for the majority of windows. Of course with such a huge performance advantage coming from the coated glass element, A and B ratings are also more easily achievable, and A+ ratings may be closer than previously thought”.

Launched in March 2010, SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL+ will be a single stock product, allowing it to be used either annealed or toughened, and will be fully backed by CE marking certification.