Working to sustainability targets? Want to boost energy efficiency at home? Learn how glass roofs can help.
It's a problem shared by homeowners, business owners, governments and non-governmental organisations alike. How do you ensure that buildings are energy-efficient as well as aesthetically pleasing?
The truth is that too many customers see it as an either/or. Either you prioritise green tech or you prioritise a good-looking building. In fact, modern glass allows you to achieve both.
Glass roofs are a great example of this. They help you maintain thermal efficiency, lowering your energy bills and carbon footprint in the process. But they also have an elegant look that can be futuristic or classic, depending on the setting.
This is all thanks to advances in glass technology. But before we explain how they can boost your energy efficiency, you may want to know what other advantages they have. Let's take a look…
What are the advantages of glass roof panels?
From an aesthetic point of view,
glass roof panels have one great selling point. They flood your home, office or other building with natural light. This helps create a bright, inviting environment regardless of what the building is used for.
Glass roof panels can be toughened, laminated or insulated to meet different requirements. Whichever option you go for, they're tough, durable and energy-efficient.
One of the great things about modern glass manufacturing is that qualities like toughness, durability and energy efficiency don't lead to any compromise in aesthetics. They can be customised and decorated in a variety of ways to blend with their surroundings.
They're great at retaining heat when it's cold and keeping it out when it's hot. This means that a building with a glass roof is more likely to be comfortable all year round, as well as well-lit.
And perhaps most importantly of all, this thermal efficiency means lower energy bills and a lower carbon footprint. At a time when sustainability is such a priority for so many individuals and organisations, why would you not consider it as an option?
What are the benefits of natural light?
Harnessing natural light has two key advantages. The first is that it reduces your use of artificial lighting, which in turn reduces energy bills and the building's carbon footprint. It kills two birds with one stone, helping to secure your bottom line and the planet's future.
The second key advantage is more wide-ranging. It boils down to this: natural light is good for you.
It's not just that we need sunlight for good old Vitamin D. It's also that it's good for us in a holistic sense.
Different studies report different findings, but the general drift is clear. Homes and offices that let in a lot of natural light are good for the mood and can even give productivity a boost.
Research firm Eco-Business, for example, found that workplaces with good natural light saw an increase in productivity and sales between five percent and 40%. It stands to reason that the same would apply to schools, homes and other buildings.
Thermal insulation
When it comes to the energy efficiency of glass roof panels, their insulating properties are all-important. When toughened or laminated, they're engineered to keep unwanted heat in or out, depending on the weather and the time of year.
This lets you save on your energy bills and simultaneously create a comfortable environment, no matter what the weather report is saying.
Take control of solar heat gain
You may not know the phrase "solar heat gain" (SHG). However, you will definitely have experienced it.
We've all noticed that some parts of the house are sweltering in summer while others stay cool. This is because of SHG, a term which refers to the way the sun's radiation gets turned into heat.
You can't have an energy-efficient building that hasn't taken control of SHG. Heat needs to be spread evenly throughout the building. The alternative is to blast the radiators in one room when the rest of the place is cool.
Glass roof panels are one way to take charge of this pesky phenomenon – and it's all thanks to their coatings and tinting. They allow you to manage the distribution of solar heat, controlling the temperature throughout the building all year round.
Sustainability
Sustainability has never been higher up on the agendas of governments, businesses and homeowners alike. The need to cut greenhouse gas emissions is widely accepted – and most of our customers think of it as a priority.
Glass roof panels are one way to make your office premises, home or other building sustainable. Like other glass products, they help create comfortable, aesthetically pleasing buildings that are also environmentally friendly. Win-win!
Challenges and considerations
By now, we hope you're sold on the energy-efficient benefits of glass roof panels. But before you commit to anything, there are a few challenges and considerations to keep in mind.
The biggest one is cost. There's no getting around the fact that glass roofs require a significant investment. However, this initial outlay can sometimes be balanced against long-term energy savings.
If you're a homeowner, be aware that you need a specialist installer to fit your glass roof. This is a job for only the bravest of DIYers.
Finally, there's a shatter risk – but this is heightened significantly if you buy poor-quality glass. Get the good stuff and you can rest assured that the roof is structurally sound.
What we offer
At ToughGlaze, we provide
glass roofing sheets that are as robust as they are safe.
They can be toughened or laminated to ensure sturdiness. The laminated variety is so safe, it comes in a "walk-on" version (TG WO). Like all our products, our glass roof panels are Kitemark-approved and manufactured in line with up-to-date UK safety regulations.
But this emphasis on safety doesn't mean there's any compromise in the way it looks. You get to choose from a range of decorative finishes, including
digital printing,
translucent coloured interlayers and
silkscreening.
So, if you're looking for high-quality toughened glass roof panels,
get in touch with ToughGlaze today. We'll get back to you ASAP with a quick, competitive quote.
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