Tag: high performance glass

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Here’s the Simplest Way of Determining the Energy Efficiency of Your Building

Times are changing, and so is the environment consciousness level of people. Today, when it comes to architecture and interior design, the facet of energy efficiency is taking a front seat. Home and office owners are beginning to imagine and create functional, future-proof and environment-proof spaces that do not have a high dependency on artificial energy. And, in their mission to reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings, glass plays a huge role since doors, windows and facades are the primary barriers separating the external environment from the internal environment.

Now, the first step towards making your building energy efficient lies in determining its present efficiency. Only then will you be able to select the right glass glazing in accordance with the results of your building’s energy efficiency determination. So, how does a layman do it?
You might imagine that calculating something such as energy efficiency is beyond your expertise and well within the grasp of only a professional architect, engineer, builder, or an interior designer. Yet, there’s an easier, quicker and extremely reliable way out – carrying out a virtual simulation of your building in the palm of your hands.
Being one of the most innovative glass manufacturers and glass suppliers in the country, AIS also offers an interesting portfolio of architectural mobile applications helpful to the layman. One of them is the AIS Glass Simulator – an app that lets you analyse your building for energy efficiency based on a wide range of parameters. Moreover, the app also recommends the best-suited high-performance glass products from AIS’ extensive portfolio depending upon the analysis of your building.
Easy, right?
With such an innovative application on your phone, you can take an informed decision about choosing the right glass glazing for your home or new project by carrying out a quick simulation anywhere, anytime. All you need to do is input a few details about your building, such as location, shape, orientation, wind-load, etc. On the basis of these parameters, the app will scrutinize your building to create an energy performance profile while also suggesting the most apt glass solution to turn your building energy efficient.
Add to that the extensive Product Catalog with different glass types manufactured by AIS and their details, along with a Project Showcase which features many buildings and projects from all over the country which have different AIS glazing installed, and you have the complete package on your fingertips.
Here are all the benefits of the app in brief:
• Easily analyse your building’s energy performance
• Get an intelligent analysis report
• Save time, energy and money spent on finding the right glazing
• Discover the entire high performance energy efficient glass range by AIS – AIS Ecosense
• Visualize how your chosen glass solution will look in real life
Easy-to-use, informative and helpful! Who knew energy simulation of a building could be this fun?

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How Can You Tackle Air Pollution with Glass?

You would believe that winters in India are welcomed with much celebration as they bring respite from the harsh summer heat. Yet, come November, and suddenly the picture doesn’t look so rosy anymore. Cue the menace of air pollution.
Over the last few years, air pollution levels in urban centres of the country have risen steadily and have now reached alarming levels. This issue is made all the more prominent in the cold weather as fog mixes with the pollutants to give rise to smog – an extremely unhealthy air that we have now become accustomed to breathing.

So, amidst it all, how can glass technology help?
Since one spends the maximum amount of time in a day indoors, either at home or an office, the solution to air pollution lies in staying as far away from it as possible. Such a solution is possible in the realm of architecture wherein our windows and other outlets in the building a sealed and secure enough to prevent any leakage of the polluted air inside. Therefore, all you need is a sophisticated glass window system that will keep you and your loved ones safe from the smog.
Stay safe indoors with Anti-Pollution Windows
Yes, you heard that right. As a leading glass company in India, AIS has always believed in the power of innovation to solve some of the most concerning architectural issues for customers and businesses, be it at homes or offices. With the same spirit of innovation in mind, our experts have created special Anti-Pollution and Anti-Smog Windows retailed by Glasxperts that promise to save you and your loved ones from the damaging effects of air pollution.
The idea, as you might have guessed, revolves around completely sealing air leakages and spaces inside so as to prevent the external environment from leaking inside homes and offices. How is this done? Let’s have a look:

  • Fusion-welded windows with a multi-lock system

High-quality gaskets and joints strongly seal the windows along with exceptional fusion welded joints. Such physical constructs in the specialized window system make it almost impossible for pollutants to enter inside and wreak havoc. Moreover, you can make sure that these windows close extremely tightly with the help of the advanced multipoint locking system in place.

  • Silicon to shut off gaps

A popular material used in various industries, silicon proves its merit in the anti-pollution window in the form of a special sealant that shits down any gaps – both in the window and the adjacent wall.

  • Double glazing in unit glasses

Moving on to the glass, you can rest assured of multi-chambered profiles and multiple layers that make it incredibly difficult for any minute percentage of outside air that has leaked inside to reach beyond the glazing. This advanced technique of providing completely sealed Double Glazing Units also enables the windows to prevent heat and sound to leak inside.

  • The ease of retrofitting

Finally, you might be thinking what a cumbersome and expensive task it would be to remove your existing windows and replace them with special anti-pollution ones. Well, these windows by AIS can be easily retrofitted on any window surface, thus freeing you of all the hassle. Retrofitting essentially means fitting a new window surface on top of the existing one, thus improving the efficiency of the entire system!

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Daylight Analysis & Glazing Selection: A Case Study

Natural lighting is an extremely important part of any building – simply because it is beneficial to both comfort and energy efficiency of an interior space. Having ideal natural lighting inside a building can reduce the dependency on artificial lighting and create a much more holistic environment for rest, relaxation and work.
Yet, enabling the perfect balance of natural light within a building is not merely a function of using a glazing which will reflect heat and filter light. It depends on quite many factors, including the building orientation, the appropriateness of light diffusers installed, and also the kind of façades and windows in place. Thus, architect and building owners must conduct a thorough daylight analysis of any building in order to suggest glass that minimises discomfort and maximises visibility. Only after analysing the results of such a study can one opt for retrofitting buildings with low-E glass or going for a new glazing with the ideal U-value and SHGC.
This is what we performed for a corporate building in Mumbai.
CHALLENGE
A corporate building in Mumbai required an optimum glazing solution to maximize its VLT (visible light transmission) requirement without overdesigning the building.
SOLUTION
Going by the specifications of glass, one with the lowest U-value and SHGC would have been the right solution for the corporate building. Yet the solution was not so easy.
In order to determine the effect of various glazing variants on the building, a daylight analysis was performed. The two glazing variants simulated for the building were Clear Glass (VLT 78%) and high performance glass (VLT 21%). Both the glasses performed identically in terms of achieving the optimal lux levels. Clear Glass, in fact, caused glare in certain portions of the building.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the first case is Clear Glass (VLT = 78%). The pink region shows the area which will have glare, and the grey region indicates sub-optimal lighting. The second case is high-performance glass (VLT = 21%). Here, we can see the reduction in glare area without reducing optimum lux level.
Thus, AIS recommended using high-performance glass in order to reduce cooling load without compromising on the lighting load.
RESULTS
From the study conducted, the following results were deduced:

  • The same fenestration behaves differently depending on the specific design.
  • It should not be assumed that products with low U-Value and SHGC are the best and universal solution.
  • For windows receiving a high amount of solar radiation, products with low SHGC would perform better. Hence, a glazing solution should be selected only after thoroughly analysing the building design.

As mentioned earlier, architects and glass manufacturers have to study various factors in building design before selecting the ideal glazing. An important factor is window orientation and area which allows ideal dispersion of daylight without causing glare or excess heat gain. It has been observed that south-facing windows let in the highest amount of daylight while north-facing windows let in diffused and reflected glare-free light. On the other hand, east- and west-facing windows let in direct sunlight, glare, and heat gain, which are difficult to manage. Thus, different glazing solutions are required for different orientations, especially in the kind of building mentioned in the case study.

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Tackling Common Glass Window and Door Issues in Winter

In India, most parts of the country, that is, the season of winter usually comes as a relief. With the long, scorching summer heat giving way to cooler climes, shorter days and cosy afternoons, winters are usually very well received all over the country. Yet, such a change in the season and the weather is not without its own set of complications, especially for your glass doors and windows.

Bear in mind that glass, aluminium, wood, and uPVC are merely materials that respond to changes in the external environment – temperature being a huge factor. Most materials compress and shrink in the cold, and there is also the issue of dew and condensation that accompanies chilly temperatures. Therefore, preparing your glass window or door before-hand will go a long way in ensuring their longevity and performance during the winters.
Let’s take a look at a few common issues that might plague your glass door or window in the cold, and how you can tackle them expertly:

  1. Condensation

Condensation mainly arises due to a drastic temperature difference around a particular surface. In winters, while the external environment is often cold and dry, our home and office interiors run on conditioned air which is usually warm and, thus, humid. This temperature difference leads to condensation on the surface of the cold window and door glass, thus fogging your view. While some condensation is absolutely normal, if you notice persisting condensation for long periods or some moisture in your window glazing, then it means that moisture might have entered your glass by way of some gap or leakage. This can hamper the insulation of your home. We recommend getting your windows and doors checked for gaps and weather insulation before winter reaches its height.

  1. Leakages

Building on from the previous point, leakages and gaps in your glass door and window can also create drafts, or passages for air flow from outside to inside. If cold air leaks inside your home from the outside, then your home’s energy efficiency and comfort can be compromised. Such drafts are usually signs of old, non-insulating glass which you can replace easily with modern energy-efficient glass and insulated glass units.

  1. Insulation

Apart from cold air, the inability of your door or window glass to retain internal heat can lead to massive heat loss. Such an insulation problem is directly opposite to the one faced by buildings in summer when the desired functionality from glass doors and windows is reflecting solar heat. You can tackle this situation by installing retrofitted insulating glass in over your existing glass doors and windows.

  1. Moisture and rotting

Finally, condensation can also occur on the frames of doors and windows, thus causing deterioration. Humid and warm internal climate during winters can also contribute to moisture entering your old window and door frames, especially if they are made from old wood. The solution for you could be switching to weather- resistant uPVC doors and windows. uPVC is a modern framing material that does not rot or get affected by temperature and climate changes, thus keeping your doors and windows in the healthiest state possible throughout the year.
Take note of the above-mentioned issues and tackle them swiftly for happy winters – both for you and your glass windows and doors!

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Optimal Building Design & Glazing: A Case Study

It is the 21st century, and energy conservation and sustainability in architecture is surely gathering momentum. With one eye fixed ever so intently on the environment and the rising global temperatures, architects are turning to innovation and technology to turn the tables on myopic building design and combat energy inefficiency in our living and working spaces. This is where glass is proving to be their trusted accomplice.
So, when a prominent learning institute in Mumbai approached Asahi India Glass Ltd., the most comprehensive integrated glass company in India, to achieve high performance energy efficiency, we carried out a comprehensive and painstaking glazing and building design analysis to provide a satisfactory solution. Let’s find out how:
Problem
A learning institute in Mumbai wanted to optimize its building design without spending big on glazing solutions. This meant reducing the heat gain inside the building without compromising natural lighting.
Solution

Normally, we have observed that when it comes to glazing solutions providing high performance energy efficiency, architectural glass variants with a lower Solar Factor and lower U-Value are favoured. But to achieve the ideal balance between the building design and glazing feasibility, we had to come up with an optimum solution that offers best return on investment.
Therefore, first we conducted a study to understand the building design. Due to the architecture of the institute, the building’s direct and indirect heat gain had fallen down considerably. This can be explained by Fig. 1:

  • 4 Classrooms located on the north side received diffused light and no direct heat
  • 4 South-facing classrooms were provided with a shading device to prevent direct heat and glare
  • 4 Buffer zones, created by placing the service areas along the east façade and corridors along the west façade, prevented heat ingress in the offices
  • 4 Walls had good insulation properties to prevent long-wave radiations from entering into the building
  • 4 North light provided natural light to a portion of the building

These observations allowed us to fine tune our glazing solution. Ultimately, due to the optimal building design, we could choose a solution which did not have the best specifications (and therefore higher cost) but was a perfect match for the design.

In order to do so, a detailed building energy analysis and simulation was conducted with a huge portfolio of AIS products. Their performance parameters are compared in the table above. Then, we compared the energy saving percentage against cost payback period.
This study is depicted in the Fig 2. As one can see, Spring SGU (Solar Control product from the AIS Ecosense range) which has Solar Factor (SF) = 64%, Visual Light Transmission (VLT) = 65%, and U-Value = 5.4 w/ m2 k performed best out of all the glasses with 17% energy savings and 2 months’ payback period, when compared to base case Clear DGU (double glaze unit).

Results
Thus, by understanding the relationship between building design and glazing type, we could suggest the client a glazing glass with an optimum Solar Factor and U-Value and higher VLT – thus enabling the institute to save on money and recover investment far quicker than imagined.

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Building an Energy-Efficient Tech Park in Bangalore: A Case Study

Bangalore is the IT capital of India without the shadow of a doubt, home to numerous industrial complexes, technological parks and corporate hubs. But what goes on behind the scenes of constructing an IT complex that conforms to ECBC rules of energy efficiency without compromising cost effectiveness or building quality?
As the leading glass manufacturing companies in India, AIS was approached by a leading developer of state-of-the-art Technology Parks for global IT, software and technology enterprises to help build the above-mentioned complex. At the end of the day, AIS helped the client build a world class, energy-efficient building with cutting edge glass solutions.
Here’s the story at a glance.

Problem
As a commercial building, the complex was curvilinear with the longer facades are facing East and West, while the other directions were blocked by service areas and toilets. A solar control glass was proposed to be used in the building with a VLT of 17%, SF of 23% and a good U-Value of 3.7.
However, light transmission was poor. So was the colour of the glass proposed initially.
Solution
In order to figure out the right glass for the complex, AIS carried out a Climactic Analysis for the city of Bangalore (which is located in the Moderate Zone), along with a whole building simulation using 4 different glass variants for a year involving Shadow Analysis.
The studies revealed that since Bangalore rarely had weather extremes, U value of glass could be modified. Similarly, due to the unique geometry of the building, there were barely any differences in energy consumption due to artificial means in the case of the proposed glass and the glass variants used in simulation.
Consequently, AIS proposed the installation of the Blue shade of AIS Ecosense Enhance high performance glass with a better SF of 37, thus reducing capital costs, and a U-value of 5.7 which was an insignificant change.
Results

  1. Cost savings: AIS Ecosense Enhance matched the initially proposed glass in terms of energy efficiency but at a significantly lesser cost.
  2. Operational cost savings: Since AIS Ecosense Enhance’s VLT was better than the proposed glass’s VLT, the need for artificial lighting in the complex was reduced, thus resulting in decreased use of electricity.
  3. Better aesthetics: The Blue shade of AIS Ecosense Enhance brought a refreshing sense of décor to the complex and was widely appreciated by the client.
  4. ECBC compliance: AIS Ecosense Enhance met all the strict energy efficiency norms without any hassle.

This was a significant victory for AIS and also the world of glass – thus reconfirming the critical role glass can play in building green buildings of the future.

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Laminated Glass Types You Should Know About

In the glass industry, laminated glass is held in very high regard. It is an extremely important type of glass that finds numerous applications due to its properties and benefits. In the field of architecture and automobiles, laminated glass is used almost everywhere: laminated glass windows, doors, facades, table-tops, bathrooms, meeting rooms, partitions, cabins, car windscreens, etc.

For the uninitiated, laminated glass  is manufactured by sandwiching a plastic interlayer, usually polyvinyl butyral (PVB), between two or more glass panes. This layer acts like glue and a buffer zone, which provides the glass with many highly beneficial properties like impact resistance, acoustic insulation, temperature control, etc. One very important property of laminated glass is that, if at all it does break, it does not shatter like ordinary glass or tempered glass. The glass sheets crack but do not separate as they remain stuck to the plastic interlayer.

Depending on their usage and functionality, there are many different types of laminated glass available in the market.

1. Laminated Glass

for Noise Cancellation It has become increasingly essential for the interior atmosphere of any building, whether it be a home or an office, to be harmonious and peaceful. This means that all the unwanted external noise and disturbances that might affect people inside need to be eliminated.

In such a scenario, laminated glass varieties that are specifically built to cancel out external noise, such as AIS AcousticglasTM, should be incorporated into the building architecture. This type of glass has a

PVB interlayer that dampens sound by up to 90% and is ideal for not only the building exterior but the partitions, cabins, and meeting rooms inside as well.

2. Laminated Glass

for Security & Safety The primary use for laminated glass comes in the form of reinforcing the safety and security of a building and its interiors. In the architectural segment, high grade specialised laminated glass is used to provide not only protection against heavy impact and damage but also forced entry and intrusion.

Most of these glass types don’t even require grills or shutters and can be combined with multi-locking systems to safeguard your home, office, or retail store. Additionally, laminated safety glass is also highly durable and provides high light transmission as well. Some laminated glass varieties, like the AIS Securityplus TM with Dupont Sentry interlayer, are five times stronger than ordinary laminated glass.

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High Performnace glass Can Build An Eco-Friendly Environment

Eco-friendly literally means earth-friendly. This term refers to products and practices that contribute to green living and help safeguard earth’s natural resources. In order to create a balance in the conservation and preservation of our resources and to minimize the size of our ecological footprints, this green lifestyle should be adapted by every individual.
What can one do to make this lifestyle a part of his daily life?
Invest in eco-friendly products and practices!
Glass-Your first step towards green living
One such product that has the capability of regenerating energy and maintaining sustainability is glass! This green product has been inspiring architects around the globe by its multitudinous benefits and its demand is increasing by the day!
Uses:
Glass can be used to insulate interiors, in flooring & stairs, in doors & windows, walkways, cabins, balustrades, bathroom vanities, wardrobes, benches & table tops, pool fences and many more areas.
Each variant has its own unique benefits that will help you achieve your own comfort zone.

Best place to buy Glass products!
AIS is India’s leading integrated glass manufacturer. We offer myriad solutions depending on the need of your project and customized solutions to cater to every need in glass. We also provide you with customized solutions according to your requirements.
Our solutions will help you achieve a delicate balance between aesthetic appeal and functionality, provide natural lighting, control temperatures, endorse energy efficiency, cost effectiveness and promote a green lifestyle!
How can it be useful to create an eco-friendly environment?
With AIS glass, creating an eco-friendly environment is possible as the products can be recycled almost forever. Besides, they also come with a 5- start rating that consumes 40% less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional bulbs. With AIS products, you are guaranteed to keep your homes cooler during summer and warmer during winter. AIS glass also offers energy-efficient and at the same time also helps you increase the aesthetic value of your green structure. With us, you will also be able to leave in peace and help in reducing the carbon footprint.

Conclusion
At AIS, we incessantly strive to fortify our ecological commitment by expanding our offerings of eco-friendly glass and glass products each day. So choose AIS and make your offices and homes a greener place!

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How green buildings can help reduce electricity bills?

With the ever-changing environment around us, it’s important to be ecologically conscious and active. One way to contribute towards this is by building a green home. There is a vast difference in an emission-producing powerhouse and a greenhouse.
A greenhouse/building is far healthier to live in, provides improved indoor air quality, is more comfortable, yields high returns when it comes to energy savings, impacts positively on the environment, reduces the use of natural resources and definitely is cost-effective!
The concept
A green building/home, typically, is designed and constructed in a manner to enable resources to be used more efficiently. It is made with energy-efficient, cost-effective and sustainable materials.
One such material is glass! Usage of the right glass can reduce conservation of electricity in more ways than one.

AIS, India’s leading integrated glass manufacturer provides a range of energy-efficient glass products that serve the needs of new-age green buildings and help you reduce your electricity bills. Some of the products that they offer are:-
AIS Sunshield:
If building a green home is your goal, then using a sustainable material like AIS Sunshield is an apt choice. It reduces the impact of construction on the environment. Its advanced solar control technology effectively reduces glare and heat. This high-performance product offers you a host of unmatched benefits that improve the energy-efficiency of your homes and commercial spaces, reduces your electricity bills and helps you live green.
AIS Ecosense:
Ecosense from AIS offers countless benefits that will help you build a green home. This glass is custom made to reflect the sun’s UV rays, thereby keeping the interiors cool. It allows in as much day-light as possible, considerably reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day, thereby reducing electricity bills. This glass is energy-efficient and at the same time also helps you increase the aesthetic value of your green structure.
 AIS Opal:
Insulation is the biggest factor that you need to consider while building a green home. As you know heating and cooling account for 50% of your home’s energy consumption.
In this hot weather, wouldn’t it be nice if your windows reflected back the sun’s heat automatically? And in the winters helped heat from escaping? This is possible with AIS Opal glass range. AIS Opal’s solar control properties improve insulation minimizing the possibility of air leaks contributing to lesser energy consumption. Its solar control characteristic also prevents heat from entering the building making it the best choice for your green home.

Apart from using the materials listed above, you should also consider the location of your home/office, size, equipment, rainwater harvesting systems and eco-friendly lighting.
These materials and aspects will definitely reduce your electricity bills and contribute to a greener tomorrow.
 

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