According to Peterborough based glass and glazing specialist, SafeGuard, we’re all familiar with the age old problem of how to consistently incorporate ‘21st century glass technology’ into ‘aesthetically appropriate’ double glazed units for traditional and historic or listed properties.
SafeGuard believes it’s an issue our industry has grappled with for decades and points out that the issue was recently highlighted by the GGF, which drew attention to the lack of specific test evidence available to date for IGUs constructed with an edge-depth seal less than that usually seen in standard units.
But now, SafeGuard claims there is a ‘fully certified solution’ after it reportedly became the first company in the UK to achieve EN1279 Parts 2 and 3 across a range of heritage IGUs.
The results, released recently by BSI, are said to show the company’s Clarity Classic range of slim units ‘sailed through’ the moisture penetration index and gas loss rate tests.
Nick Welsh, managing director at SafeGuard, explained: “This is a significant milestone for the fenestration industry as a whole when it comes to heritage glass units and I’m proud that SafeGuard is leading the way. The achievement pays testament to the depth and breadth of technical, glass know-how SafeGuard has acquired during our 21-year heritage. We’ve always been inundated with requests for us to make heritage units from our existing customer base and from further a-field but we have always resisted the temptation until we were able to offer a suitably tested and certified product that we were happy to put our name to. Now this optimum combination of high performance coatings, sealant and gas filling incorporated into our Clarity Classic range, means customers can rely on our third party independently tested Kitemark compliance for consistent quality and performance.
“With just an 8.5mm sightline, the IGUs which can achieve as low as 1.1W/m2K, offer the best of both worlds in terms of aesthetics and energy performance. The units genuinely have the appearance of single glazing so retain the character, charm and heritage of a building and when glazed into sash or casement windows, and are almost undetectable with none of the double reflections you sometimes see with standard IGUs. Further authenticity can be provided by incorporating one of our restoration glasses on the outer leaf to give an appearance in keeping with the period of the property.
“This latest news comes on the back of our recent multi-million investment into new cutting, toughening and IGU manufacturing equipment at our 28,000ft2 manufacturing facility, so we have capacity in place to service our customers who now for the first time have access to Part 2 and 3 compliant heritage units. Our mission has always been to provide ‘clear solutions in glass’, with the focus being on solutions. That’s why we’d be delighted to talk to any window companies who have traditionally struggled to service the heritage sector, but who can see the massive replacement opportunity that together we can now offer with this latest solution.”
Glen Horrocks of Solutions UK (IG), the systems developer, endorsed these results: “We have been working on a robust workable solution for 4mm units for some time now in conjunction with Fenzi Sealant Laboratories. We are extremely pleased that SafeGuard can now comply with legislation and offer a product to the market with confidence.”
