mineral / Glass / Processed Glass

Solar control glass, reflective coating (6mm, 8mm, 10mm as single pane or in IGU)

High-performance architectural glass with metallic oxide coating for solar control, reducing heat gain by 40-91% whilst maintaining 2-75% visible light transmission. Suitable for Australian climates with proven 20-40% energy savings.

Atlas code
MIN-GLA-PRO-009
mineralglasssolar-controlenergy-efficientreflective-coatingIGUcurtain-wall
Solar control glass, reflective coating (6mm, 8mm, 10mm as single pane or in IGU)
At-a-glance signals

High-performance architectural glass with metallic oxide coating for solar control, reducing heat gain by 40-91% whilst maintaining 2-75% visible light transmission. Suitable for Australian climates with proven 20-40% energy savings.

Overview
Executive summary

Solar control glass with reflective coating is manufactured by applying thin layers of metal oxides (typically silver, titanium, or chromium based) to float glass during or after production. The coating selectively filters solar radiation, blocking infrared and UV whilst allowing controlled visible light transmission. Available in online (hard coat) pyrolytic or offline (soft coat) magnetron sputtered variants, with performance varying by coating type, number of silver layers, and glass configuration.

Best when…
  • Reduces cooling energy consumption by 20-40%
  • Blocks up to 99% of harmful UV radiation
  • Maintains natural daylighting (VLT 2-75% selectable)
  • Reduces glare and visual discomfort
  • Available in multiple aesthetic colours and finishes
  • Compatible with laminating and tempering processes
  • Contributes to Green Star and NABERS ratings
  • Proven 20-30 year service life in Australian conditions
  • Can achieve acoustic ratings up to STC 40 in IGU configuration
  • Non-combustible with AS 1530.1 compliance
Top advantages
  1. 01 Reduces cooling energy consumption by 20-40%
  2. 02 Blocks up to 99% of harmful UV radiation
  3. 03 Maintains natural daylighting (VLT 2-75% selectable)
  4. 04 Reduces glare and visual discomfort
  5. 05 Available in multiple aesthetic colours and finishes
Top limitations
  1. 01 Higher initial cost ($200-600/m² for electrochromic variants)
  2. 02 Potential for thermal stress breakage if not heat-treated
  3. 03 Soft coat variants require edge deletion for IGU assembly
  4. 04 Can interfere with mobile signals (metallic coatings)
  5. 05 Requires professional installation and glazing expertise
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
2500 kg/m³
Specific gravity
2.5
Porosity
0 %
Water absorption
0 %
Hardness
6.5
UV resistance
99
Chemical resistance
Excellent // Glass property
pH tolerance
3-11
Surface roughness
1 µm
Mechanical ·7
Tensile strength
40 MPa
Compressive strength
1000 MPa
Flexural strength
45 MPa
Shear strength
20 MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.22
Impact resistance
AS 1288 compliant // When tempered
Creep resistance
Excellent // Glass does not creep
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
25.75
Carbon footprint
1240
Embodied energy
155 MJ/kg
Water footprint
12 L/kg
Recycled content
20 %
Renewable content
0 %
Circular score
8
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·5
Combustibility class
Non-combustible // AS 1530.1 compliant
Fire resistance level
Non-rated // Standard glass not fire-rated
Flame spread index
0
Smoke dev. index
0
Heat release rate
0
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
Material cost (range)
100-250 // AUD/m² for standard solar control
Material cost (per unit)
175
Lead time
2-6 weeks // Depending on specification
Lifecycle cost
350
Annual maintenance
5
Market availability
Good // Multiple suppliers in Australia
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
25
Maintenance interval
6
Warranty period
10
Layer D

Where it's used

Commercial curtain wall systems
High-rise residential facades
Retail shopfronts requiring solar control
Airport terminals and transport hubs
Educational facility glazing
Healthcare facility windows
Skylights and overhead glazing
Spandrel panels in unitised systems
Double skin facade systems
Bushfire-prone area glazing (BAL-12.5 to BAL-40)
MIN-GLA-PRO-009 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.