AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a software application for Computer Aided Design (CAD) used in Design, Construction and Architecture. It can create either 2D or 3D computerised images of you IQ Glassroom, including its construction and fine detailing.

Solar Gain

Solar Gain is the increase in temperature of a space via the radiant heat from the sun. Objects struck by sunlight travelling through your glass inside your property will absorb the short wave radiation from the sun’s rays and emit longer wave infrared. These Longer wavelengths cannot travel as effectively through glass and other materials and will be trapped in your internal space causing temperature rises. 

Low-E Coatings

Low-Emittance coatings are microscopically thin coatings applied to the internal face of nearly every double and triple glazed unit nowadays. The coating is designed to reduce the U value of your windows by reducing radiant heat flow through the glass pane, thus making you windows a more effective barrier to cold external climates. 

U-Values

The U value is the measurement of the rate of heat loss through a material or component of your build. The lower the U-Value the less heat loss and the more thermally efficient your window system. 

UG Value

– a UG value is the centre pane u-value for the glass itself. This can be improved by using a highly insulating glass pane such as IQ’s ‘Super Insulating Glass’.

UW Value

– the UW value is the U-value of the whole glazing system including the framework. All framework surrounding glass must be an effective Thermal Break between the internal and external spaces. The UW value depends on the UG value of the glass as well as any associated framework and fixings to the building. 

Thermal Break

A thermal break is a break in the material of your building envelope by a lower heat conducting material. For example spacer bars in double glazed units act as a thermal break between the internal and external pane of glass. This stops heat transferring effectively across framing systems, stopping the internal framework from getting cold in the winter. 

Light transmission

Light Transmission is the amount of light that travels through the transparent surface of your IQ Glassroom without being absorbed of scattered/reflected. 

Low Iron Glass

Low Iron glass is produced with low iron content, increasing light transmittance and reducing ‘greening’ that occurs in thicker panes of glass or when you stack multiple panes together, for example in glass beams, leaving a highly transparent, clear glass.

Toughened Glass

Toughened glass is used when strength, thermal resistance and safety are important considerations. It is used for its characteristic of shattering into small cubes rather than large shards and is sometimes referred to as safety glass in this context. 

Toughened glass is also used in buildings for unframed assemblies (such as frameless doors), structurally loaded applications, and any other application that would become dangerous in the event of human impact.

Toughened glass is made via a thermal tempering process. The glass is placed onto a roller table, taking it through a furnace that heats it above 720 °C. The glass is then rapidly cooled with forced air drafts.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is created by bonding two or more layers of toughened glass together with an interlayer. The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken, and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. This produces a characteristic "spider web" cracking pattern when the impact is not enough to completely pierce the glass.

Laminated glass is normally used when the glass could fall if shattered. Skylight glazing and glass roofs typically use laminated glass. In geographical areas requiring hurricane-resistant construction, laminated glass is often used in exterior storefronts, curtain walls and windows.

Powder Coating

Powder coating is a frame finish that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin". It is used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. 

Anodised Finish

Anodising is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface of your frameworks into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Aluminium is ideally suited to anodizing and can be anodised to various finishes ie, silver/bronze. 

This anodized finish is not applied to the surface like powder coating, but is fully integrated with the underlying aluminium substrate, so it cannot chip or peel.

In the same vain, if the finish is scratched it cannot be ‘touched up’ or covered as the finish is part of the metal frame.

RAL Colour

RAL colours are a standard set of colours with corresponding codes used in architecture, construction and design.

Read more at: Ral Colour

Code for Sustainable Homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes has been introduced to drive a step-change in sustainable home building practice. It is a standard for key elements of design and construction which affect the sustainability of a new home. 

Read more about The Code for Sustainable Homes at: Planning Portal