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The triple glazing question
Nine years on , has the answer changed ?
Edgetech Managing Director Chris Alderson asks if triple glazing might finally become the norm for UK fenestration in the decade ahead .
Nine years ago , Edgetech hosted an event designed to answer one question : was triple glazing the future for the UK fenestration industry ?
In 2014 , after much debate and nuanced discussion , the general feeling in the room appeared to be that no , triple glazing was unlikely to supersede double glazing soon .
Triple glazing certainly had its place but mass manufacturing it would be hugely challenging , with the potential for much disruption during the transition .
Some also questioned how sustainable it would be , reasoning that the extra emissions produced by transporting heavier triple glazed units could cancel out any gains made .
The consensus in the room was clear – it was far more likely the sector would opt for ‘ clever doubles ’ instead .
This prediction was largely proven correct . Manufacturers mostly have focused on producing innovative , thermally efficient double-glazing rather than triple .
However , nearly a decade later , that same question is rising again , and this time the sector ’ s answer may be different .
Changing regulations Why is the glass and glazing industry discussing the merits of triple glazing once more in 2023 ?
It ’ s a complex question , but ultimately , it ’ s in response to changing legislation .
Back in 2014 , many in the industry were very concerned about climate change , arguing that energy efficiency was a key part of the solution .
However , in general , it was still considered a less significant issue by the public compared to how it is viewed presently .
In the years since , that ’ s dramatically changed . Countries around the world have made binding commitments to reach net zero by 2050 .
People in the UK are now much more concerned and engaged with the environment as an issue , putting pressure on the government to address the escalating crisis .
Last year , this was demonstrated by the updated Part L of Building Regulations which tightened energy efficiency requirements for windows .
As a result , replacement windows in existing dwellings now must deliver U Values of no more than 1.4 , while in new builds they are required to be under 1.6 . Whilst not an enormous leap from the standard required previously , this still meant manufacturers around the country had to rethink their products to accommodate for this change .
Furthermore , there ’ s a much bigger change on the horizon . In 2025 , the government ’ s Future Home Standard is due to come into effect , designed to ensure new properties produce 75-80 % less carbon than existing ones .
Whilst we do not currently know exactly what the new regulations will entail , it will inevitably demand window units offer even greater thermal efficiency than the new Part L . Some in the industry are speculating that it could even demand U Values as low as 0.8 – the same as Passivhaus .
Will triple become the norm ? ‘ Clever doubles ’ have served the industry very well for the last ten years .
If 0.8 does become the new industry standard , however , it ’ s unlikely they will be able to provide the level of performance required . At that stage , the industry will have to start seriously exploring triple glazing again .
Whilst the challenges that manufacturers will face if triple becomes the norm are the same today as they were in 2014 , I suspect many manufacturers may decide those challenges are now worth facing .
Automation could help to ease this transition . Edgetech has recently seen a surge in interest in it , as manufacturers seek to deal with continuing skills shortages combined with their aims to increase efficiency and improve productivity .
However , if more IGU manufacturers do decide to take this path , it ’ s important that they act now . The Future Homes Standard doesn ’ t come into force until 2025 but the lead time for automated spacer application lines installation can reach up to a year .
Order one in 2023 and it won ’ t be up and running until 2024 , only allowing for a matter of months to prepare for what will be a major transition as the new regulations come into force .
Edgetech can help you every step of the way . If you ’ re interested in finding out more , please don ’ t hesitate to get in touch .
www . edgetechig . co . uk
70 JUNE 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM