GLASS & SEALED UNITS Extra
Proud sponsor of Glass & Sealed Units Extra
Providing customers with more sustainable choices
BY IAN SHORT , MD OF MORLEY GLASS
When we think about what makes a window and door ‘ sustainable ’, high levels of thermal insulation will usually be the first thing that springs to mind . Important as that is , however , there is so much more to sustainability than cutting the amount of energy used to heat our homes .
As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent , many consumers are seeking out more sustainable products and services , particularly those in higher income brackets . This is being reflected in the growing sales of electric cars , but also heat pumps to replace gas boilers , and triple glazing .
Hence why giving environmentally conscious customers the information they are looking for to inform their home improvement buying decisions when they are embarking on renovation , extension or new build project is extremely important .
That ’ s significant when considering integral blinds . They can be much more than just an aesthetic or practical upgrade to the home – they can actually help save energy and , when you choose Uni-Blinds ®, there ’ s the added benefit that the products are being made with a dedicated focus on saving resources , reducing glass waste and helping the environment more broadly .
Preventing heat loss and gain Let ’ s start with the performance benefits possible with a high specification integral blind unit such as our Uni-Blinds ®, which are all manufactured using worldclass ScreenLine ® systems .
By integrating a Venetian or pleated ScreenLine ® blind within the double or triple glazed unit , we are providing an extra barrier to heat transmission , which means it can keep warmth inside the property . On the flip side , during the summer when the sunlight is strong , the blind can prevent excessive heating of the room , particularly with larger expanses of glass such as bi-folding doors .
The result is that the property owner may be able to use less energy for heating in winter and less electricity in summer to keep cool . The latter is a particularly important factor given that more UK homeowners are considering installing air conditioning units due to the effects of climate change , and this might increase further if we average 27 ° C during British summers by 2050 as is forecast .
Advanced sealed unit performance
Integral blinds from Morley Glass can be made using several different types of glass to offer superior thermal insulation and solar control . This means the sealed unit ’ s performance can be far better than that of standard IGUs , and this can be a powerful combination given the blocking effect of the blind .
Uni-Blinds ® can be specified with Saint- Gobain Glass products including Cool-Lite SKN 176 , which is an excellent thermal insulator with very low U-values possible , and Planitherm 4S , a solar control glass that perfectly manages solar gain whilst still retaining heat inside the room when it ’ s cold outside .
Glass with a recycling ‘ closed loop ’ focus
An important sustainability benefit of the glass used in Uni-Blinds ® integral blinds units is that it contains nearly 40 % recycled glass content . That is actually the industry ’ s highest level of recycled content in new glass , achieved without any impact on the clarity and long term quality of the glass .
In addition , Morley Glass is working to ensure old ‘ post-consumer ’ double glazed units that our installer customers remove
during their work to install new integral blind units can be crushed and re-manufactured into new glass – at no cost to our customers . Our pioneering partnership with Saint-Gobain Glass is helping to divert window glass away from landfill , saving vast amounts of virgin raw materials and energy because using more crushed glass ‘ cullet ’ means less energy is needed to heat the furnace .
Supporting environmental and social improvements
Saving raw materials and energy , however , is not the only sustainability benefit of this recycling scheme . Every penny raised through the production of cullet goes into a fund that offers grants of £ 500 to charities , groups and individuals who are working to deliver environmental and social improvements in their local community .
The good causes we ’ ve supported to date range from ‘ village in bloom ’ groups and primary school projects to amateur sports teams and a unique initiative to help young people develop their entrepreneurial skills .
www . morleyglass . co . uk
76 SEPTEMBER 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM