TRIPLE GLAZING TECHNOLOGY
Regency Glass is proud to sponsor the Triple Glazing Technology feature
Why integral blinds complete the ultimate triple glazing offer
Ian Short, Managing Director of Uni-Blinds ® manufacturer Morley Glass, explains why triple glazing complete with integral blinds can take window and door appeal to a whole new level.
The demand for triple glazing is growing all the time as more and more homeowners recognise the benefits it offers versus double glazed units. While many people are attracted to the main advantage of triple glazing – its higher thermal insulation – many are also drawn to the potential for greater security and improved acoustics.
This means triple glazing is changing from being a niche product into one that’ s mainstream. The slow but steady growth we’ ve seen in triple glazing’ s market share over the past decade looks set to accelerate rapidly in the coming years, offering excellent sales potential for those installation companies with the right proposition.
Homeowners will be aware that triple glazing comes at an additional cost but they will still need to be convinced their extra investment is worth it. Hence, why it is important to provide triple glazed windows and doors capable of delivering all the benefits they are expecting, and some they may be unaware of, which could include integral blinds to provide an integrated shading and privacy system.
It is also important to note that legislation is accelerating demand for triple glazing too, most notably through the Future Homes Standard. This will demand triple glazing in all but name to meet the improved building fabric and thermal insulation performance required in new homes.
How do integral blinds work within a 44mm triple glazed unit?
With most PVC-U and aluminium profiles designed for triple glazed units with a depth of up to 44mm, the cavities available for fitting integral blinds are usually going to be no greater than 16mm. This is due to the most used triple glazing configuration – three 4mm panes and two 16mm cavities in a 4-16-4-16-4mm arrangement.
This is at odds with the 20mm cavity that most standard integral blinds require. However, this is not the case for the slimline ScreenLine ® SL16 integral Venetian blind system, which is exclusively available in the UK from Morley Glass in the Uni-Blinds ® portfolio.
The key to the SL16’ s compatibility is its narrower 10mm slats, rather than the 12mm slats in standard integral blind systems. This means it will fit comfortably within a 16mm cavity. And once sealed within the triple glazed unit, the SL16 offers all the benefits you would expect from a world-leading ScreenLine ® system – sleek aesthetics, virtually maintenance-free, no need for cleaning and reliable functionality over a long service life.
The SL16 is available in two manually operated versions – a
cord-pull operated system, the SL16C, and one that is raised, lowered and tilted using a magnetic slider, the SL16S. In addition, a new brushless motorised version has just been launched, the SL16MB, offering a premium solution with smart home compatibility.
Providing an IGU that’ s got it all!
By including integral blinds in a triple glazed IGU, it is possible to provide homeowners and housebuilders with the ultimate functionality in their windows and doors. They will have the passive benefits of enhanced thermal and acoustic insulation, plus the active function of a blind that controls levels of light to help prevent glare and overheating in strong sunlight along with privacy as and when required.
And this can be a powerful selling point to customers who already value the premium associated with triple glazing. For some homeowners, particularly those looking at triple glazing for their replacement windows and doors as a long term investment, the appeal of the additional privacy and shading functionality could be extremely attractive.
www. morleyglass. co. uk
38 MARCH 2026 CLEARVIEW-UK. COM