We ’ re all familiar with Window Energy Ratings ( WERs ) and the importance of low U-values for windows and doors . But if you are not offering the option of a low U-value glass with enhanced solar control capabilities , particularly in combination with integral blinds , you could be missing out on sales as homeowners increasingly prioritise comfort in their homes .

Despite a relatively gloomy and slightly cooler 2024 , the long term trend is that the UK is getting sunnier and warmer . These changes in our climate are having a massive impact on our homes , essentially meaning that we are more likely to experience overheating than in previous decades . And it doesn ’ t actually have to be sunny to make our homes overheat – warm , humid and cloudy conditions are enough to cause internal temperatures to rise .

Going beyond WERs – sell the benefits of comfort

Any experienced installer will know that new windows and doors can instantly transform a home by making it warmer , quieter and more visually appealing . And that ’ s a powerful selling point when we think of customers wanting to stay warm and lower their energy bills during winter . But what about the rest of the year when the sun is stronger and temperatures are higher ?

This is where Planitherm One solar control glass from Saint- Gobain comes into its element . It is one of the glass options we offer for Uni-Blinds ® integral blinds because of its dual functionality , enabling our installers to gain an edge over their competitors who are selling on the benefits of compliance level thermal insulation alone .

Firstly , Planitherm One offers a higher level of thermal insulation with a U-value of just 1.0 W / m 2 K – as the name suggests – compared to 1.4 in a double glazed unit made using Planitherm Total Plus . Planitherm One , therefore , offers a level of insulation we would expect to see specified in properties built to the highest levels of energy efficiency . But it also provides greater solar control because of its low g-value , and this is why it reduces the potential for overheating in a property .

To put it into perspective , a double glazed unit manufactured using a standard low E glass typically has a g-value of 0.73 . That means 73 % of solar energy passes through the sealed unit and 27 % is blocked . The same glass unit made using Planitherm One has a g-value of 0.49 , so only 49 % of solar energy transmits through the glass and more than half is blocked .

Better solar control can mean greater temperature stability inside our homes , resulting in improved comfort all year round . Feedback from many Uni-Blinds ® installers is that integral blinds combined with Planitherm One can be a winning combination for homeowners , who often see the additional premium for improved thermal insulation combined with solar control as excellent lifetime value in the context of their overall spend on their window or door project .

Integral blinds + Planitherm One = outstanding comfort control

The difference that Planitherm One can make in terms of reducing the risk of overheating is one of the reasons why Morley Glass often recommends it for integral blind units intended for larger windows and doors on sunnier aspects . It further enhances our integral blinds which already give homeowners the ability to control the amount of heat and sunlight entering their home with ease .

Specify Uni-Blinds ® integral blinds with Planitherm One and your customers get the additional benefit of increased heat reflection on sunny days , whether the blinds are open or closed . The glass works in the background , reducing solar energy passively in the same way that low U-value IGUs keep the heat inside the home

in winter . And the great thing about Planitherm One is that it does both .

To find out more about the different types of integral blinds available in the Uni- Blinds ® range and the benefits of combining them with Planitherm One glass , visit www . morleyglass . co . uk .