Insulated glass or double glazing as it is more commonly referred to consist of two sheets of glass separated by a sealed inner core filled with air which provides insulation. IGU reduces thermal transfer between indoor and outdoor environment. The reduction of air-to-air heat transfer results and provides a comfortable interior room environment. IGU is manufactured with imported raw materials to assure consistent high quality. The various parts of a Single or Double glazed IGU are:
Spacer: This provides for the requisite space in between glass panes. 8,10,12,15 mm spacer is available.
Desiccant: These are molecular sieves deposited in the spacer frame to absorb water vapor entrapped in between glass panes to maintain absolute transparency.
Primary Sealant: Bonds two glass panes absolutely. Poly iso butyl is normally used.
Secondary Sealant: Avoids permeability of external atmospheric air in to the IGU. Silicone sealant is used.
IGU can be made with very many combinations of glass panes:
- Plain glass as one side and reflective glass/ low emissivity glass on other side.
- Plain glass on both sides.
- Tempered / Heat strengthened glass for outer side and Annealed glass for inside.
- Tinted glass on outer side and plain glass for inside.
These combinations can be chosen depending upon individual requirement. The average reduction in noise levels when using IGU will be 45 decibels, heat reduction ranging between 70 to 80% depending upon the performance of the outer lite and savings on air-conditioning cost will be around 30%. The desiccant granules placed in the aluminium spacer frame (hollow) absorbs the moisture in between the glass panes to make it absolutely clear.
Manufacturing Process
Two layers of toughened glass separated by an air space. Ideally both lites can be of 6mm thick or higher thickness depending upon the size of the glass pane and the wind speed in the area of application. The air space is provided by a porous aluminium spacer in natural anodized or color anodized finish. The size of this spacer can be 8 *6.5mm, 10*6.5mm, 12*6.5mm, 15*6.5mm. The inside of the spacer frame is filled with desiccant molecular sieves which absorbs water vapour entrapped between the glass lites. The corners of the spacers are keyed with UPVC corner keys. The primary bonding of the spacer and the glass lites is with poly iso butyl sealant (primary sealant). The secondary sealing is done with silicone sealant and this prevents permeability of external air/water vapour into the double glazed unit.
Benefits
- Reduces energy costs
- Heat and sound insulation, thus improving living comfort/ environment inside the building
- During summer, IGU help reduce the amount of heat entering the building where as during winter they create a warmer interior
- Reduction of UV rays entering into building.
Trivandrum, Kerala 
