A clear advantage with next gen Glow Glass

Paul Higgins, commercial director of glass manufacturer TuffX, says that with ‘the new normal’ of higher energy prices, embracing product innovation is key for installers to increase their profit margins through next generation glass technology such as Glow.  

Glow heated glass is a revolutionary product that transforms glass into a primary heat source. Unlike conventional glass, Glow incorporates an electrically conductive coating, which, when powered, turns the glass itself into an efficient radiant heater.

This technology is integrated into bi-fold doors, tiled conservatory roof glass infill panels, and other applications, eliminating the need for bulky radiators and freeing up valuable wall space. It provides a modern aesthetic that enhances interior design without compromising on comfort.

Glow heated glass units are installed like standard insulating glass units (IGUs), but with an additional step: a simple electrical connection. This connection is hardwired into the property’s electrical system and is controlled using a thermostat, similar to underfloor heating. When activated, the layers of intelligent coatings within the Glow units convert electrical energy into radiant heat, warming objects and people directly rather than just heating the air.

One of the remarkable aspects of Glow technology is its invisibility. There are no visible wires or heating elements, ensuring a clear and sleek appearance. Despite the heating functionality, the glass retains its clarity and aesthetic appeal, seamlessly blending into architectural designs.

For installers, Glow offers a straightforward solution that can be fitted similarly to standard IGUs, with minimal additional work required for electrical wiring. This ease of installation provides an opportunity to upsell and increase profit margins, while giving clients a unique, cutting-edge product that stands out from traditional options.

The true magic of Glow heated glass lies in experiencing it firsthand. The warmth from Glow is unlike conventional heating—it is direct, radiant, and immediate. This tactile experience is why we encourage anyone interested in Glow to visit our TuffX headquarters for a live demonstration. It’s only when you touch the glass and feel the warmth that you fully understand how this technology can transform the comfort of a living space.

According to one recent report from consultancy firm, Cornwall Insight, high domestic energy prices are likely to be ‘the new normal’ for the foreseeable future. it is an unwelcome reminder for UK homeowners that it is now more expensive than ever to keep their property warm throughout the winter.

This presents big problems especially for lower income households but for those with the money to spend, it also serves to highlight the advantages of investing in products that can help to reduce energy bills in the long term. This explains why energy efficiency is currently one of the main drivers for sales in the home improvement sector and why some companies have invested in energy calculators, designed to illustrate the advantages of new windows and doors to homeowners at the point of sale.

While window and door systems have developed to become more energy efficient, glazing technology has also evolved and at TuffX, we have invested considerable resources in the development of our next generation Glow glass – a product that not only helps to deliver outstanding U values, but actually represents a whole new way of heating a home.

The advantages for homeowners are clear. Glow delivers a comfortable heat, allowing a conservatory or extension to be a welcoming space in winter months while reducing energy consumption and lowering energy bills. As an added bonus it also helps to eliminate condensation on glass and frees up valuable wall space that would otherwise be used by conventional radiators.

Glow bi-fold doors conform with EN12150 and EN1279 Parts 1 to 4, available in double or triple glazing which means they are compliant to the Future Homes Standard 2025-2 – another key selling point for environmentally conscious consumers as well as a vital element for new build projects – and they also deliver U-Values as low as 0.7W/m2K further demonstrating their energy efficiency performance.

For installers

Bi-folds or glass infill panels can be handled and fitted in exactly the same way as regular products – apart from a relatively simple electrical wiring job to activate them – which means the opportunity to upsell and build profit margin is significant.

And for the increasing number of properties that are already benefitting from solar panels, Glow heated glass is an even bigger customer benefit and in turn an advanced selling point for the installer market as a whole.

Of course, Glow is not the only product in the TuffX portfolio that has been designed to cleverly manage temperatures in conservatories and extensions.

Our Infinity rooflights, for example, have been developed to reflect twice as much heat as standard glass. Some competitor products that are designed to reduce solar gain can only do so by incorporating darker tints but TuffX Infinity glass performs without compromising the amount of light that can pass through it.

Rooflights are a great way of flooding an interior space with natural light but if that means bringing in excessive heat – an issue that is even more of a problem when looking to meet Approved Document O regulations – then Infinity rooflights present a fantastic solution for those who want consistently comfortable temperatures all year round.

Infinity rooflights are also fitter friendly – they can be installed in just 10 minutes as we ensure they arrive on site fully encapsulated within the frame – they’re available on a four-to-five-day lead time and come complete with a 10-year guarantee for added peace of mind.

Future proof solutions

The market continues to be challenging for installers and the new normal of higher energy prices will only serve to challenge consumer confidence into 2025.

Opportunities do however remain and especially with homeowners who are willing and able to invest now in order to mitigate against unwanted costs in the long term, but if installers are to take advantage of this, then it’s crucial that they are equipped with standout products, to attract the attention of end users and rise above the competition.

At TuffX, thanks to innovations such as Glow and Infinity, we are ideally placed to support installers in doing just that, helping them to grow their business with fitter friendly, high-quality products that are designed to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of a home.