By Chris Davis, business development team for H.B. Fuller Kömmerling.
Thin triple insulating glass is currently one of the most innovative topics in the glass industry.
As a forward-looking solution for maximum energy efficiency combined with reduced installation depth, insulating glass units with ultra-thin intermediate panes offer enormous potential, for both energetic modernisation of existing buildings and demanding new construction projects.
The feasibility of these systems is fundamentally based on the use of reactive thermoplastic spacer systems such as Ködispace 4SG from H.B. Fuller Kömmerling.
This reactive TPS system chemically bonds with the glass and secondary sealant, ensures a permanently gas-tight seal, supports automated production processes, and provides a durable, structurally stable edge seal – even with extremely thin intermediate panes.
Thin triple IGUs (insulating glass units) are gaining international importance. In North America, driven by energy efficiency programs and standardised system architectures, the technology is already on its way to broad industrial application.
In Europe, the introduction of initial production lines is now beginning, with significant potential for the commercial and renovation markets. This new generation of ultra-thin triple glazing is considered the next milestone in the development of highly thermally insulating glazing systems.
By using a particularly thin intermediate pane, the overall thickness of the unit can be significantly reduced, while maintaining thermal performance comparable to conventional triple glazing.
In addition to material and weight savings, this construction primarily offers a future-proof solution to one of the most urgent issues in the construction industry: energetic renovation.
Thin triple IGUs make it possible to retain existing window and façade structures while still meeting increasing demands for energy efficiency, sustainability, and resource conservation.
The general construction of thin triple IGUs resembles conventional triple glazing but differs by a significantly reduced thickness of the intermediate pane. This constructive optimisation substantially decreases the overall unit thickness which is a crucial advantage when integrating into existing frame and façade systems.
While classic triple glazing often requires structural adjustments, thin triple IGUs can frequently be installed in existing setups including replacements for double glazing.
Despite their compact design, thin triple IGUs achieve U-values at the level of high-quality triple glazing. Beyond the clear advantages in thermal insulation, they often also improve sound insulation and offer – compared to conventional triple glazing – enhanced light transmission through optimised coating systems and reduced glass mass, enabling bright, user-friendly interiors.
From an ecological perspective, this technology also sets standards: less glass means lower CO₂ emissions during manufacturing and transport. The reduced weight furthermore facilitates handling on site and positively affects structural requirements, especially in multi-story or ventilated façades.
Reactive TPS system
The feasibility of thin triple IGUs places high demands on materials and manufacturing technologies. In particular, the delicate, ultra-thin intermediate pane requires especially precise and process-secure handling to reliably produce permanently gas-tight and thus highly energy-efficient insulating glass units even with this technically challenging thin triple technology.
Conventional spacer systems and application techniques quickly reach their limits here in terms of tolerance compensation, load transfer, and long-term tightness.
The technological breakthrough is enabled by the combination of Glaston Corporation’s Ultra TPS manufacturing technique with the reactive thermoplastic spacer system Ködispace 4SG from H.B. Fuller Kömmerling.
This reactive TPS system is applied directly onto the glass in a single process step, chemically bonds with glass and secondary sealant, thereby creating a flexible, gas-tight, and optically homogeneous edge seal. Specifically developed for highly efficient glazing, Ködispace 4SG meets all requirements of thin triple IGUs, including compatibility with automated production lines.
In practice, Ködispace 4SG has already proven itself many times: The ultra-thin intermediate pane is positioned slightly recessed so that its edges are fully enclosed by the secondary sealant so they are optimally protected, stably supported, and permanently sealed. This design ensures that even extremely slim constructions can be implemented mechanically reliably and durably.
With the imminent launch of initial production lines, Europe is now charting a course toward the next generation of energy-efficient glazing. A reliable edge seal is crucial for success. The reactive TPS Ködispace 4SG has established itself here as a pioneering key technology, offering high processing precision, excellent gas tightness, and outstanding long-term stability.
