Next generation conservatory solutions
Paul Higgins, commercial director of TuffX, explains how next generation Glow technology and Ambience glass create a unique and compelling sales opportunity in the conservatory sector.
Finding a way to efficiently regulate temperatures in conservatories so that they can be enjoyed all year round has always been a challenge for the industry.
And while modern technology means that the latest generation of conservatories and ground floor extensions are much more energy efficient than old fashioned polycarbonate or traditional glass roofed constructions, an increasingly warmer climate in the UK has placed an even greater reliance on high performance, innovative glazing solutions.
After a particularly uninspiring summer and very wet winter and spring, you may be wondering whether we should be that worried about any significant shifts in temperatures in the UK. After all, the data shows that we may actually see milder winters, even if that does mean a greater chance of increased rain.
Well, with changes to our climate we are also now much more likely to see more frequent and more intense periods of high temperatures in the summer.
According to Met Office data, all of the UK’s 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 2002, and recent heatwaves are now said to be 30 times more likely to happen.
The last big heatwave in the summer of 2022, which saw the Met Office issuing its first red warning for extreme heat and the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK at 40.30C, resulted in widespread droughts plus a big spike in demand for air conditioning units as homeowners battled to stay cool.
But while air conditioning represents one way of managing excessive heat, it is also an incredibly energy hungry solution. In fact, it is said that – collectively – air conditioners use 10% of global electricity. They are also bad for the environment, leaking harmful refrigerants and C02 that can actually contribute to further climate change.
A greener solution
Our high-performance Ambience conservatory glass, which is available on a 5-7 day lead time with nationwide delivery, is the result of extensive R&D alongside leading glass manufacturers and has been developed to effectively manage higher temperatures via its solar control properties.
Homeowners can select from a range of different tint options that include high performance blue – which is our most popular colour as it offers 82% solar reflection – standard blue and neutral.
In a UK first, and as an example of how we have worked hard to give our customers a competitive edge in the marketplace, we can also offer a solar control glass option that has no impact on light transmission.
Compared to costly and inefficient air conditioning, our Ambience glass is a compelling and stylish alternative, especially for more eco-conscious consumers who want to make the most of their conservatories in the summer months.
Good to Glow
In addition to keeping conservatories cool, our innovative new Glow bi-fold doors and roof panels, also present an exclusive and highly sophisticated way of heating them once temperatures do start to drop.
Glow technology incorporates intelligent coatings that are layered onto a standard sealed glass unit to create conductive heat transfer into a home.
The end result is that homeowners can carefully control the temperature, in just the same way that they would with a regular central heating system, but purely by using the heat created from the same glass that is keeping them cool in the summer.
Capable of being used as a primary heat source with temperatures reaching 35-400C, Glow is not only a much more cost-effective solution than underfloor heating or unsightly radiators, it can also be used to eliminate condensation.
Aesthetically, it looks the same as regular glass, there are no visible heating elements, or any loss of clarity – you really have to ‘feel’ it, to believe it – but it is also fully compliant to EN12150 and EN1279 Parts 1-4 and boasts a U-value of 1.2W/m2K.
For our customers, our unique Glow technology and Ambience glass are two fantastic ways to win business in the competitive conservatory sector.
They are the perfect example of how we continue to innovate and introduce next generation products that perfectly cater for increased demand for desirable, energy efficient conservatories that can be enjoyed all year round.
