This is in
As demand for energy efficiency grows across the glazing industry, Regency Glass is preparing to launch a groundbreaking product that could remove many of the long-standing obstacles to triple glazing. Glass Times editor Luke Wood speaks to Bradley Beazant, chief development officer at Regency Glass, to discover why the company believes its new ultra-thin glass, triple-glazed IGU could reshape the UK market.
For years, the glazing sector has been poised to take the next big step in energy efficiency with the wider adoption of triple glazing.
Yet, despite increasing interest from both consumers and housebuilders, triple glazing has been hampered by several persistent challenges: higher cost, increased weight, handling difficulties in the factory and on-site, and transportation issues that affect logistics and profitability.
Regency Glass believes it has found the solution – and it’s all down to thinking thinner.
Ultra-thin glass triples
Planned for commercial launch in early 2026, Regency’s new product is an ultra-thin glass, triple-glazed IGU that promises near Passivhaus levels of performance.
Thanks to the use of Corning’s cutting-edge, ultra-thin architectural glass, this innovative unit features a centre pane that’s just 0.5mm thick – thinner than a credit card – while delivering U-values between 0.7 and 0.9 W/m2K. Crucially, the unit is designed to fit seamlessly into the standard 28mm profile currently used for double glazing, offering a direct and cost-effective upgrade path for fabricators, installers, and homebuilders.
“This is not just an incremental improvement, it’s a game changer,” says Bradley Beazant, chief development officer at Regency Glass. “For too long, the market has struggled with the practical challenges of triple glazing. Our new product removes those barriers.”
The move is more than just a new product announcement. Regency Glass has committed significant resources to ensure that this innovation has the right infrastructure to succeed. A £15 million outlay in new machinery underpins the launch, a high-profile investment that was signed with leading manufacturers Glaston and Hegla along with software providers ,Jotika, at the recent FIT Show.
This investment will culminate in a brand-new 80,000ft² manufacturing facility at the Indurent Trident Business Park in Warrington. The site is set to become Europe’s first purpose-built manufacturing facility dedicated to ultra-thin glass triple-glazed IGUs. It will be supported by a 45,000ft² distribution centre, helping to streamline logistics and ensure reliable delivery across the UK.
“This is a futureproof infrastructure,” Bradley explains. “We knew that to do this properly, we couldn’t just adapt an existing factory, we needed to build a facility designed specifically around the technology, the product, and the needs of our customers.”
Breaking down barriers
Regency’s approach tackles the key stumbling blocks that have traditionally hindered the broader uptake of triple glazing in the UK market.
One of the most significant advantages of the ultra-thin glass triple unit is its reduced weight. Compared to conventional triple glazing, the unit is approximately 9kg lighter per square metre – a 30% reduction. That brings it much closer to the weight of standard double glazing, easing handling in factories and on-site.
And because the new triple glazing fits within standard 28mm frames, it doesn’t require special profile systems. More units can be transported on each lorry, resolving another long-standing logistical headache.
Improved production efficiency will also be key to the success of Regency’s new ultra-thin glass triple units. The state of the art machinery that will form the production lines at the new Warrington facility will include automated thermoplastic spacer bar (TPS) application, a Glaston ‘Muntin Master’ to apply Georgian bar and Hegla Sort Jet technology to automatically load glass.
“Triple glazing has often been something of a production bottleneck,” Bradley says. “Traditional triple units take longer to make, require more handling, and disrupt the normal flow of production. With the machinery and automation we’re putting in place, we can maintain a high volume and high quality output of product.
Why now?
So why has Regency chosen this moment to invest so heavily in ultra-thin glass triple glazing?
According to Bradley, it’s been a long time coming. “We’ve had countless conversations with our customers over the years about triple glazing. The demand is growing, but the commercial and practical realities have always held things back.”
The real turning point came when Regency first became aware of the potential offered by Corning’s ultra-thin architectural glass. “We saw a news article, which was released just before the 2024 Glasstec exhibition, and decided to take a trip to Germany to see what it was all about,” Bradley recalls. “Frankly, we went out there with the intention of disproving it. We wanted to find the flaws.”
After months of investigation – including trips to both Germany and the US – Regency became convinced of the product’s commercial viability. “The technology just wasn’t there a few years ago. Now it is – and that’s why we’ve made the commitment.”
Unrivalled innovation
The decision to partner with Corning carries added weight due to the company’s reputation for innovation in glass. From the development of Pyrex Glassware to Gorilla Glass and the invention of low-loss optical fibre, Corning’s expertise in advanced glass products is unrivalled.
Perhaps most notably, Corning was responsible for the first glass encasement for Thomas Edison’s carbon filament lightbulb in 1879, helping to bring electric lighting to the world.
“It’s reassuring for our customers to know that this new triple glazing product is supported by a company with that kind of track record,” says Bradley. “We’re not experimenting here. We’re delivering a proven, real-world solution.”
Meeting market demand
The growing focus on energy efficiency from both government and consumers is driving renewed interest in triple glazing. Many UK housebuilders, particularly those focused on sustainable developments, are exploring triple glazing as standard.
With Regency’s new product offering a 35% improvement in thermal efficiency over standard 28mm double glazing and only a marginal increase in weight, the commercial proposition is compelling.
“We’ve had huge interest from new and existing customers,” Bradley confirms. “For fabricators and installers, this is a great upselling opportunity, something that can improve margins while giving homeowners a real benefit. For housebuilders, it’s a route to achieving their energy efficiency and net zero commitments without blowing the budget.”
A real game changer
As the glazing industry continues to navigate the twin pressures of sustainability targets and increasing customer expectations, Regency’s ultra-thin glass triple glazing arrives at precisely the right time.
“We’re aiming to begin production in Q1 2026,” Bradley concludes. “This has been a long time in the making, and we’re proud to be leading the way. We are the only manufacturer offering ultra-thin glass triple glazing in the UK, and we’re fully committed to supporting our customers through this exciting new chapter.”
For an industry often typified by incremental improvements, Regency’s bold move represents something altogether different: a transformative innovation designed not just to meet current market needs, but to redefine what’s possible in the glazing sector.