Difference in glass - double glazing

2013yearofthehouse

A friend was asking me about different types of glass today as he's a bit confused about the double glazing he had installed last week. I mentioned this forum, so thought I'd ask here.

When his windows (2 sash - 1 fixed 1 casement) were installed they had stickers on the glass - 1 sash had a "Pilkington Energikare, incorporating K glass, this surface must face the room interior" sticker and the other sash had a "Pilkington K glass S energy efficient glass, this surface must face the room interior" sticker on it.

On the opposite side of the glass was a general sticker with the order details on which mentioned Optiwhite.

However, his paperwork states:
"The glass used in A rated windows is as follows:
Inner pane Ultramax (also know as SGG Planitherm Total 1.3) Soft Coat glass
SGG Swisspacer V
90% Argon Gas Filled
Low Iron Glass SGG Diamant"

It seems as if they have used Optiwhite and K glass S to make an Energikare unit, rather than Planitherm and Diamant? What are the differences in quality, performance, price etc.? Should my friend be asking them to change the glass or as far as they see it, an A rated window (or rather A rated glass) is an A rated window? If the two are similar (and what he has isn't worse) then my friend would rather just leave it and not have the hassle, but he would like to know the difference so he's got the facts should he wish to ask the company about it.

Thanks

2013yearofthehouse

Anyone, please?

Difference between Planitherm/diamant and K glass S/optiwhite?

DTDfanBoy

I remember finding an index searchable by company which had all the certificates for each window a company sold. I'm sure that it specified the type of glass, spacer, frame that they had to use.

From what I remember at the time in order for a window to be given a rating, it has to be tested, and a license is then issued. I used the database to weed out the companies who were full of crap. Quite often they would claim that the window was A rated, then admit they were only talking about the glass and when questioned further about the matter they would admit that the whole window only had a B rating.

I've had a quick google but can't seem to find the database I used at the time, hopefully someone else on here will be familiar with it.

I'd suggest that they may have both types of glass licensed for that frame/spacer combination, but if they haven't one may not conform to the specification you have paid for.

2013yearofthehouse

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

I remember finding an index searchable by company which had all the certificates for each window a company sold. I'm sure that it specified the type of glass, spacer, frame that they had to use.

From what I remember at the time in order for a window to be given a rating, it has to be tested, and a license is then issued. I used the database to weed out the companies who were full of crap. Quite often they would claim that the window was A rated, then admit they were only talking about the glass and when questioned further about the matter they would admit that the whole window only had a B rating.

I've had a quick google but can't seem to find the database I used at the time, hopefully someone else on here will be familiar with it.

I'd suggest that they may have both types of glass licensed for that frame/spacer combination, but if they haven't one may not conform to the specification you have paid for.

That would be interesting, thanks.

All I could find was this:
http://www.bfrc.org/Consumer/defaultDirectories.aspx

It lists frame brand, but no details on glass/spacers, so I guess it's not the one you found. The company my friend used is on there for Veka windows, but not Profile 22 (which is what he has). There is a sticker on the inner frame (visible when you open the window) that has Emplas on it (so that's who made them) with some info that includes A B C with B and C crossed off as if to indicate they are A rated.

-taff

why doesn't he ask another window firm what the difference is?

malc_b

If you google planitherm and pilkington and you'll find their web sites. If your really interested you can download programs from each where you can build your window with the specified glass and it will tell what the U value is. But these 2 are the market leaders I believe so there isn't a lot in it.