Vacuum Insulating Glass: What Fabricators Need to Know
Tips and Tricks for Fabricators Working with VacuMax™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG)
Just over a year ago, Vitro Architectural Glass launched VacuMax™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG), an innovative glass product that provides the ultimate in thermal insulation and center of glass R-values from R14+, which is unmatched by typical IGUs. In 2023, Vitro expects to see even more demand for VacuMax™ VIG and products like it that offer increased energy performance. To help prepare our Vitro Certified™ Network for the growth of the VIG market, Daniel Sutton, manager for value added products at Vitro, has answered some pressing questions about what fabricators need to know about working with VacuMax™ VIG.
Q: What is VacuMax™ VIG?
A: Vacuum insulating glass consists of two 4mm glass lites separated by a vacuum space, which greatly reduces the rate of thermal transmission between the lites. By effectively blocking thermal transmission, vacuum insulating glass can deliver insulating performance that is two to four times better than conventional insulating glass and up to 14 times better than monolithic glass.
Vacumax™ VIG considerably closes the gap between the R-values of glass and walls, even in a monolithic configuration. When used as the interior lite in a hybrid IGU, it gets even better.
One thing that’s important to know about VacuMax™ VIG is that it’s a product suitable for both retrofit projects and new builds. In existing buildings, VacuMax™ VIG can replace standard sized windows without having to replace the framing system. It’s roughly the same width as traditional monolithic lites and fits very well into the traditional glazing channel.
Q: There’s been some concern about how vacuum insulating glass is fabricated. What should fabricators know about VIG production and how has it been going so far?
A: Starting in early 2022, Vitro started hybrid fabrication trials at several different VCN locations and on various lines to make sure there are no fabrication issues. Everywhere trials were completed, everyone who participated said the product runs very easily down the IG line and there are no fabrication barriers to speak of.
For fabrication, product orientation is very important for VacuMax™ VIG to make sure it’s assembled properly. In a monolithic configuration, the vacuum port typically faces the inside of the building (room-side surface) and the low-e coating is applied to the number two surface of the VIG. If assembled with the vacuum port to the air space, it can affect the overall unit’s thermal performance.
However, other than that, there’s really no difference – VacuMax™ runs down the line similar to a laminated piece of glass.
Q: What value does VacuMax™ VIG add to the portfolio of Vitro architectural glass products?
A: VacuMax™ VIG offers center of glass R-values of R14+, which is hands-down superior to the insulation performance of existing products. We hope that our VCN partners see VacuMax™ VIG as another tool in their toolbox to help them assist customers and meet increased energy performance demands.
As of early 2023, building and energy codes continue to evolve, pushing energy conservation and building performance thresholds to new levels. Products like VacuMax™ are available today to meet the performance standards of tomorrow.
While the price point now is higher than some competitive products, we believe that the insulating benefits VacuMax™ VIG offers will generate significant demand in the coming years.
Q: How is Vitro educating its architectural clients about VacuMax™ VIG?
A: In 2023, Vitro is launching a new Continuing Education (CE) course certified by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) all about vacuum insulating glass technology, with an optional additional presentation on the specifics of VacuMax™ VIG. Overall, this will help educate architects about the technology that makes VacuMax™ VIG not only possible but a superior design option.
Fabricators are welcome to take this course as well, along with Vitro’s full range of CE courses. The courses are designed for architects, who are required to earn a certain number of CE course credits per year to maintain their licensure, but they’re a good way to learn more in-depth about all of Vitro’s products. The VIG course in particular provides a good understanding of what VacuMax™ VIG is and the technology that powers it.
To get in touch with Daniel, email him at dsutton@vitro.com. For more information about working with VacuMax™ Vacuum Insulating Glass, contact your Commercial Account Manager.
