AeroShield Materials, manufacturer of insulating transparent materials, has announced that its transparent aerogel glazing has been officially tested and listed in the industry-standard International Glazing Database (IGDB)—the first aerogel product of any kind to achieve this milestone.
The results confirm that an AeroShield-enabled double-pane insulated glass unit (IGU) can achieve center-of-glass U-values of 0.13-0.16, meeting or surpassing the performance of triple-pane configurations currently on the market. The aerogel is compatible with a range of glass thicknesses and Low-E configurations. It gives manufacturers the ability to meet or exceed higher thermal targets within standard double-pane systems, while eliminating the structural, framing, and cost constraints typically associated with high-performance glazing.
AeroShield’s aerogel is bonded directly to the glass surface, allowing it to be handled and fabricated within existing IGU production processes. The aerogel’s unique transparency means that manufacturers can hit ambitious U-value performance targets without sacrificing visible light transmission or changing the solar heat gain coefficient of their products. Delivering triple-pane performance without a third glass pane reduces reliance on custom sash and frame designs, lowers overall window weight, and meets homeowners’ growing needs for enhanced thermal (high R-value) performance.
“Inclusion in the IGDB is a foundational step for us, and these results validate what we know about the potential of aerogel as a glazing material,” said Dr. Elise Strobach, CEO of AeroShield. “Window manufacturers can now access independently measured optical and thermal data for aerogel-coated glass, and simulate different glass, thicknesses, and Low-E combinations for themselves. A center-of-glass U-value of 0.13 in a double-pane unit changes the conversation about what is possible without moving to triple pane.”
“Window manufacturers operating in the double-pane segment can now compete for projects and specs that previously required triple-pane systems. Double-pane frames are less expensive to build, ship, and install than their triple-pane counterparts, so manufacturers aren’t just gaining access to higher-performance specs, they’re delivering on them more efficiently,” said Aaron Baskerville-Bridges, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of AeroShield. “And because AeroShield’s aerogel maintains visible light transmittance, manufacturers can preserve the brightness and clarity customers expect. That combination makes our aerogel a compelling option for the industry.”
With AeroShield’s aerogel glass now listed in the IGDB, window manufacturers and their simulation partners can model AeroShield-enabled IGU configurations directly in Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) WINDOW software or similar tools.
AeroShield is currently producing aerogel insulating glass units in limited volumes from its pilot manufacturing facility in Waltham, Mass. Window manufacturers, IGU fabricators, and other industry partners interested in obtaining samples or discussing commercial supply are encouraged to contact AeroShield at [email protected].
For more information on AeroShield, visit www.aeroshield.tech.
