A casual walk or drive through busy commercial areas, or new residential areas with modern apartment buildings, and the increasing use of glass, especially tinted glass, is clearly evident. High-rises look all the more imposing with glass facades.
Facades use coloured thermal insulation glass or tinted glass; gone are the days of the same old clear or grey coloured glass. Today they are available in gorgeous hues of green, blue, bronze, gold, and rose gold, for a dash of glamour.
Tinted glass not only enhances aesthetic value, but also improves energy efficiency, and affords greater privacy to the building's occupants. Saint-Gobain has a vast range of tinted glass products that are great for residential and commercial applications.
We know, having such an awe-inspiring range of options means you are spoilt for choice, and decision-making can be difficult.
So here are some guidelines from our architects and designers.
Tinted glass has an added colourant or coating that reduces heat absorption, glare, and light. Small amounts of metal oxide are added to achieve the tint. The glass ensures that some light passes through, but reduces visibility, allowing more privacy to the occupants.
Tints of green, grey, blue, and bronze are the most common, with gold and rose-gold gaining popularity rapidly for both home and office glass.
Tinted glass is used in industrial premises also, to shield employees and equipment from the sun's glare and UV rays.
Also read Glass In Home Design: Which One is Better, Clear Or Tinted?
Tinted glass absorbs the sun's heat, regulating the temperature indoors and reducing the need for air-conditioning. This means it functions like energy saving glass and lowers electricity bills. If your building uses an HVAC system, it helps increase its efficiency.
Now if you had to choose depending on your climatic conditions, architects suggest darker tints like grey and darker hues of green and blue, or even browns, as they will keep the sun’s heat out more effectively. You can also choose sun protection glass, like SGG Sun Ban, or reflective tinted glass, that reflects heat away.
If you live in a cold place, green tinted glass is ideal. Using low-E glass is great for minimizing heat loss and maintaining a warm, cosy temperature inside.
Being UV-resistant glass, tinted glass blocks up to 99% of UV rays, protecting its occupants and interiors (like curtains, sofa, paints, etc.) from sun damage. This is one of the best home glass solutions, especially if you get a lot of direct sunlight.
If you’re looking for glare-reducing glass to install at your workplace, tinted glass is the best solution. By making the workspace comfortable, it can help increase productivity as well.
For those who value privacy, but don't want the inside looking like a dark room, you really can't get a better solution than tinted glass. There is reflective glass, standard tinted, and more. How opaque or clear you want the glass to be, completely depends on your purpose.
Bathroom windows obviously necessitate maximum privacy, so you need extra dark tints or opaque glass; for your balcony or living room, lighter tints will do the job, while also sprucing up the appearance.
Also read How to Choose the Right Glass for Your Home Windows
Reflective glass lets in optimal daylight, improving the wellbeing of the occupants, and reducing the need for electric lights. This again translates into less power consumption and more savings in bills. It’s a great option for building facades and skylights.
Buildings with glass facades or exteriors certainly look more chic and sophisticated. Clean lines, nothing jutting out awkwardly anywhere. Very contemporary in appearance, it lends a stylish aesthetic to any room, home, or building. Thanks to the wide range of colours available, you can ensure consistency in decor.
Also read Why are Modern Architects in Love with Architectural Glass?
The great thing about tinted glass is the unbeatable variety available. For instance, laminated tinted glass can be used wherever safety is a key concern; think schools, children's bedrooms, martial arts studios, and similar spaces.
Saint-Gobain has premium laminated and tinted glass solutions, designed to fit your unique requirements. If you want more safety but without compromising on the visual appeal, may we suggest our range of toughened glass, which is now available in many colours too.
Scratch and shatter resistant, tinted and laminated glass are also sturdy, durable, and super easy to clean. A soft cloth, warm water, and a mild soap are all you need; avoid abrasive cleaners. Just clean it regularly to maintain that pristine appearance.
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How will you choose the right tinted glass for homes, and where will you use it? Consulting your architect and interior designer makes sense as the first step. You can achieve that delicate balance of privacy, sun control, and visual appeal.
Windows, balconies, and skylights are where you can install tinted glass. If you want to have glass partitions to, say, create a meditation space, or separate your work or study area from your sleeping space too, you can consider this glass.
Also Read Tinted Glass for Home Interiors
Glass partitions between cubicles, meeting rooms, facades: all of these need tinted glass. Not only do they ensure privacy and discretion, but by reducing glare, workspace comfort can be significantly increased. A happy employee is a productive employee.
Read more Optimising Office Spaces - Seven Glass Options for Partitions
| Tinted Glass Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Green-Tinted Glass | Energy-efficient, reduces glare | Slight colour distortion |
| Grey-Tinted Glass | Neutral look, modern appeal | Less heat control |
| Bronze-Tinted Glass | Warm aesthetic, good heat absorption | Less UV protection |
| Reflective Tinted Glass | High privacy, sun control | Limited light penetration |
Location is a key factor that impacts this decision. The climatic conditions and exposure to sunlight are key considerations. We’ve seen that darker tints are better when you get a lot of sun.
As in everything, the cost is an essential factor. Check your budget and see what fits in it; if the premium option is within your budget, by all means, go for that. Else, look for more economical options.
Also read glass - the hero of modern interiors.
Unless you have been trained for it, we strongly recommend that you do not try to install the glass yourself. Call the professionals who have the experience and expertise, and leave it to them. Saint-Gobain can help you get the right team for the job.
Common mistakes to avoid during installation:
Tinted glass can be a huge boon in places with hot weather by reducing glare, heat, and UV rays, to increase indoor comfort. It doesn't hurt that it also steps up the style quotient of a space or an entire building.
Saint-Gobain tinted glass is manufactured under the strictest supervision and goes through stringent quality checks to make sure that the glass is consistent regardless of how many batches are produced, year upon year.
Explore the remarkable range of tinted glass from Saint-Gobain, and choose the ideal option for your needs.
Do you need help with selection or installation of the glass?
We are happy to help. Get in touch with us now.
Does tinted glass reduce heat in homes and offices?
Tinted glass is a heat-absorbing glass with a coating or additives that are capable of absorbing specific light wavelengths, especially infrared radiation that causes heat. It thus reduces heat entry and helps to regulate indoor temperatures.
Does tinted glass break easily?
Tempered and laminated tinted glass is sturdy and shatter resistant, so it won’t break easily. For greater security, you can also have toughened tinted glass for homes and offices. Even normal tinted glass from Saint-Gobain does not break easily, and can last for decades with proper care.
Is tinted glass better than clear glass?
Whether you need tinted glass or clear glass depends entirely on your requirements, purpose, and specific application. If you need maximum clarity and brightness, clear glass is the way to go.
Tinted glass is the ideal option when you value privacy, want to conserve energy, and seek UV protection, without hampering visibility completely.
Does tinted glass work in cold climates?
Yes, it does; however, it is more advantageous in hot weather, where you don’t want the outside heat to enter indoors. Low-E glass may be a better option in places where it’s cold all the time, as it traps heat and prevents it from escaping.
Saint-Gobain has a wide range of both types of glass, of the highest quality and safety standards.
How versatile is tinted glass?
Tinted glass can be customized to be used for facades, windows, balconies, stairways, partitions, balustrades, and decorative elements, depending on what you need.
Jahanavi Arora is an architect by profession and a writer by choice, with over 7 years of experience in architecture and design writing. She graduated from Chandigarh and believes that writing and architecture are similar as both are forms of art. Read More
