What is Low E Glass?

Low E is an abbreviation for Low-Emissivity. This coating, when applied to glass is highly reflective to long-wave heat radiation. This allows the suns rays to pass into the building whilst preventing long-wave infra red radiation from leaving the building. This effect provides a significant improvement in the thermal performance (U-value).

The coating (a thin metal oxide film) is typically applied to the inner pane of an Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) and normally faces the outside of the building.

If the IGU is installed or fabricated incorrectly this can cause a reduction in performance along with unwanted side effects such as increased condensation.

The e-line e-active detector can be used to verify the correct fabrication and installation of an IGU.

What is Pilkington Activ™ Glass?

Pilkington Activ™ is an innovative coating for consumer and commercial glazing. It has been specially formulated to break down and loosen any organic dirt using the suns ultra-violet rays that are present in normal daylight. Rain will then simply wash away the dirt making it truly self cleaning glass.

For the coating to be effective it is essential that it is on the outer surface of an Insulating Glass Unit (IGU). Correct fabrication and installation of Pilkington Activ™ based products can be easily verified by using an Activ™ glass coating detector, or our combined e-activ low-e and Pilkington Activ™ coating detector.

Further Information

Further details on glass coatings and combinations can be found in our technical note.

Downoad Technical Notes PDF

Further information on the wide range of Pilkington Activ™ glazing products can be found here.

Pilkington Group