Slimlite ultra clear self-cleaning slimline double glazing for original sash windows
Slimlite are the original company that introduced use of Krypton gasses in their units. It works on the aspect of friction to create the U-value that is needed for their double-glazed units.
We tested most of the products from other manufactures and they all say that they all do the same thing. But with a difference in price there must be a difference in the quality of the product and believe it or not there is
We obtained several different units and we looked at the glass samples. We examined the colour of the glass to the trim divider and the tape that it was packaged in. On all accounts Slimlite came out on top. It’s good to ask for samples because some manufacturers have different iron content in the materials when they are made. These give a darker transparency in the finished product and is quite noticeable against original glass.
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Slimlite ultra clear double glazing was far a better product and why.
Ultra-clear self-cleaning units was by far the best quality we found. Because thin double-glazed units have a certain amount of iron in the glass it slightly has a darker tint. It’s constructed with 4mm low E glass/ 4mm Cavity/ 4mm Clear Glass with a light transmission of 85% and a solar factor of 79%. Unlike other units which are based on 75% light transmission. A key point is, when the sun shines the room heats from solar gain. When the e-coating is applied this will reflect it back into the room keeping it lovely and warm.
This now forms part of the factor when calculations are being done on how to improve window energy efficiency ratings. With a total U-value of 1.9 with a 4mm spacer, which is quite considerable difference. From 5.4 U-value of normal single glazed glass of 3-4mm, that is a 55% reduction in U-value.
A yearly saving in heating for a terraced house could be £300 to £550 of a detached older property.
U value listing
- 3mm spacer span 1m2 – 2.1 U-value
- 4mm spacer span 2m2 1.9 – U-value
- 5mm spacer span 2m2 1.7 – U-value
- 6mm spacer span 2m2 1.4 – U-value
- 8mm spacer span 2m2 1.3 – U-value
- 10mm spacer span 2m2 1.2 – U-value
Old wooden sash windows have great insulation properties when installed with double glazing
Window construction is also a key factor in the calculations. Wood has one of the best thermal insulating properties you can have. Compared to other materials like plastic or metal windows. It is one of the best things to install double glazing in your original old sash windows. We have explained before on our history page that original sash windows will last the lifespan of your house. But you still have to you look after them properly and keep up maintenance . This is mainly because the wood that they were built with originally is Douglas-Fir and classed as a grade 3 hardwood.
A highly efficient panel of super-micro double glazing. A panel so finely detailed and slim (at 10 or 12mm thick) that it can be puttied into a Victorian sash or a finely carved Georgian lamb’s-tongue glazing bar and not be noticed. A panel that can be heat-treated to give a
subtle warp to the surface to mimic the hand-blown crown or cylinder glass of yesteryear
Kevin McCloud. Trade Secrets Period Drama
Slimlite Construction
The glass itself has no double reflection that you get in bigger units. With a sight line spacer of only 5mm where other manufactures are slightly bigger at 7mm. this means that you will not see any of the spacing divider when installed into your original sash window properly. Other products we found that have bigger spacers, could cause problems if you wanted to be discreet. Therefore, this is why these units first got invented in the first place, discretion. Slimlite is one of the only ones that will finish the units with a foil protection on the sides.
There are lots of ways that manufacturers state that you should bed the units into sashes. But Slimlite specify only butyl setting compound and linseed putty. Our company goes that little further and protects the units with Hodgsons U9 silicone. This offers protection against water ingress and when you install big units less movement in the glass. This will also protect the sashes from cracking on the joints as well when painted.
Architectural Double glazing
Slimlite glazing also comes in architectural glass as well. This has had a heat treatment process to give your glazing that cylinder/ crown glass look of historic buildings. More and more councils are now allowing Slimlite to be installed in listed properties. This all depends on the Conservation officer as well. Most of the Time now you would get away with doing this on the back of a property.
On the front it is still quite frowned upon especially if you have a conservation officer that is a purist and not allowing things to progress. Sometimes the best way around this is to give them something that they love. That is install original crown on the front and Slimlite on the back of the property.
Slimlite Installation.
SSWR install the units with glazing sprigs every 150mm so it doesn’t affect any of the self-cleaning coating on the external glass. When using nails, you will find that it displaces the coating and rain will attach to the displaced coating. Sprigs also gives a tight fixing point and less movement when the glass is installed but flexibility when it expands
Sash windows also expand and retract in the summer and winter and through movement and heat. the glass itself must have a 1.5mm space between the sash rebate and the unit because of this expansion.
When facing of the putty we use Hodgsons linseed putty which is perfect, and this should allow to dry from 7-28 days. But sometimes this all depends on which way the property is facing. When properties are facing south, they have a quicker drying rate and north will be double the time. All putties should have cured before painting especially with water-based paints.
The reason is when putty has is still wet it has a very strong oil for the material and is stronger than oil in oil-based paints. When it has a skin the oil-based paints is now stronger, and this will adhere to it. Water based paints do not contain oil, so the putties must be 100% dry before painting the sash.
Please remember that it is the paint that seals the putty as putties are just a facing to hold the glass in.
Living in a city can have its draw backs with noise.
Traffic and Nuisance neighbours are not just a sleep depriving disturbance; it may shorten your life, according to new research which also links noisy roads to an increased risk of stroke. Heart and artery disease were also linked to traffic deaths, which according to scientists could be due to raised blood pressure, sleep problems and stress brought about by the noise.
The World Health Organisation defines 55 dB as a noise level that can cause health problems for a community and is the same dB level as loud conversation. Read more…
Alexandra Sims. Wednesday 24 June 2015. The Independent Newspaper
Living in Brighton is one of the most beautiful places on the south coast, but it is also one of the busiest. With the university getting bigger every year, nowhere to build so people are creating more flats to make more money. Not to mention that Brighton has always been a destination for the young party people. Whether it is living here or coming down for the weekend, it gets very busy on a night-time.
People from London are trying to escape the noise and frantic nature of city life and come to Brighton. Arguably, you get so much more for your money and people are buying town houses to create their dream home. But then the dream is shattered when they realise that living so close to the sea has its advantages. It also has a serious number of disadvantages, one of the main things is NOISE pollution.
has Slimlite double glazing got a acoustic quality
Brighton was built on a grid system in the Regency period so noise will travel, especially in the city centre. We looked at getting some acoustic glass for a customer the cost is a little bit more than the Slimlite. But due to the size that you need for acoustic glass this was not available for one of our projects.
The size of the glass was going to finish at 15 – 16 mm with a 6.4/4/4 construction. this only came in at a 35-decibel reduction rate and at nearly twice the price. adding a lot more weight on the windows as well this in-turn would need more lead to counter-react this.
Acoustic glass is made up of a Butyl layer installed in between 2 sheets of 3mm float laminated. This stops the frequency travelling through the glass and alters the structure of the frequency. This in turn stops noise from travelling through the material as much as normal. There were other things to consider as well with the restriction of the sashes opening to current regulations.
We tested the noise on completion of a project in the centre of Brighton and the difference was unbelievable. It flat lined at 40db until a bus went by and then it was just a slight hum at 44 db and this was 50mtrs from a busy main road (Western Road) in Brighton. We hope that this has been informative and if you have any questions regarding how to reduce the noise in your home please feel free to contact us and we will give you a free survey at any time.
Example of noise Decibel ratings
- 0dB human threshold
- 10dB Breathing and this is Barely audible
- 20dB Rustling leaves
- 30dB Rural ambient sound
- 40dB Library and bird call
- 44dB Is the lowest limit of urban ambient sound One-eighth as loud as 70 dB.
- 50dB Quiet suburban area, conversation at home.
- 60dB Conversation in restaurant, office, background music,
- 68dB Cars at 20 meters from a busy main road.Average speed of 30mph.
- 70dB cars at 10 meters
- 80db busy traffic at 10 meters
- 85dB Risk of hearing damage from long term exposure
- 90dB Power tools
- 100dB Pneumatic Road Drill
- 120dB Hearing Damage due to short term exposure
- 120dB Amplified music @ 2m or a loud car sterio
- 120dB Threshold of pain.
slimlite Certification
- Certification CE BSEN1279 APPROVED
- CE BSEN1279 APPROVED, DECLARATION OF PERFORMANCE NO. 0015CPR 07-2013
To manufacture double glazed units, certification is required for BSEN1279 Part 2, production quality BSEN1279 Part 3, which relates to gas leakage at less than 1% per annum. Certification is your guarantee of quality. - Certificate BSEN1279 Part 2 BSI 262/4677672 (Production Quality)
- Certificate BSEN1279 Part 3 BSI 371/7758378 (Gas Leakage)
- Certificate BSEN1279 Part 6 SDG0703/11870B Annex B Audit Test
- Certificate BSEN673 UKAS Certified U-Value (Insulation)
- Certificate BSEN150 8990. National Physical Laboratory Thermal Transmittance
- Certificate AC-09-140-03/09 ISO 717-1 Sound Reduction
Safety Glass Standards
Safety glass must be installed in anything with a sightline below 800mm.
- Toughened glass, Class 1 BSEN 12150
- Laminated glass, Class 2 BSEN 14449
