ᐅ Looking for Experiences with Solar Control Glass for Windows

By now, I have already started a few threads, and I hope the introduction doesn’t get boring, but:

We are currently working on renovating our farmstead and owe the carpenter feedback regarding the windows. We have the largest windows facing west (ground floor: two large barn doors will be glazed, two slightly taller pointed arch windows, and five smaller pointed arch windows on the ground and upper floors). I am now considering the heat protection. Initially, I thought about installing Venetian blinds for the two large barn doors. However, due to the pointed arch shape, a full coverage is not possible, and there is always some wind in this area. Then the carpenter suggested solar control glass. For glare protection, we would additionally use pleated blinds. A small canopy is planned in front of the two taller pointed arch windows at some point.

Here are my questions:

1. Will the heat gain be significantly reduced?
2. Will the daylight transmission be significantly decreased, or is it negligible?

Of course, less heat gain is less favorable in winter, but the sun doesn’t shine as strongly from the west during that time anyway.

1. yes
2. Negligible
My mother has her entire conservatory fitted with solar control glass. No additional shading.
Together with a controlled mechanical ventilation system, this is not a problem.

Thank you, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear 🙂

Maybe you can also assess this: We are considering ordering the windows on the upper floor without insulated glazing. This is mainly for cost reasons (although I haven’t been able to estimate the extra costs yet) and because the windows here are not very large. Is this very noticeable from the outside?

The windows appear slightly darker. If you don’t have a direct comparison or don’t know about it, you won’t notice.

Again: thanks 🙂 Then we will probably do it that way. Unless the additional cost is reasonable.

I wouldn’t say it’s negligible across the board. Definitely take a look beforehand, as not every solar control glass is the same. In our office, for example, it’s terribly dark even when the sun is shining brightly...