SMG | GUARDIAN GLASS

LEARN MORE ABOUT SMG (SOLAR MANAGEMENT GLASS), ARCHITECTURAL GLASS FOR SOLAR HEAT FILTRATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE BUILDING FROM GUARDIAN GLASS

TEXT: WARUT DUANGKAEWKART

(For Thai, press here)

Among a great variety of glass, there are specific types of the material that have been invented exclusively for architecture. Many great works of architecture stand out for their striking appearances and quality of the materials they use. High-rises buildings in big cities around the world tell stories of their existences through their meticulously designed exterior shells. And on several occasions, glass is utilized as a symbolic representation of a building’s architectural narrative.

Photo courtesy of Shigeru Ban Architects

Tainan Art Museum, work by renowned Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize laureate, Shigeru Ban, is an architectural creation whose program includes a central court purposefully designed to bring natural light into the interior space. The building’s intriguing structural attributes and engineering details enable the materials to convey their own stories. As one of the building’s principal materials, Guardian Glass’ Solar Management Glass (SMG) plays a significant role in welcoming natural light into the interior space while maintaining the balance between energy usage and interior temperature control.

Photo courtesy of Shigeru Ban Architects

With its superior solar heat filtration ability guaranteed by SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) rating of 0.54, the material allows only 54% of solar heat gain to pass through the building’s glass openings, a superior performance compared to the commonly used tinted float glass. SMG also reduces solar ultraviolet radiation in interior space down to merely 22%, consequentially preventing harmful effects on human and material deterioration of furniture. The lowered interior temperature lessens the use of the air-conditioning system and the building’s overall power usage. In the meantime, SMG still allows 70% of natural light to come into the building. Compared to most sun protection films, SMG provides building users an access to a more natural, unfiltered outside view, making it an ideal alternative to clear float glass.

*Remark: The specification mentioned above is referred to 6 mm. SMG glass.

For certain types of architecture such as office buildings and high-rise residential buildings where extra safety is required, SMG is applicable as laminated glass with greater damage resistance. When manufactured as temper glass or heat strengthened glass, the added durability makes SMG the perfect material for high-rise structures that are under strict building regulations.

With excellent performance on LSG (Light to Solar Gain) and SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) rate, SMG receives Energy Saving no.5 certification from the Ministry of Energy’s Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency, ensuring every building that uses SMG long-term energy efficiency. This is only one of Guardian Glass’ high-quality products.