A glazing system that harnesses “one of the world’s lightest, most effective insulating materials” has been added to the range of architectural rooflight and glazing system options from Brett Martin Daylight Systems.
Manufactured by Cabot, and previously marketed under the “Lumira aerogel” brand, the material is being used in combination with Brett Martin’s own “high performance” daylighting systems.
Tom Ogilvie, MD, Brett Martin Daylight Systems, said: “We know – via our work with architects, specifiers, and contractors – of the challenges in balancing aesthetics and daylighting design needs with increasingly stringent building and energy code requirements. The incorporation of Lumira aerogel is the perfect solution to eliminate the historical trade-off of insulation versus natural light. As an official supplier, we can ensure that even large daylight surface areas can maintain high energy efficiency.”
A solid substance comprising translucent silica based granules and 95 per cent air held within nano-sized pores, Aerogel is placed between the skins of flat glazing or into the flutes of multiwall glazing materials, “dramatically reducing heat flow, and creating a highly energy efficient barrier with a thermal value of under 1 W/m²K”.
Other claimed benefits include improved acoustic performance and “superior light diffusion”, while its “lighter weight compared with glass double glazing” – of just 3.6kg/m2 – reportedly “makes it safer and easier to install and structurally less demanding”, particularly where rooflights or architectural glazing are being fitted as part of refurbishment work.
