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Products & Applications


How is glass made?

To find out more about the float glass process, click here:

I am interested in working for Saint-Gobain, how do I find out if there any vacancies?

Saint-Gobain runs a Graduate Recruitment Scheme, for more information visit All other roles area advertised locally, please contact your local Saint-Gobain company with your enquiry.

I am a student and would like to know more about the glass process, where do I get hold of this information?

To find out more about the float glass process, click here

My double glazing units have failed, who will repair them?

You need to refer in the first instance to your window supplier who will inspect the units and then take up the matter with the unit supplier if appropriate. This is not something that Saint-Gobain Glass is able to assist with directly since your contract is with your installer.


I have got marks left on my windows from when the glass was lifted how do I get these off?

After installation it is recommended that the SGG BIOCLEAN is thoroughly cleaned in accordance with our guidelines (document B1 and B2), which can be found on Once installed the coating requires around 10 days to be activated by UV light. Provided the suckers used were in good condition and free of silicon residues, the marks should disappear.

Does self-cleaning glass really work or is it just a gimmick?

Self-cleaning glass does work, but it is not a 100% maintenance-free product. It requires UV light and rain (or water) to work, so areas where there is the most exposure will show the best results. During dry spells, a rinse with a hosepipe will assist with this rinsing action.

What is self-cleaning glass?

Self-cleaning glass is glass with a special 'hydrophilic' and 'photocatalytic' coating on one face. This coating is activated using UV rays present in daylight. The photocatalytic action actually breaks down organic dirt that lands on the surface and prevents inorganic (mineral) dirt from sticking to it. Hydrophilic means that it loves water so when it rains or is hosed down the water sheets across the surface, thus rinsing the broken down dirt away and drying more quickly and uniformly. Windows therefore stay cleaner for longer and are easier to clean if necessary.

Where can I find a list of compatible products for use with SGG BIOCLEAN?

You can download a list of approved products for use with SGG BIOCLEAN self-cleaning glass from


Why do I have a haze appearance on my windows?

Haze can occur on most coated glass. However, the effect will be more noticeable on some types of coated glass than on others. Haze gives the appearance of a fine, uniform, layer of dust deposited on the surface of the glass. The effect is more noticeable when the glass is viewed at an angle or under strong light. In situations where the glass is in partial shadow, the shaded area will be free of the effect, giving a clean appearance in the shadow and a dusty appearance in the lit area. This contrast can be very noticeable. Hard coated low-E glass can manifest this effect. The reason for this is that coating is not as smooth as the glass surface. This 'roughness' of the coating is not apparent to the human eye. This 'roughness' scatters a small proportion of the light striking the surface

Why do I need to use a low-E glass?

Government Building Regulations require us to save energy, to help protect the environment. Using low-E glass is the most efficient way of doing this with glazing. This also provides benefits to you as a property owner as money can be saved on heating bills as heat loss is reduced by a massive 75% compared to single glazing and at least 40% compared to traditional double glazing. Rooms are also more comfortable as cold spots near windows and drafts are reduced. Finally unsightly condensation on the inside of the glass is reduced because the temperature of the interior pane is kept closer to room temperature.

Will using a low-E glass cut down on my energy bills?

Low-E is designed to reflect heat back into a room, therefore reducing heat loss. By using a low-E glass in your windows your home will be better insulated, thus reducing your requirement for additional heating.

Why have I got external condensation on my windows?

Due to the enhanced thermal properties of a double-glazed unit comprising a low-E glass, the outer pane of glass does not get warmed by heat escaping from inside the building through the glass. This results in the outer pane being kept cooler in comparison to a less thermally efficient insulating unit. Certain climatic conditions or high humidity levels, without rain can lead to the formation of condensation on the external surface of the outer pane. It is also possible that due to shelter from nearby trees or buildings, external condensation will appear on some windows but not others. This phenomenon is due to localised atmospheric conditions and is in no way an indication of a defective unit. Indeed, this can be seen as a positive indication of performance.

Where should the SGG PLANITHERM pane be positioned in my double glazing?

Ideally SGG PLANITHERM should always be positioned on face 3 of the double-glazed unit. However, if necessary it can be positioned on face 2 as long as it is facing the cavity and thus protected from the external atmosphere.

Where should the SGG PLANITHERM pane be positioned in my double glazing containing patterned glass?

The SGG PLANITHERM coating will be positioned on face 3 of the double-glazing, which is the cavity side of the inner pane of glass.

I have been told that I need to use a 'low-E' glass in my home, what does this mean and is it far more expensive?

A low-E glass is a glass with a special coating designed to reflect heat back into the room, thus reducing heat loss. The extent to which low-E glass reduces heat loss is measured by the U-value, the lower the U-value the better the thermal insulation. You are required to have a low-E glass in your windows to comply with the latest Building Regulations. These new regulations have been introduced to reduce CO2 emissions associated with heating.

What is a U-value?

The U-value of a window is a measurement of the rate of heat loss indicating how well your windows are keeping valuable heat in. It is expressed as Watts per square metre Kelvin W/m2 K. The lower the U-value the better the thermal performance of the glass. So called 'Low-emissivity' or 'Low-E' glass offers improved thermal insulation denoted by very low U-values.


Why and when should I use solar control glazing and how do I know which product to use?

Solar control glass is typically used to prevent excess heat build-up in areas where large amounts of glass are used, for example glass roofs, south-facing elevations. The choice of product is then dependent on the level of performance and appearance requirements, e.g. very reflective, coloured, neutral etc.

What is a solar factor?

The solar factor (or g-value) measures the percentage of heat that passes through the glass. The lower the solar factor the higher the solar protection and therefore the higher the performance of the solar control glass.

What is a solar control glass?

A solar control glass is a glass with a special coating designed to reduce the amount of heat entering a building. It reflects and absorbs heat as well as filtering light for reduced glare. Using a solar control glass can reduce the need for air-conditioning and blinds. There are many types of solar control glass offering different aesthetic options; tinted, reflective and neutral.


Where can I find information on fire-resistant glass?

Visit our sister-company Vetrotech - experts in fire-resistant glass

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass has the same strength as ordinary glass but it consists of two pieces of glass containing a sandwich of plastic interlayer. If the glass does get broken this interlayer holds the whole piece in place so there is no hole left in the window for an intruder to get in through, or large free shards that can cut.

How do I know if I need to use safety glazing in my home?

It should be used in low level glazing, glazing in and around doors, overhead and in large areas of glazing to prevent injury following accidental glass breakage.

What is the difference between laminated and toughened glass and which should I use?

Toughened glass is up to five times as strong as ordinary glass which means that it has to be hit much harder in order to break, also when it does break it is into lots of small pieces which are much less dangerous. Laminated glass has the same strength as ordinary glass but it consists of two pieces of glass with a sandwich of plastic interlayer. If the glass does get broken this interlayer holds the whole piece in place so there is no hole left in the window for an intruder to get in through for example or large free shards.

I have been told my windows are 'toughened for safety', how can I check this?

You need to look for the small stamp in the corner of the glass. This will give details of the standard the glass is designed to meet, the level it achieved and the supplier. If you cannot see the stamp or want to follow up to check, you should refer to your installer.


What acoustic configuration should I use?

There are many different configurations of SGG STADIP SILENCE that can be used, and which is the most effective solution for you will depend on many factors including where in your home the glass will be used, whether it is being used to prevent air-borne or impact noise and the intensity and frequency of the noise. For more help speak to your window supplier about your specific requirements.

Will using an acoustic glass stop all noise from entering my house?

No, it will however reduce the amount of noise that both enters and leaves your home by approximately 3-4dB over standard double-glazing, which is an audible difference. The noise reduction gained will be dependent upon the quality of your window frames and the type and level of noise you are trying to cut out.

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