Quality views

Key contribution

Due to our commitment to green building, Saint-Gobain Glass offers a diverse range of glazing solutions, varying in terms of light transmission, color, neutrality, size or reflection, to keep a constant connection between people and the outside.

Aim

To give building occupants a connection to the natural outdoor environment by providing quality views.

Detailed requirement

Option 1 “assess”: the Environmental Product Declaration (1 point)

A direct line of sight to the outdoors via vision glazing for 75% of all regularly occupied floor area.

View glazing in the contributing area must provide a clear image of the exterior, not obstructed by frits, fibers, patterned glazing, or added tints that distort color balance.

Additionally, 75% of all regularly occupied floor area must have at least two of the following four kinds of views:

Multiple lines of sight to vision glazing in different directions at least 90 degrees apart;
Views that include at least two of the following: (1) flora, fauna, or sky; (2) movement; and (3) objects at least 25 feet from the exterior of the glazing;
Unobstructed views located within the distance of three times the head height of the vision glazing;
Views with a view factor of 3 or greater, as defined in “Windows and Offices; A study of Office workers Performance & the indoor Environment.

Read the detailed requirement for Quality Views

Our contribution

Glass is by nature transparent. This is why it remains the best solution to ensure that occupants maintain a direct link with the outside, under all conditions. To select the best glazing in terms of quality views, the following characteristics should be taken into account:

- Glazed surface area either by the size of the glass, the structure of the glazing or a lighter fixing system;

- Transparency of the glass which is mainly determined by:

Visible light transmittance - percentage of visible light striking the glazing that will pass through;
Outdoor light reflectance - percentage of light striking the glazing that is reflected back;
Maintenance and cleaning requirements; and

- Glare control that is an undesired effect caused by an excessive contrast of luminance in the visual field.

For each of these parameters we offer preferable options, notably:

- Glazed surface area

We can now provide coated and uncoated glass with maximum dimensions of up to 18 x 3.21 meters – as single sheet and an insulation glass unit. We have fixing systems such as SGG POINT-LITE or the SPIDER GLASS system that facilitates lightening the structure with discreet fixing points. In addition, we recently launched STADIPBUILDER glass, a laminated glass with enhanced strength (max. 12x20 m composed to max. 6x10 m with a classic laminate) that can be used as a
construction product, thereby increasing the glazed surface area.

- Glass transparency

Saint-Gobain Glass provides very transparent glazing with high levels of light transmission. For instance, we offer extra clear DIAMANT glass with a light transmission of up to 90%, as well as high performing glass such as XTREME 70/33 and ECLAZ.
In addition, VISION-LITE, our anti-reflective glass offers clear transparency, even with a significant difference in the amount of light in front of and behind the pane.
It is possible to limit dirty glazing and water condensation thanks to SGG BIOCLEAN (self-cleaning glass) and VIEWCLEAR (anti-condensation glass). These solutions reduce cleaning frequency and maintain good vision on rainy days.

Saint-Gobain