Monument protection authorities attach great importance to the preservation of the original building fabric. In the context of window restoration in heritage buildings, the fundamental principle is that the facades must be restored to their original appearance whenever the original glazing is replaced.
In practice, this typically involves repairing and improving the energy efficiency of existing windows rather than reconstructing them. This approach is endorsed by even the strictest conservationists, who recognise the importance of energy-efficient refurbishment to ensure the building’s appropriate and economical use. In most cases, new insulating glazing is approved, unless the glass is of a historically significant nature, such as hand-blown cylinder glass or early drawn glass. Ideally, this would be fitted into the existing frames without interfering with the window construction. However, if the frames are also to be protected, double or triple glazing is often not an option, as the units are too thick for the former original frames. Additionally, modern float glass does not possess the wavy, textured surfaces characteristic of drawn glass.
     
FINEO by AGC is a leading provider of glass solutions for the renovation of listed and culturally significant buildings. The company’s FINEO vacuum-insulating glass is highly efficient and offers a range of benefits, including enhanced thermal insulation, reduced glare and enhanced thermal comfort. The Heritage series can be combined with traditionally manufactured Fourcault glass to create a restoration glass. With thicknesses ranging from 10 to 17 millimetres, Heritage vacuum-insulating glass is significantly smaller than conventional insulating glass and can be fitted into existing window frames in the most majority of cases.
       
Following the restauration of the historic frames and installation of new glazing, the facade remains true to the original, while its energy performance is equivalent to that of a new building with triple glazing. Classic, single-glazed windows have U-values of over 5.8 W/m²K, while the U-value of the FINEO Heritage vacuum glazing is 0.7 W/m²K across the board. The total energy transmittance of the windows is at least 57 per cent, and the sound insulation value is up to 40 dB. This makes them both energy-efficient and a significant contribution to improving user comfort.
    
The Heritage series was developed in close collaboration with leading suppliers of restoration glass, which is manufactured using the traditional Fourcault process. This results in a unique combination of outstanding thermal insulation and a historic appearance. The authentic surfaces of the five FINEO Heritage glass types (Classic, Classic light, Classic Strong, Modern and Traditional light) display a range of textures and levels of unevenness, waviness and stripes. These characteristics reflect the cultural and historical evolution from 1880 up to the contemporary era.
      
The key benefits of using FINEO Heritage vacuum insulation glass:
- Outstanding energy efficiency: minimisation of heat loss while simultaneously increasing living comfort
- Preservation of the historical substance: modernisation without impairing the historic character of the monument
- Different types of glass: reflect the usual glazing from around 1880 until today
- Ultra-thin construction: enables use in original window frames
- Various free forms: including arched segments are possible
- Aesthetic transparency: clear view and preservation of the historic appearance
- Improved sound insulation: ideal for buildings in noisy environments
- Durability and easy maintenance 20-year guarantee with a predicted service life of 60 years
- Sustainability: environmental circularity and European production reduce the ecological footprint
Additionally, FINEO by AGC from Belgium is the only and unique European manufacturer to have achieved CE marking for its vacuum glass.
About AGC Glass Europe, a European leader in flat glass
AGC Glass Europe produces, processes and markets flat glass for the construction industry (external glazing and interior decoration), the automotive industry (OEM and replacement glass) and other industrial sectors (transport, solar power and high-tech). It is the European branch of AGC, a world leader in flat glass. It has over 100 sites throughout Europe and employs around 13,000 employees.
More information on www.agc-glass.eu (corporate site), www.agc-yourglass.com (glass for the construction industry) and www.agc-automotive.com (for the automotive industry).
About FINEO
FINEO is the new generation of insulating glass. This vacuum glazing, with its unrivalled thinness, provides optimum thermal and acoustic comfort, meeting the expectations of joinery professionals concerned about sustainability and energy efficiency.
Under the aegis of AGC Glass Europe, FINEO benefits from a revolutionary production method compared with glazing for buildings. Its incomparable thinness in no way detracts from its technical prowess, in terms of both thermal and acoustic insulation.
For more information:Â www.fineoglass.eu
