Description |
Clear/Clearr |
Max Plus |
Max Plus w/Argon |
Max Plus Triple |
Max Plus Triple w/Argon |
U - Factor |
0.48 |
0.29 |
0.24 |
0.29 |
0.23 |
SHGC |
0.76 |
0.39 |
0.38 |
0.28 |
0.27 |
Visible Light |
81% |
72% |
72% |
64% |
64% |
Ultra Light |
56% |
20% |
20% |
6% |
6% |
Tdw-ISO |
74% |
56% |
56% |
43% |
43% |
Western has been manufacturing Duo-Pane® Insulating Glass (IG) in Phoenix since 1959, and was the first company in Arizona to make Insulated Glass. In Western's early years there was little demand for IG in building construction due to the low cost of electrical energy. The first IG units made by Western were used in meat cases and cold storage food cabinets. Western evolved with the industry staying current with the state of the art materials and processes for manufacturing insulating glass. Today, Western uses what is considered the Gold Standard for manufacturing insulating glass units, a dual seal system consisting of a primary seal of polyisobutylene (PIB) and a secondary seal of silicone. Western's two most common IG configurations, Max Plus and Max Plus Triple are manufactured using high performance soft coat LoE.
U-Factor
Heat flow rate in BTU/hr/ft2/F. Total heat flow is compounded by the differential temperature between inside and outside temperatures. The lower the U Factor, the better the IG unit is at reducing heat flow.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Amount of solar radiation entering a building as heat. The lower the number, the better the IG unit is at reducing solar gain.
Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)
Percentage of light transmitted. The higher the number, the better the IG unit is at allowing light into the building.
Ultraviolet Transmittance (UVT)
Percentage of harmful ultraviolet radiation transmitted. The lower the number, the better the IG unit is at blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Damage Weighted Transmittance (Tdw-ISO)
Percentage of fading potential from radiation in the UV and the visual solar spectrum from 300 to 700 nanometers. The lower the number, the better the IG unit is at preventing fading and deterioration to fabrics, finishes, carpets and artwork.
Manufacturing Process
The first step in manufacturing a Western Duo-Pane® unit is cutting two lites of glass to size with a tolerance of - .062. On the automated vertical IG line the glass is washed, thoroughly inspected and matched with the spacer frame.The spacer frame used to separate the two lites of glass is fabricated from a roll formed tubular aluminum profile called air spacer.
With our computer controlled equipment, we bend the 90 degree corners of the spacer frame to achieve the strongest possible corner construction, and the most ideal conditions for application of the PIB. In the process of assembling the spacer frame we add a low deflection blended desiccant that absorbs any moisture trapped in the air space during unit assembly, and controls adsorption of nitrogen which minimizes deflection in the IG unit resulting from temperature change.
PIB is applied to both sides of the spacer frame by a machine that heats the bulk PIB and pumps it through small orifices onto the shoulder of the frame. The PIB is virtually impervious to moisture vapor and gases such as argon. The spacer frame assembly is mated with the two lites of glass and the unit is then pressed to ensure the proper overall unit thickness and complete adhesion of the PIB.
The final step in the process is the application of the secondary seal of silicone by our automated robot. Silicone possesses extreme structural qualities that ensure the maximum life of the IG unit. After the silicone cures, if argon gas is specified, the unit is purged of air and filled with argon. The IG unit is now complete and ready to be shipped as a glass only unit, or glazed into one of our many window and door products.