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New DuPont SolarLAM™ software helps glass designers calculate solar control properties

DuPont has introduced SolarLAM™ software to help designers and manufacturers of solar control laminated glass estimate the solar and optical properties of laminated glass constructions.

DuPont has introduced SolarLAM™, a PC software package that helps designers and manufacturers of solar control laminated glass constructions to estimate the solar and optical performance of various laminated glass options from the parameters of component glasses, coatings and Butacite^® PVB interlayers to be used.

The basic solar and optical properties calculated by SolarLAM™ can be used in conjunction with WINDOW 4.1 PC software from Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory to obtain window thermal performance indices (e.g. U-values, solar heat gain coefficients, shading coefficients and visible light transmittances). Alternatively, these properties can be inputted into a companion program to SolarLAM™ called SC_U_VAL to obtain the shading coefficent, U-value, solar heat gain coefficient and luminous efficacy for the laminated glass construction.

"Laminated glass offers the potential for a vast range of options in regard to the solar performance and aesthetics of building glazing, and in making the choice of the most suitable laminated glass construction for a specific building project, it is not practical or economical to obtain the spectral measurements of every option," said Phil Davies, Architectural Manager for Asia Pacific, DuPont^™ Butacite^® .

"The modeling capability provided by SolarLAM™ allows designers to evaluate a wide range of solar control laminated glass alternatives for specific requirements and reduces the need for spectral measurements to only the most suitable candidates."

Solar control benefits of laminated glass

For improved energy-efficient windows in warm climates, glazing products with reduced infra-red transmittance and high visible transmittance are desirable. Laminated glass incorporating reflective or Low-E coated glasses can provide high values of luminous efficacy for energy savings while also enhancing safety, security, sound attenuation and protection from windborne debris.