Glass for glare control

Harnessing the benefits of natural light is a delicate balance when it comes to unwelcome glare, which can undermine the visual comfort of building occupants. The right glass for glare control can allow abundant light into a space while helping to create more pleasant, practical and comfortable environments.

What are the benefits of glass for glare control?

Our glare control product range:

How does glare happen?

While access to abundant sunlight is desirable in most cases, overexposure can lead to glare. Glare occurs when an improper balance of visible light travels directly through a window. Light can also reflect off a surface or screen – a particularly bothersome issue when digital tasks are at hand.

In addition to the level of visible light transmitted through the glass, the glare phenomenon depends on various factors such as elevation exposure, window-to-wall ratio, layout of the interior spaces, personal sensitivities and even highly reflective surfaces surrounding a building.

What are the types of glare and how is it measured?

There are two types of glare: discomfort and disability. Discomfort glare hampers optimal visual conditions, making it difficult for occupants to see what they’re doing and feel comfortable in their surroundings. Disability glare impedes vision outright due to the light being overwhelmingly bright.

Glare is subjective and depends on the sensitivity of people. The methods of measuring and controlling glare are based on statistical approaches such as the Daylight Glare Probability (DGP).

What type of glass can be used to help control glare?

While there is no quantitative way to measure the glare control performance of a glazing, taking various project factors into account can help determine the right glass product for the task. In areas where glare is a major concern, such as North- and West-facing elevations or high window-to-wall ratios, we recommend glass solutions with 45% visible light transmission (VLT) or lower.

Glass fabrication options like patterned frit, etched surfaces and laminated interlayers can also help control glare by diffusing light. Our Performance Calculator can combine Guardian Glass substrates and low-E coating solutions with these fabrication options to help you select the right capabilities for your design.

What’s the difference between glass for glare control and anti-reflective glass?

Choosing between glass for glare control and anti-reflective glass depends on the visual objectives of a project. Glass for glare control is designed to help minimize the adverse effects of intense light by tailoring the level of incoming light to a specific project and application. This helps create a more comfortable and workable environment, particularly in spaces with electronic displays. Anti-reflective glass contributes to minimizing reflections that occur when light bounces off a glass surface – allowing more light to pass through the glass and helping to ensure objects within are viewed with clarity and detail. This type of glass is often found on storefronts and museum showcases.

What architectural features can help reduce glare?

Architectural sun shades can offer aesthetic flexibility while providing protection from the sun’s rays. Sun shades are available in a variety of shapes, patterns, finishes and orientations to create dramatic architectural designs. Keep in mind that architectural sun shades can reduce the amount of natural light that enters a building. We recommend combining sun shades with our glass for glare control options to further reduce glare while still allowing in plenty of natural light.

Want to know more about glass and its properties?

Guardian Glass offers you a wealth of technical notes, tools and online learning to enhance your knowledge about glass and help you specify the most appropriate glass for your project. Discover our BIM resources and specification tools on the Resource Hub!

Eye-catching projects made possible thanks to Guardian Glass solutions for glare control.