What is Toned Glass?
Glass is toned or tinted by including colouring additives to annealed clear glass during the manufacturing process. Most tones are created with shades of grey, bronze, blue or green.
Toned glass significantly reduces glare and solar heat gain from the sun. Tones can be added to any kind of glass to further improve performance. For example, Low-E laminated glass can be paired with a grey tone to improve energy efficiency further and reduce glare.
Toned glass should not be confused with tinted film applications for glass.
Glass Guide
Our glass guide will help you choose the best glass option for your new home or renovation
Benefits & Considerations
Benefits
The benefits of toned glazing:
- Reduction in heat and glare
- Reduces furniture fading
- Reduces cooling costs
- Minimal exterior reflection
- Increases privacy during daylight
With the sunlight-absorbing properties in toned glass, it is suited to warmer climates where ideal window orientation is not achievable. The coloured tone within the glass absorbs a greater proportion of solar heat in comparison to clear glass.
Considerations
Outlook visibility could be reduced depending on the tone selected, and visible light will decrease in a thicker glass. Reduced light transmittance may be a concern for smaller areas with limited natural light, such as front entrance hallways. Smaller areas can also feel claustrophobic with darker tones.
Toned glass will not look the same at night. Lit rooms will be visible from the outside, but privacy can be improved by pairing with a translucent glass.
Options
Tones can be added to any kind of glass to further improve performance. For example, Low-E laminated glass can be paired with a grey tone to improve energy efficiency further and reduce glare.
The below values are a guide only. Light, solar and UV levels are impacted by the thickness of the glass and the type of glass you choose.
Clear
Clear glass is supplied as standard.
- Light reduction: 10%
- Solar transmission: 10%
- UV transmission: 35%
Neutral Tone
Neutral glass is lightly toned and only available in Low-E glass. The light tone is often preferred for a softer, more natural light effect.
- Light reduction: 35%
- Solar transmission: 55%
- UV transmission: 60%
Grey Tone
Grey tone is commonly selected to achieve a darker elevation and to reduce the amount of light coming into the home. It offers good reduction levels of UV light. Pairing a low light glass with the insulation properties of Low-E glass will provide greater energy efficiency than Low-E glass alone.
- Light reduction: 50%
- Solar transmission: 50%
- UV transmission: 75%
Green Tone
Offering a small reduction in light and UV light, green toned glass can provide a softer, more natural light effect. Pairing a low light glass with the insulation properties of Low-E glass will provide greater energy efficiency than Low-E glass alone.
- Light reduction: 20%
- Solar transmission: 50%
- UV transmission: 65%
Replacement of Existing Glazing
Are you looking at options to improve the existing glazing in your home?
Jason Windows recommends trusted providers for this service. Visit our recommended installers page for contact details.