When architects and homeowners specify aluminium sliding doors and windows for Singapore projects, framing system and hardware receive most of the early attention. Yet in a tropical climate where the sun delivers over 900 W/m² at midday every day of the year, the single largest determinant of thermal comfort, energy efficiency, acoustic performance, and occupant privacy is not the aluminium frame — it is the glass. Choose the right glass and your air-conditioner runs less, your rooms stay cooler, your sleep improves, and your interiors are protected. Choose the wrong glass and no frame system, no matter how well-engineered, can compensate. This guide is the definitive reference for every glass type available in Singapore's aluminium door and window market, with worked specifications, real-world scenarios, and EZZO.SG catalogue references throughout.
How Glass Is Specified — Reading the Numbers
Before comparing glass types, it helps to speak the notation fluently. When a glazing specification is written as 5mm+20A+5mm, each segment describes the unit cross-section from exterior to interior. The convention is consistent across manufacturers and glaziers worldwide:
- The first number is the thickness (in mm) of the outer glass pane.
- The middle segment is the cavity width plus a letter indicating the fill gas: A = dry air, Ar = argon, Kr = krypton.
- The last number is the thickness of the inner glass pane.
- PVB indicates a laminated interlayer (e.g., 0.76mm PVB), not a gas cavity.
5mm outer tempered + 20mm dry-air cavity + 5mm inner tempered. Standard double-glaze. Total unit: 30mm. Used in EZZO TY120, E127, E190, PRO110, E-120.
5mm outer + 27mm argon-filled cavity + 5mm inner. Wider cavity for better acoustic mass; argon improves thermal performance. Total: 37mm. Used in EZZO TY150 sliding doors and standard skylights.
5mm glass + 0.76mm PVB interlayer + 5mm glass. Laminated safety glass — no air gap. Holds together on breakage. Used in EZZO skylight laminated option.
Three panes: outer tempered, 22mm argon cavity, central tempered, 0.76mm PVB, inner tempered. Triple-layer acoustic IGU. Maximum noise attenuation. Used in EZZO skylight acoustic specification.
The recommended EZZO specification for west- and south-facing openings. LOW-E coating on Surface ② (inner face of outer pane), sealed in argon cavity. Best SHGC performance.
Thicker laminated safety glass with 1.52mm PVB — used in security-sensitive, high-impact, or hurricane-rated applications. Ground-floor doors and balcony barriers.
Clear Tempered Glass — The Baseline
Every glass type in EZZO's catalogue starts from a tempered safety baseline. Tempering involves heating the glass to approximately 620 °C in a furnace, then rapidly quenching it with high-pressure air jets. This creates a pre-stressed surface compression layer and a tensile core. The result: a pane roughly four to five times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness, and one that shatters into small, blunt fragments (dice-like pieces) rather than large, knife-edged shards when it breaks. For sliding doors, low-level windows, and any glazing accessible to persons, tempered glass is the safety-code minimum in Singapore under BCA guidelines.
Clear tempered glass on its own — the 5mm+20A+5mm or 5mm+27A+5mm configuration without a coating — transmits approximately 78–82% of visible light and has an SHGC of 0.70–0.76 for the IGU assembly. This is a meaningful improvement over single-pane clear glass (SHGC ~0.82–0.86) simply through the insulating effect of the sealed cavity, but it falls well short of what LOW-E coatings or solar control coatings can achieve. Clear IGU is the starting point and an acceptable specification for north-facing openings with limited direct sun — or where budget is tightly constrained. For any opening with significant solar exposure, it leaves a large portion of available performance on the table.
The safety foundation for all EZZO glass specifications. Available as single pane or as the clear pane within any IGU assembly. Maximum visible light transmission, no solar control coating.
LOW-E Glass — Single, Double & Triple Silver
LOW-E (Low Emissivity) glass is the most important glass technology for Singapore's climate. A microscopically thin metallic coating — typically silver-based, applied by vacuum magnetron sputtering — is deposited on one surface of the glass. This coating reflects long-wave infrared radiation (heat) while remaining largely transparent to visible light. In Singapore's context, the coating is positioned on Surface ② (the inner face of the outer pane, sealed within the IGU cavity), where it reflects incoming solar radiation back outside before it can enter the room — without degrading the view or turning windows into mirrors.
The number of silver layers in the coating stack determines the performance tier:
Single-Silver LOW-E
One silver layer delivers SHGC values of 0.27–0.40 and U-values around 1.6–1.9 W/m²K with a 20mm argon-filled cavity. Emissivity drops from the standard glass value of ~0.84 to approximately 0.10–0.15. This is the workhouse specification for most Singapore residential projects — meaningful solar heat rejection at a cost premium that typically pays back through air-conditioning savings within five to seven years. VLT is maintained at 60–70%, preserving natural daylight and the sense of openness that large glazed facades are chosen for.
Double-Silver LOW-E
Two silver layers push SHGC below 0.25 while maintaining VLT above 62–72%. The selectivity ratio (VLT ÷ SHGC) reaches 2.5–3.0 — meaning the glass admits roughly three times as much visible light per unit of solar heat gain as standard clear glass. Double-silver is the specification of choice for west-facing living rooms, large corner glazing, and any installation where maximum transparency must be balanced against Singapore's intense afternoon sun. EZZO's 5mm LOW-E double silver + 27mm argon + 5mm configuration is the recommended standard for TY150 sliding doors on west and south exposures.
Triple-Silver LOW-E
Three silver layers achieve SHGC values as low as 0.15 and U-values below 1.0 W/m²K — performance that exceeds Singapore's regulatory requirements by a significant margin. In practice, the additional cost of triple-silver over double-silver is rarely justified for residential applications in the tropics, where heating-season performance is irrelevant. However, large commercial curtain-wall projects targeting Green Mark Platinum certification, or passive-house-standard landed homes, may specify triple-silver on critical south-facing facades to maximise ETTV compliance headroom.
One metallic silver layer. Best-value solar control for most Singapore residential applications. Strong SHGC reduction with acceptable VLT.
Two silver layers. Premium solar control at high selectivity — more daylight per unit of heat gain. EZZO standard for west-facing TY150 sliding doors.
Three silver layers. Passive-house grade thermal performance. Reserved for large commercial facades and Green Mark Platinum targets.
Coated & Reflective Glass — Solar Control Coatings
Reflective and solar control coatings offer an alternative path to solar heat rejection, distinct from LOW-E soft-coat technology. Where LOW-E sputtered coatings are applied in a vacuum chamber and must be sealed inside an IGU for protection, hard-coat solar control coatings are baked into the glass surface during manufacture (the pyrolytic process), making them far more durable and able to withstand direct environmental exposure.
The trade-off is performance. Hard-coat solar coatings typically achieve SHGC values of 0.35–0.55 — better than uncoated clear glass, but not as selective as double-silver LOW-E. They also tend to impart a more noticeable reflective appearance on the exterior, which suits certain commercial aesthetics but can feel overly mirror-like on residential facades. For Singapore commercial offices, shopfronts, and institutional buildings where exterior appearance and durability under cleaning protocols are priorities, coated glass is a sound specification. For residential projects where selectivity and subtle aesthetics matter more, soft-coat LOW-E within an IGU is generally the better choice.
Hard-coat or sputtered reflective coating on surface-exposed glass. Moderate SHGC reduction and mirror-like exterior. Durable, easy to clean. Best for commercial facades and shopfronts.
Tinted Glass — Body-Tinted & Heat-Absorbing
Body-tinted glass has metal oxides (iron, cobalt, selenium) blended directly into the glass melt during manufacture. Unlike a surface coating, the tint runs through the entire thickness of the pane — which is why this type is also called mass-tinted glass. The four principal colours available in Singapore are Bronze, Grey, Blue, and Green, each with slightly different spectral characteristics:
- Bronze tint: Warm, neutral appearance. Good solar absorption across the full spectrum. SHGC typically 0.55–0.62. The most common choice for HDB window replacement upgrades in the 1990s–2000s.
- Grey tint: Neutral colour rendering, reduces glare without a warm cast. SHGC 0.55–0.65. Popular in commercial projects where colour neutrality matters.
- Blue tint: Cool, contemporary appearance. Selective absorption in the red/infrared range. SHGC 0.45–0.55. Often specified for modern residential facades.
- Green tint: Visible-light-selective absorption; highest VLT relative to SHGC reduction of the four options. SHGC 0.50–0.60. Common in healthcare and hospitality projects.
The key limitation of body-tinted glass is that it absorbs solar energy into the glass mass — it does not reflect it. That absorbed energy must go somewhere: some radiates back outside, but a significant fraction re-radiates inward as heat. This means tinted glass in a hot climate is less effective than its SHGC number suggests, because the absorbed heat can drive glass surface temperatures to 55–65 °C, creating a radiant heat source inside the room. For Singapore, tinted glass is most effective when combined with an IGU (where the absorbed heat in the outer pane is partially isolated from the interior by the cavity) rather than used as a single pane.
Warm-tone full-spectrum absorber. Classic HDB aesthetic. Best paired with IGU to contain re-radiated heat.
Neutral-tone glare reducer. Minimal colour distortion. Preferred in commercial and office environments.
Contemporary cool-tone look. Selective infrared absorption. Popular for modern residential facades and condominium projects.
Highest selectivity of tinted options. Good VLT retention with moderate solar absorption. Used in healthcare and hospitality projects.
Smart Glass — Electrochromic & PDLC Switchable Privacy
Smart glass encompasses glazing technologies that change their light transmission state in response to an applied stimulus. For architectural applications in Singapore, two technologies dominate: electrochromic (EC) glass and PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) glass. Both are available as standalone panes or laminated into IGU assemblies.
Electrochromic (EC) Smart Glass
Electrochromic glass contains a thin-film electrochromic layer — typically tungsten trioxide — sandwiched between transparent conductors. A low-voltage DC signal (typically 1–5V) drives lithium ions through this layer, causing it to shift from its clear state (VLT ~55–65%, SHGC ~0.35) to a deeply tinted state (VLT ~3–8%, SHGC ~0.09). The transition is gradual — 3 to 15 minutes for large panels — and fully reversible. EC glass retains its last state when power is cut, which is particularly relevant in Singapore where thunderstorm-related power interruptions occur regularly. It is silent, has no moving parts, and can be zoned, automated, and integrated with building management systems. EC glass is the highest-performance dynamic solar control available; its key limitation is cost (typically 5–8× clear IGU) and the relatively slow transition speed compared to PDLC.
PDLC Smart Glass
PDLC glass has an interlayer of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals between two laminated glass panes. When unpowered, the liquid crystal droplets scatter incoming light randomly, producing a diffuse, opaque-white appearance. When a low AC voltage (typically 60–100V AC) is applied, the crystals align along the field and the glass becomes fully transparent in under one second. PDLC's solar control performance in its translucent (unpowered) state is limited — it scatters rather than absorbs or reflects infrared — making it unsuitable as a primary heat rejection technology. It excels as a privacy solution: instant, switchable obscuration for bathrooms, master bedrooms, pool areas, and meeting room partitions without permanent frosting or blinds.
Combining technologies: PDLC and LOW-E coatings can coexist in the same IGU unit. A switchable PDLC interlayer on the inner pane combined with a soft-coat double-silver LOW-E on Surface ② of the outer pane delivers both dynamic privacy and strong thermal performance — the most capable single-unit glazing specification available for Singapore master bathrooms, pool-side facades, and boardrooms.
Dimming Glass — Electric, Temperature, Light & Pressure Controlled
The term dimming glass is sometimes used interchangeably with PDLC smart glass in the Singapore market, but it more precisely refers to a broader category of variable-opacity glazing controlled by different stimuli:
- Electrically controlled dimming glass (PDLC): The most common type — see Smart Glass above. Switches from opaque to clear on low-voltage command. Used in bathrooms, partitions, projector screens.
- Thermochromic dimming glass: Responds to temperature rather than voltage. The glazing gradually tints as temperature rises past a threshold (typically 28–35 °C), providing passive solar control without electrical wiring. Suitable for skylights and passive ventilation zones where active controls are impractical.
- Photochromic glass: Reacts to UV light intensity — darkens in strong sunlight and clears in shade. Familiar from photochromic spectacle lenses; the architectural scale version is slower to respond and less controllable, making it best suited for secondary glazing applications and secondary privacy screens rather than primary facade glass.
- Pressure-sensitive / SPD (Suspended Particle Device) glass: Contains a film of suspended light-absorbing particles that align when voltage is applied, allowing light through. SPD glass offers more granular dimming levels than PDLC (continuous dimming rather than clear/opaque binary) but requires constant power in the clear state — the reverse of PDLC. SPD is used in premium automotive glazing and is available for bespoke architectural projects.
Instant clear-to-opaque privacy switching. Ideal for bathrooms, pool areas, meeting rooms, and wardrobe glazing. Powered = clear; unpowered = frosted white.
Gradual tinting from clear to deep-tinted on low DC voltage. Best dynamic solar control. State-retaining on power loss. Automatable. 3–15 min transition.
Laminated Safety Glass — PVB Interlayer
Laminated safety glass consists of two or more glass panes bonded together by one or more interlayers of PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) — a tough, transparent plastic film processed under heat and pressure to create a permanent, optically clear bond. The defining characteristic of laminated glass is its failure behaviour: when the glass breaks, the fragments remain bonded to the PVB interlayer rather than falling as loose shards. This makes laminated glass the preferred safety specification for:
- Overhead glazing (skylights, rooflights) — where broken glass falling downward presents a serious injury risk
- Ground-floor openings accessible to pedestrians and children
- High-security applications (combined with polycarbonate or additional layers for burglar resistance)
- Acoustic applications — where the PVB's viscoelastic damping properties attenuate sound at resonant frequencies where an air gap alone is less effective
PVB Interlayer Thickness
The standard interlayer thickness is 0.76mm PVB, which is the minimum safety specification for most residential applications. A thicker 1.52mm PVB interlayer (two plies bonded together) provides improved post-breakage integrity — the laminate holds its shape better under impact — and meaningfully better acoustic damping. EZZO's skylight laminated option uses 5mm + 0.76PVB + 5mm; security-critical ground-floor doors may specify 6mm + 1.52PVB + 6mm.
Acoustic Laminated Glass
Specialist acoustic PVB interlayers (such as Solutia's Saflex Acoustic or Eastman's Acoustic Grade PVB) have a softer inner core that provides enhanced viscoelastic damping across the critical 1,000–3,150 Hz speech frequency range. A 5mm + 0.76PVB acoustic + 5mm monolithic laminate achieves Rw ~35 dB — better than a standard 10mm single pane, and it can be incorporated into an IGU for combined acoustic and thermal performance. The EZZO triple-layer acoustic skylight specification — 5mm + 22Ar + 5mm + 0.76PVB + 5mm — combines an argon-filled IGU cavity with a PVB laminate inner layer, achieving Rw values in the high 30s to low 40 dB range.
Standard safety laminate. Fragments remain adhered on breakage. Minimum specification for skylights, overhead glazing, and ground-floor openings. Also used in EZZO skylight laminated option.
Double-ply interlayer. Improved post-breakage retention and additional acoustic damping versus 0.76 mm. Specified for security doors, balcony barriers and high-traffic openings.
Amberina Art Glass — Decorative Applications
Amberina glass is a kiln-formed decorative glass characterised by its warm amber-to-gold graduated colouration, produced by introducing controlled quantities of selenium and iron oxide into the glass batch. The resulting glass has a distinctive warmth and depth that clear or neutrally tinted glass cannot replicate — it interacts with direct sunlight to cast rich amber tones into the interior, creating a particularly dramatic effect at dawn and dusk when low-angle sun strikes at full intensity.
In Singapore architectural applications, Amberina is specified primarily for:
- Feature side-lites flanking entrance doors, where visual impact matters more than solar control
- Internal partition glazing where natural light colour is desired as a design element
- Stair and landing windows at medium heights, where direct solar exposure is intermittent
- Decorative panels within sliding door systems — alternating clear and Amberina panes
Amberina glass is typically supplied as tempered monolithic glass (not as an IGU) given its decorative rather than thermal function. It should not be specified as the primary glazing on thermally demanding facades without appropriate shading or supplementary solar control measures.
Amber-to-gold kiln-formed decorative glass. Warm, luminous interior light quality. Used in entrance side-lites, feature partitions, and decorative door panels. Not a primary solar control product.
Bulletproof & Ballistic Glass — High-Security Applications
Bulletproof (ballistic-resistant) glass is a multi-layer laminated assembly combining alternating panes of glass and polycarbonate (or acrylic) bonded by specialist interlayers. The layered construction dissipates bullet impact energy across multiple interfaces — the hard glass surface deforms and slows the projectile; the polycarbonate inner layers absorb residual energy and prevent spall on the protected side.
Ballistic glass is classified by threat level under standards such as EN 1063 (European) and UL 752 (American), ranging from BR1 (resistant to 9mm handgun) through BR7 (resistant to high-powered rifle rounds). For Singapore residential and commercial applications, the most commonly specified levels are:
- BR2–BR3: Handgun resistance (9mm, .357 Magnum). Relevant for private bankers, jewellery stores, currency exchanges, and high-net-worth residential gates.
- BR4: .44 Magnum resistance. Government facilities, embassies, secure boardrooms.
- BR6–BR7: Rifle resistance. Critical infrastructure, defence installations.
Ballistic glass assemblies are thick — typically 20–60mm total — and heavy, requiring reinforced frames and specialised hardware. EZZO can specify ballistic glass within heavy-duty aluminium sliding door systems for ground-floor security applications, particularly for conservation shophouses in Chinatown, Little India, and Katong being converted to secure commercial uses, as well as for private residential panic rooms and vault rooms.
Multi-layer glass/polycarbonate laminate rated to EN 1063 BR-level standards. Available in BR2–BR7 threat levels. Requires reinforced frames and hardware. Custom specification.
Insulated Glass Units (IGU) — Combining the Above
An insulated glass unit is not itself a glass type — it is the structural assembly that enables multiple glass types to work together as a single, hermetically sealed unit. The key principle is that almost all of the glass types described above — LOW-E, tinted, smart, laminated — can be combined within an IGU to create a unit that delivers on multiple performance dimensions simultaneously.
Consider the difference between specifying glass as separate elements versus an integrated IGU:
- A single LOW-E pane alone has good emissivity performance but no acoustic or additional thermal mass benefit.
- A single laminated pane alone has good safety performance but no thermal insulation.
- A LOW-E tempered outer pane + argon cavity + laminated inner pane IGU delivers solar control, acoustic attenuation, insulation, and safety in a single factory-sealed assembly — with no field joints to fail.
EZZO.SG specifies the following standard IGU configurations across its product range:
| Product Series | Standard IGU | Cavity | Total Thickness | Glass Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TY150 Sliding Doors | 5mm + 27A + 5mm | 27mm argon | 37mm | Clear · LOW-E DS · Tinted · Smart |
| TY120 Sliding Doors | 5mm + 20A + 5mm | 20mm argon | 30mm | Clear · LOW-E SS · Tinted · Smart |
| E127 / E190 Sliding Doors | 5mm + 20A + 5mm | 20mm argon | 30mm | Clear · LOW-E SS · Tinted |
| PRO110 Windows | 5mm + 20A + 5mm | 20mm argon | 30mm | Clear · LOW-E SS/DS · Tinted |
| E-120 Windows | 5mm + 20A + 5mm | 20mm argon | 30mm | Clear · LOW-E SS · Tinted |
| Skylights — Standard | 5mm + 27Ar + 5mm | 27mm argon | 37mm | Clear · LOW-E DS |
| Skylights — Laminated | 5mm + 0.76PVB + 5mm | PVB (no cavity) | 10.76mm | Laminated safety |
| Skylights — Triple Acoustic | 5mm + 22Ar + 5mm + 0.76PVB + 5mm | 22mm argon + PVB | 47.76mm | Acoustic IGU |
SS = Single Silver LOW-E. DS = Double Silver LOW-E. All EZZO IGUs use 6063-T5 aluminium frames with PA66 nylon thermal break. Argon fill is standard; additional argon premium specification available on request.
Gas Fills — Air, Argon & Krypton
The gas that fills the sealed cavity between IGU panes is not an afterthought — it is a primary performance variable. Three options are used in practice:
The baseline fill — dry, dehumidified air. Lower cost than argon. Provides the same acoustic mass as argon. Thermal performance is ~15% lower than equivalent argon-filled units. Suitable where cost is the primary constraint and acoustic rather than thermal performance is the main goal.
The standard EZZO fill. Argon is ~34% less thermally conductive than air, and its greater molecular density suppresses convective currents within the cavity more effectively. Reduces IGU U-value by 10–15% versus equivalent air-filled units. Inert, non-toxic, and widely available — the optimal choice for Singapore residential and commercial glazing.
Krypton has ~62% lower thermal conductivity than air and ~43% lower than argon, making it exceptionally effective in narrow cavity widths (6–9mm) where argon's larger molecules cannot suppress convection as efficiently. Reserved for triple-glazed passive-house units with slim frames. Significantly more expensive than argon. Rarely justified in Singapore's tropical climate.
Why 27mm and not larger? Argon fill is most effective at cavity widths of 12–20mm, where its molecular weight suppresses convective cells before they can transfer meaningful heat. At the 27mm cavity used in EZZO TY150 doors, the performance trade-off is intentional: the wider cavity is chosen primarily for acoustic mass — the extra air path adds acoustic attenuation — with the argon fill compensating for the slightly increased convective transfer at the wider gap. For purely thermal optimisation, a 16–20mm argon cavity would be ideal; for the combined acoustic+thermal specification that TY150 targets, 27mm argon is the right balance.
Warm-Edge vs Conventional Spacers
The spacer bar runs along the perimeter of every IGU, holding the two panes at their prescribed separation distance and containing the desiccant that absorbs residual moisture from the sealed cavity. It is also the single biggest source of thermal bridging in an otherwise well-insulated IGU.
Hollow aluminium channel running the full perimeter of the IGU. Thermally conductive (λ ~160 W/m·K) — creates a significant thermal bridge at the glass edge, allowing heat to flow between the outer and inner panes precisely where the insulating cavity ends. In cold climates, this manifests as condensation on interior glass edges; in Singapore, it means higher edge temperatures and reduced overall U-value performance. Cost-effective and structurally proven. Used in standard commercial glazing.
Composite spacer made from stainless steel, foam polymer, or multi-layer materials with thermal conductivity as low as 0.10–0.36 W/m·K — roughly 500× lower than aluminium. Reduces edge-zone U-value contribution by 40–60% versus aluminium spacers. Particularly valuable in larger IGU panes where the edge-to-area ratio is smaller and edge bridging represents a proportionally larger fraction of total unit heat transfer. EZZO specifies warm-edge spacers as standard on LOW-E double-silver IGU configurations to ensure the full performance of the coating is not undermined at the perimeter.
Glass Type Comparison — All 10 Types
The table below consolidates performance data across every glass type available in Singapore's aluminium door and window market. Values represent representative ranges for single-pane or standard IGU configurations; exact performance depends on glass thickness, cavity width, fill gas, and coating tier. Use this as a starting-point reference, not an engineering standard.
| Glass Type | U-value (W/m²K) | SHGC | VLT (%) | STC / Rw (dB) | Relative Cost | Primary Use | EZZO Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Tempered IGU | 2.6–2.9 | 0.70–0.76 | 78–82 | 30–33 | $ | N-facing, budget residential | All systems |
| LOW-E Single Silver | 1.6–1.9 | 0.27–0.40 | 60–70 | 30–33 | $$ | E/W residential, bedrooms | All systems |
| LOW-E Double Silver | 1.1–1.5 | 0.17–0.26 | 62–73 | 30–33 | $$$ | W-facing living rooms, skylights | TY150, PRO110, Skylights |
| Coated / Reflective | 4.8–5.5 | 0.35–0.55 | 30–55 | 27–30 | $$ | Commercial facades, shopfronts | All systems |
| Tinted (Bronze/Grey/Blue/Green) | 5.2–5.8 | 0.45–0.65 | 40–65 | 27–30 | $ | Glare control, aesthetic | All systems |
| Smart Glass (EC) | 1.3–1.8 | 0.09–0.35 | 3–65 | 33–38 | $$$$$ | Dynamic solar control, feature glazing | TY150, custom |
| PDLC Dimming Glass | 2.4–2.8 | 0.40–0.60 | 0–75 | 33–36 | $$$$ | Privacy: bathrooms, pools, boardrooms | TY150, custom |
| Laminated Safety (0.76PVB) | 2.8–3.2 | 0.70–0.75 | 76–82 | 34–38 | $$ | Skylights, ground floor, safety zones | Skylights, all systems |
| Amberina Art Glass | 5.0–5.5 | 0.55–0.65 | 40–55 | 27–30 | $$ | Entrance feature, decorative panels | All systems (decorative) |
| Bulletproof / Ballistic | 2.0–3.0 | 0.55–0.75 | 60–80 | 38–45 | $$$$$$ | Security: vaults, embassies, jewellers | Custom heavy-duty frames |
Cost scale: $ = baseline, $$$$$$ = premium custom. U-values, SHGC, and VLT are representative ranges for IGU assemblies unless noted. STC/Rw values are approximate and vary with assembly configuration. EC Smart Glass values shown as range across dimmed/clear states.
Glass Specification Decision Matrix by Application
Different openings within the same home call for different glass specifications. The following matrix maps application scenarios to EZZO's recommended glass configuration, with the reasoning behind each recommendation.
The most demanding thermal scenario in Singapore. Afternoon sun strikes at low angles from 2 PM–6 PM, directly into the primary living space. Air-conditioning load peaks at exactly the same time as solar gain through the glass.
MRT vibration and rail noise is a broadband problem spanning 100–3150 Hz. A simple IGU gap attenuates mid and high frequencies; laminated glass with PVB is needed for low-frequency resonance damping.
Privacy when occupied; transparency when not. Fixed frosted glass creates permanent visual obstruction. Blinds are inappropriate in wet environments. A dynamic solution is required.
Ground-floor doors and windows are the most accessible entry points. Standard tempered glass (which shatters to dice on breakage) provides no resistance to smash-and-grab. Laminated glass holds fragments together under repeated impact.
High heat, grease, and steam environment. Easy-clean glass surface is a priority. Solar control reduces heat in an already-warm space. Safety tempered is essential given proximity to cooking.
Overhead glazing receives the highest solar angle year-round in Singapore, with no shading from overhangs. A single-pane skylight is effectively a solar collector pointed at the interior. Safety is also paramount — glass must not fall on occupants if broken.
Architectural impact is the primary driver. Full transparency desired. Solar control still important, but the specification must not compromise the visual impression of the facade.
Cannot upgrade every opening to premium specification. Where to allocate the LOW-E budget for maximum impact in a typical Singapore 4-room HDB or 3-bedroom condominium?
EZZO Glass Options Across Sliding Door & Window Systems
All EZZO sliding door and window systems use 6063-T5 aluminium alloy profiles with PA66 nylon (Polyamide 66) thermal break technology. The PA66 nylon insert — with a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.25 W/m·K — physically separates the exterior and interior aluminium shells of every profile, eliminating the metal-to-metal conductive path that would otherwise allow the frame itself to become the dominant heat bridge in the assembly. This ensures that the performance of the glass unit specified above is not undermined by the frame around it.
Real-world scenario: For a typical HDB west-facing living room with TY150 sliding doors, EZZO typically specifies 5mm LOW-E double silver tempered + 27mm argon + 5mm clear tempered (total unit thickness 37mm, fitting the TY150's 40mm rebate depth). This configuration delivers an assembly SHGC of approximately 0.22 — a 74% reduction in solar heat entry compared to the original single-pane aluminium window it replaces — while maintaining VLT above 65%. The immediate result is a room that requires the air-conditioner to run 2–3 fewer hours per day on a sunny afternoon, a perceptibly more comfortable radiant temperature, and a monthly electricity saving typically in the range of $30–$55 for that room alone.
LOW-E DS upgrade · Argon fill · Smart glass option
LOW-E SS/DS · Tinted · Clear
Clear · LOW-E SS · Bronze/Grey tint
LOW-E SS/DS · Tinted · Easy-clean coating
Clear · LOW-E SS · Tinted
Laminated: 5mm+0.76PVB+5mm
Acoustic triple: 5mm+22Ar+5mm+0.76PVB+5mm
Every EZZO IGU is sealed with marine-grade neutral-cure silicone rated for Singapore's permanent high-humidity, high-UV environment. All external hardware is stainless steel as standard. Frame profiles are powder-coated in a range of standard RAL colours with marine-grade primer, or anodised in silver, champagne, or matte black for projects with specific aesthetic requirements.
Specifying the Right Glass for Your Project
The glass types covered in this guide range from a straightforward clear tempered IGU — the right call for a north-facing bedroom window in a budget renovation — to a triple-layer acoustic smart-glass skylight for a music room in a landed property alongside an MRT corridor. What connects every decision is the principle that glass choice should be driven by the specific demands of each opening, not by a one-size-fits-all default.
EZZO.SG's approach is to specify glass per-opening rather than per-project. A west-facing living room, an east-facing master bedroom, a bathroom overlooking a pool, and a kitchen service window may all sit within the same home — and each warrants a different specification from the matrix above. The result is a project where every dollar of glass upgrade budget delivers maximum performance impact rather than being spread uniformly across openings that don't need it.
To discuss the right glass specification for your project — or to receive a detailed quotation matching glass type and system to each opening — contact EZZO.SG at admin@ezzogenics.com or reach our technical director David directly at david@ezzogenics.com. You can also visit us at Bartley Biz Centre, Blk 15 Kaki Bukit Rd 4, #01-44, Singapore 417808.