Duo-Gard Announces Solar Control Coating for Translucent Daylighting Systems

Translucent daylighting systems by Canton Township-based Duo-Gard Industries Inc. can now integrate 3S Solar Block, a high-performance transparent coating for solar control. Applied to the interior cells of Duo-Gard's multiwall polycarbonate glazings, the spectrally selective coating transmits the entire spectrum of high visible light while eliminating UV and infrared rays.

This allows architects and designers to include more daylighting with skylights, clerestories, curtainwalls and canopies in all types of facilities, while reducing operating costs for lighting, heating and cooling as well as improving the interior environment – all elements of LEED compliance.

Daylighting is an increasingly critical component of sustainable building. Beginning with 1999's landmark studies by California's Heschong-Mahone Group, the benefits of daylighting have been documented in schools, offices and retail stores with lower energy costs, increased sales and higher human productivity. However, with traditional transparent daylighting there's the downside of high solar heat gain and disruptive glare. Duo-Gard's custom daylighting systems feature translucent polycarbonate technology that integrates high thermal values with high diffuse light transmission.

"This coating is one of today's most exciting advances in daylighting technology," said David Miller, Duo-Gard's president. "It enables us to provide an option that meets the accelerating demand for higher efficiency and lower costs. We're proud to add it to our growing arsenal of sustainable products."

3S Solar Block coating blocks up to 99.9 percent of UV rays and up to 95 percent of near infra-red heat rays as it transmits up to 79 percent of visible light. U-values range from 0.52 to 0.17. Specifiers can create a custom combination of polycarbonate thickness and coating intensity that meets each project's goals for thermal value and light transmission. Aesthetics include a variety of colors for design flexibility.

For more than 25 years, Duo-Gard has advanced translucent technology with design, engineering, fabrication and installation of custom architectural products that enhance sustainability.

More at www.duo-gard.com.

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