Your VacuMax™ VIG questions, answered

VacuMax™ vacuum insulating glass (VIG) is an innovative architectural glass that combines vacuum technology and Vitro glass substrates into an insulating glass unit (IGU) with exceptional insulation performance, even rivaling that of traditional walls.

What is VacuMax™ VIG?

A VacuMax™ VIG unit consists of two lites of 4mm tempered glass separated by a non-leaded proprietary metal seal and a vacuum space. The unit’s slim construction and light weight allows it to be incorporated into virtually any traditional (and even non-traditional) glazing system, window frame or curtainwall application. Its total thickness is just 8.3mm, only slightly thicker than a standard 8mm glass lite.

Available in sizes from 12”x12” (0.3m x 0.3m) to 58”x96” (1.45m x 2.45m), tempered VacuMax™ VIG units can be used alone as nominal ¼” glass to replace monolithic (single-pane) glass without needing to replace the framing system or as a substitute for the interior lite in any double- or triple-glazed insulating glass unit (IGU), where it forms a second airspace and creates a hybrid IGU.

The simplest and most complex Vitro Glass configurations — from a simple monolithic lite of Starphire Ultra-Clearglass to a double-glazed IGU with a Solarban® low-e coating on the #2 surface and a bird-friendly pattern on surface #1— can benefit from remarkable performance improvements by replacing the innermost lite with a VacuMax™ VIG unit.

What makes the thermal performance of VacuMax™ VIG significant?

With an R-value of R14, VacuMax™ VIG considerably closes the gap between the R-values of glass and walls, even in a monolithic configuration. When used as the interior lite in a hybrid IGU, it gets even better.

VacuMax™ VIG units enhance the performance of any glass configuration by effectively blocking thermal transmission, delivering thermal insulation performance that is 2-4 times better than conventional insulating glass and 6-10 times better than monolithic glass.

What other performance benefits does VacuMax™ VIG offer?

Use VacuMax™ VIG to achieve:

• Extraordinary R-values that deliver energy savings and reduced carbon emissions by way of lower Btu usage
• Longer life compared to competitive VIG products as a result of SGCC-certified tempered safety glass and a flexible, strong, non-leaded proprietary metal seal to ensure higher vacuum capability
• Increased acoustic performance for dramatic noise reduction
• Reduced center of glass condensation at temperatures as low as -58° F
• Flatness and strength due to the VacuMax™ VIG low temperature sealing technology
• Generous window-to-wall ratios without sacrificing performance or occupant comfort

VacuMax™ VIG units are available with Solarban® 60 solar control, low-e glass by Vitro Glass, which further enhances the energy efficiency performance of the IGU. When a VacuMax™ VIG unit is used as the interior lite in a hybrid IGU, the exterior lite is available with the full range of Solarban® glass products and substrates by Vitro glass.

What makes VacuMax™ VIG by Vitro unique?

Vacuum insulating glass itself isn’t something new, but there have been generations of improvements over the years that have resulted in a strong, high-performance product like VacuMax™ VIG.

VacuMax™ VIG is one of the only tempered products of its kind on the market. This is a significant advantage, because tempered glass is a safety product, so it can be used in most locations in a building. VacuMax™ VIG is also one of few IG products on the market that are lead-free, which was an important factor for Vitro because they strive to provide products that are as sustainable and healthy as possible.

Additionally, Vitro offers some of the largest sizes of VIG in the industry to help meet commercial needs. Historically, most vacuum insulating glass has gone into residential and specialty projects because of size constraints, but with VacuMax™ VIG, commercial use is positioned to grow significantly.

What types of projects are suited for VacuMax™ VIG?

VacuMax™ VIG is a product suitable for both retrofit projects and new builds. In existing buildings, VacuMax™ VIG can replace standard sized windows without having to replace the framing system; it’s roughly the same width as default monolithic lites and fits very well into the traditional glazing channel.

Consider VacuMax™ VIG as an appropriate material for exterior glazing applications that require extraordinary insulating performance. In fact, VacuMax™ VIG is ideal for a range of residential and commercial projects, including office buildings, educational institutions, hospitality and healthcare.

For additional information about designing with VacuMax™ VIG, please visit VacuMaxVIG.com

For any other glass questions, please contact Vitro Glass or call 1-855-VTRO-GLS (1-855-887-6457).