40 years of light, visibility and comfort

For 40 years, Solarlux has been the specialist in flexible glass facade solutions that guarantee generous openings, maximum daylight penetration and a smooth transition between inside and outside. What originated on a beer mat in 1983 has become the reference in the market four decades later. The glass folding and sliding walls, conservatories, garden rooms and balcony glazing are constantly being developed, with an eye for technical details, design and comfort. But also with attention to developments and trends in the market. Thus Solarlux offers 'Solar Architecture' and 'Solar Design' in optima forma.

"Glass has made a huge rise in our buildings," begins managing director Ivar Homma. "As a company, we have embraced and perfected this development. We have been selling light, vision and comfort for 40 years. This becomes apparent, for example, with cero. This minimalist sliding system with extremely slim sight widths (2 mm) has guaranteed 98% glass surface as well as transparency for years. But also our glass folding wall system Megaline attracts high praise from architects and users, because even wider (up to 1,500 mm) and higher (up to 4,500 mm) sash sizes are possible."

New step forward

"Our building architecture is becoming increasingly challenging," Homma emphasizes. "For example, as a result of the great housing shortage and scarce available building land, buildings are increasingly going up in height, where different rain and wind loads apply. Moreover, we see that the laws and regulations for ventilation, noise protection and daylighting in dense inner-city areas are becoming increasingly strict and complex. For example, when realizing apartment buildings, the addition of a non-communal outdoor space directly accessible from the dwelling is mandatory under the 2012 Building Code. Moreover, if you realize an apartment building in a noise-exposed area, noise protection measures must be taken. Shielding the outdoor space with a sliding swing or sliding system seems like an excellent choice in that case, but immediately brings a new problem. After all, in this case the natural ventilation to the thermal shell behind is interrupted. To remove the polluted air on the balcony, residents can vent, but in doing so they immediately bring noise back inside. This creates a vicious circle, which our SL 25 and SL 25 XXL pivot-slide systems have effectively overcome for many years. With the recent introduction of our Proline T and Proline T Mega systems, we are taking another step forward in this regard. Indeed, in these new systems, technical details and an eye-catching design come together harmoniously. A great deal of energy can also be saved."

The facade as an energy system

"The task of saving energy in construction is enormous," Homma knows. "For example as a result of the new BENG requirements and the Green Deal approach, which aims to significantly reduce building emissions. Proline T and Proline T Mega also respond perfectly to this, because a double facade can be realized very easily." The single-glass balcony glazing creates a so-called "second skin facade," with the wide cavity space serving as an insulation buffer. "In combination with the movable glass panels, ventilation is also ensured. The transparent double facade is the intermediary between the outdoor and indoor climates and uses the air warmed by the sun as part of an energy-saving concept."

Extremely high wind loads

Developed for glass thicknesses of 6 to 12 mm, Proline T lends itself well to the application of thermally toughened glass, where a heat-soak treatment greatly reduces the risk of glass breakage, Homma said. "For those who require larger glass thicknesses, we offer Proline T Mega, which is suitable for glass thicknesses from 12 to 18 mm. For example, a 15 mm tempered pane can be used in this system, which can accommodate extremely high wind loads. It is also possible to install a double tempered pane with 4 foils, creating a laminated tempered pane. This eliminates the risk of falling glass parts in the event of glass breakage." An improved and patented locking system guarantees optimum stability. "The moment the sashes are opened, they remain very stable in place. Even in the event of high winds." In combination with additional seals, soundproofing of 30 dB and more is possible, which also allows Solarlux to meet the high noise requirements in inner-city projects.

Turnkey installed

If required, Proline T and Proline T Mega - in combination with the SL Plus and Modular balustrade systems - can be installed turnkey. "We now have several renovation projects underway in which the traditional railings of the balcony systems are being replaced by a Modular system with Proline T," says Homma. "Because the systems are already assembled in the precast concrete or hsb builder's factory, operations, lead times and failure costs on construction are minimized. In addition, Modular cleverly responds to ventilation and noise requirements for residential buildings. An integrated Alara-Lukagro grille provides permanent ventilation of the outdoor space, while noise is efficiently kept out."