WHY USE HEAT MIRROR™
HIGH-PERFORMANCE GLAZING IN LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS, AND  ART GALLERIES?

Libraries, museums, and art galleries all have similar concerns:  to protect their collections from deterioration due to fading and in some cases excess humidity.

1. All of our architectural products block more harmful ultraviolet radiation than any other similar products on the market.  Therefore our products eliminate, what is believed by many scientists to account for, over half of the cause of fading, Other factors also contribute to fading such as:  visible light (both natural and artificial); temperature and humidity; and the types of materials or dyes used.  All of these affect the rate of fading and deterioration.
   
   
2. Natural daylight can be used for ambient lighting, where desirable, without the deterioration due to ultraviolet.
   
   
3. Deterioration due to excess solar gain can be eliminated.  Heat Mirror not only offers superior insulation, but has eight different clear coatings that control heat gain through the glass, thereby protecting exhibits near the glass.  Where insulating glass is not required, California Series laminated glass can provide clear solar control with very low visible reflectance.
   
   
4. By providing outstanding insulation Heat Mirror architectural glazing products control or eliminate condensation from skylights, and vertical glazing.  This condensation can cause damage to exhibits as well as to window sash and walls.
   
   
5. The ability to "tune" the building by using different "wavelength-selective" products for different building elevations.  Southwall has nine different Heat Mirror insulation products as well as California Series, solar-control laminated glass.  These alleviate dramatic temperature swings in different areas of the building.
   
   
6. Higher  Sound  Transmission  Class  (STC)   with  Heat Mirror  (especially  with  a  1 1/2" system)  helps  control outside noise  making  a more agreeable atmosphere for appreciation      and learning.
   
   
7. On new construction, the use of Heat Mirror should enable the Mechanical Engineer to downsize the mechanical HVAC system, thus saving initial cost with continuing operating cost savings over time and all of the other benefits associated with Heat Mirror.