Jumbo Glass: Bigger is Just the Beginning

FILED IN:
Complex Applications,
Making Glass,
Vitro & Innovation,
Environment & Ecology

Building design is constantly changing. Today, strict energy codes and ambitious designs are urging architects to evolve their designs, and manufacturers must provide solutions for these emerging challenges.

As projects become more and more complex, the commercial construction channel is seeing increased demand for larger expanses of glass that don’t compromise energy efficiency.

Later this summer at our Wichita Falls, Texas, plant, Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass) will cut the ribbon on Coater7, which is expected to be North America’s largest magnetron sputtered vacuum deposition (MSVD) coater. It will enable Vitro Certified® Fabricators to meet demand for jumbo coated glass in sizes up to 130 inches by 204 inches—but that’s just the beginning.

Expanded Coating Capabilities

Beyond simply larger coated glass sizes, this new technology will make it possible for us to introduce new platforms for solar control low-emissivity (low-E) coating development as well as accelerate our development of advanced high performance coatings that maintain their neutral appearance when viewed from any angle. And in 2019, we’ll introduce even larger coated glass sizes.

What does all of this mean for architects? Coater7 allows you to specify larger expanses of glass without compromising your sustainability vision. The technology is capable of applying Solarban® solar control low emissivity (low-e) MSVD coatings on a range of glass substrates at varying thicknesses. In addition, Coater7 facilitates improved availability by producing 20% more low-e glass annually, and is centrally located to provide the Southern U.S.—the region with the highest demand for low-e glass—with easy access to our full range of glass sizes.

An Eventful Unveiling

We will celebrate the introduction of Coater7 with an Open House at the Wichita Falls plant on August 16, 2018. The event will feature an appearance from Vitro CEO Adrian Sada Cueva, as well as remarks from Wichita Falls government officials. There also will be tours of the jumbo coater led by Plant Manager Bill Haley and lunch.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for updates on the event.

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