It is electronically tintable glass that can be switched from clear to darkly tinted (and from darkly tinted to clear) at the push of a button. EC glass can be operated manually or integrated into an automated building management system. SageGlass® EC glass modulates visible light transmission and solar heat gain, and, in the tinted condition, blocks 98% of the total solar radiation that causes fading.

SageGlass panes are coated with five layers of ceramic materials, which have a total thickness that is less than 1/50^th that of a human hair. When voltage is applied across the coatings, ions travel from one layer to another layer, where a reversible solid-state change takes place, causing the coating to tint and absorb light. Reversing the polarity of the applied voltage causes the ions to migrate back to their original layer, and the glass returns to its clear state. SageGlass technology is described in more detail on the Technology page.

SAGE coats conventional float glass with layers of metal oxides using a vacuum deposition process called “sputtering,” which is the same process used to make hundreds of million square feet of low-e and double low-e glass each year. The coated SageGlass pane is then fabricated into an insulating glass unit (IGU) with another piece of glass (clear, tinted or laminated) and a stainless steel spacer.

The standard control systems currently provided switch SageGlass® from its clear state to its tinted state and vice versa. We are currently developing systems that control the glass to intermediate levels of tinting. We expect to offer this system as a standard product in 2010.  Please contact SAGE’s personnel for more information.

SageGlass IGUs come in four standard colors (the colors are a function of the inboard lite): Classic, See Green, Cool View Blue and Clear as Day Gray. A chart detailing the performance of these four colors is shown on our Products page. SageGlass products can also be ordered with a custom inboard lite, which can be of a chosen color, laminated, fritted, or in other ways non-standard.

Please note that the differences among the colors can be seen in the light transmitted into the space, whereas the exterior reflected color varies little, no matter what color the SageGlass IGU is. This is because the coated SageGlass pane is the outboard lite in the IGU.
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How does the cost compare to low-e insulated glass?

Because in most installations, SageGlass products eliminate the need for interior and exterior blinds and shading systems, glass-to-glass price comparisons are not appropriate. The reduction of other costs must also be considered given the unprecedented benefits provided by the SageGlass product.

Until now, glass and its necessary solar control devices were two different things. With SageGlass products, the glass IS the solar control device. Moreover, SageGlass products conserve energy and reduce first costs (smaller HVAC systems, for instance, can be used in many situations). Building maintenance costs are also lower because HVAC systems run less often, and there is no need to replace or repair shades and blinds.

The bottom line is traditional methods of controlling sunlight and heat can easily cost the same or more than SageGlass glazing. And dollars are only part of the equation: SageGlass glazing conserves energy while preserving the view and connection to the outdoors which is the reason we put glass in buildings in the first place.

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Today we offer rectangles and squares, as well as selected straight-sided nonrectangular shapes including parallelograms, trapezoids and certain types of triangles. We are continuing to expand our product line so please contact SAGE’s department with your project information so that we can evaluate the availability of a particular shape.

Yes, SageGlass products provide an additional tool for daylighting design and also conserve energy. The LEED credits that SageGlass products could help you earn for your project are listed on the Green/LEED page.

SageGlass units have been sold into commercial and residential applications since 2003. We have projects throughout the U.S., and in Europe and other countries. A few of these projects are shown on our Project Gallery page.

What is the dynamic range of the glass?

SageGlass Classic IGU can be varied from 62% visible light transmission in its clear state down to 3.5% in its tinted state, with a solar heat gain coefficient that varies from 0.48 on the high end to 0.09 on the low end.  The performance of our five standard products is shown in the chart on our Product page.

Are SageGlass products considered “low-emissivity”?

SageGlass products consume little power.  It takes less electricity to power and control 1,500 square feet of SageGlass glazing (approximately 100 windows) per day than it does to power a 60-Watt light bulb.
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SageGlass technology has undergone rigorous performance and durability testing both in-house and through independent third parties including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and leaders in the glass fabricating and OEM skylight industry.  SageGlass IGUs were the first and only products to pass the ASTM E-2141-06 (Standard Test Methods for Assessing the Durability of Absorptive Electrochromic Coatings on Sealed Insulating Glass Units). In fact, the SageGlass technology survived over 100,000 cycles of accelerated environmental durability testing, which is twice the test standard and equivalent to switching a window nine times per day for 365 days/year over a 30-year lifetime, according to the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Full details are available on our Testing page.

SAGE warrants the SageGlass IGU for up to 10 years depending on the building application; the electronics and electrochromic functionality carry a five year warranty. For full details on our product warranties, contact our .

Information for Commercial sales can be found here, and for Residential sales, here. If you prefer to email or phone the SAGE Sales team, please write to or call . A SAGE sales representative will promptly respond to your inquiry.

Yes.  Please contact SAGE’s Customer Solutions department at or for more information.

Most frames that use hollow aluminum extrusions and wood window systems will accept SageGlass IGUs.  We recommend providing a 5/8” perimeter coverage on the glass, and sufficient room in the glazing pocket to accommodate the slimline snap-together connector.  SAGE has partnered with several leading window, skylight and curtainwall manufacturers for integrating SageGlass products into their framing systems. These companies are listed on our Partners page. In addition, SAGE will work with suppliers chosen by the architect or builder to develop integration solutions.

SageGlass products are used in residential and commercial windows and doors, skylights and curtainwallsanywhere there is a desire to bring in natural daylight while maintaining a comfortable interior environment and an uninterrupted view and connection to the outdoors. Because of the energy they conserve, SageGlass products are appropriate in sustainable building designs. Moreover, its fading prevention makes SageGlass glazing ideal for applications where the protection of the interior is desired.

The following list highlights some applications that lend themselves particularly well to the SageGlass glazing solution:

·      Green or LEED buildings

·      Owner occupied office space

·      Museums and libraries

·      Health care

·      Religious facilities

·      Atrium, skylights, and overhead glazings

·      High-technology or image buildings

·      Aviation facilities

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