Saint-Gobain Glass is poised to revolutionize the UK window and door market with the launch of PLANITHERM® NEO, a cutting-edge thermal insulation glass designed to meet the increasingly demanding performance, aesthetic, and sustainability expectations of today’s consumers and building regulations. Set to launch in March 2026, this innovative product offers a comprehensive solution for fabricators and installers seeking to deliver exceptional window and door performance across a diverse range of applications.

PLANITHERM® NEO is engineered for versatility, excelling in both double-glazed and triple-glazed units. It seamlessly blends outstanding thermal performance with a visually appealing neutral appearance, minimized reflection, and exceptional light transmission. This unique combination results in a single, highly effective low-emissivity solution, streamlining the process of creating high-performance windows and doors for residential new builds, renovations, and mixed-use projects.

The performance metrics of PLANITHERM® NEO are impressive. In a double-glazed unit, it achieves a center-pane U-value of 1.0 W/m²K*, while in a triple-glazed unit, this value drops as low as 0.5 W/m²K**. Its optimized solar gain enhances Window Energy Ratings and Door Energy Ratings, boasting a g-value of 54%* in double glazing and 42%** in triple glazing. The high light transmission ensures interiors are bathed in natural daylight while maintaining optimal thermal insulation. According to Mike Butterick, Marketing Director at Saint-Gobain Glass, the advanced surface coating of PLANITHERM® NEO delivers a more neutral color, reduced reflection, and improved optical clarity, a feature particularly beneficial in triple-glazed configurations.

Beyond performance, PLANITHERM® NEO simplifies operations for glass processors. It is designed as a single stock product suitable for both double and triple-glazing applications and can be used in annealed or toughened form. Importantly, the coating retains its technical and aesthetic properties even after toughening to BS EN 12150. This streamlines stockholding and production planning, while enhanced durability and ease of processing contribute to consistently high-quality finished units.

Sustainability is at the heart of PLANITHERM® NEO. Up to 40% of the glass used in its manufacture is sourced from reclaimed and remanufactured pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled glass, without compromising product quality, performance, or appearance. This commitment is driven by Saint-Gobain’s Glass Forever circular economy program, which minimizes raw material extraction, energy consumption, and embodied carbon. This commitment is backed by published Life Cycle Assessment data and an Environmental Product Declaration.

PLANITHERM® NEO is strategically designed to support compliance with current and future Building Regulations across the UK and Ireland, enabling a wide array of frame types to achieve the required whole window U-values. Its balanced approach to thermal insulation and solar gain also helps mitigate overheating and reduces reliance on energy-intensive ventilation or air conditioning systems – a crucial consideration as homes transition towards low-carbon heating solutions like heat pumps.

This versatile glass is suitable for diverse applications, including residential new build and replacement windows and doors, expansive glazed elements like sliding and bifold doors, and non-residential or mixed-use buildings. It is also available in laminated configurations for enhanced security, safety, acoustic performance, and UV protection. Furthermore, it can be combined with other Saint-Gobain Glass products to create multi-functional glazing solutions tailored to specific project requirements.

In conclusion, PLANITHERM® NEO offers fabricators and installers a future-proof solution that seamlessly integrates advanced thermal performance, enhanced aesthetics, and industry-leading sustainability credentials. This innovative glass empowers the creation of high-performance windows and doors that meet the evolving demands of the market and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

*4mm-16mm-4mm with 90% argon gas filling, PLANITHERM® NEO on face 3

**4mm-16mm-4mm-16mm-4mm with 90% argon gas filling, PLANITHERM® NEO on face 3 and 5