Institute for Architectural Science and Technology (IAST)

Course Description

An insulating glass unit is defined by dozens of parameters, and changing any one of them affects the others. This course provides architects and building design professionals with practical knowledge of IGU specification and selection, covering glass type and thickness, cavity width and gas fill, low-emissivity coatings, solar control coatings, acoustic interlayers, and the implications of each choice on thermal, solar, acoustic, and visual performance. You’ll learn to read and interpret IGU performance data – centre-of-pane U-value, g-value, light transmittance, and weighted sound reduction index – and understand the trade-offs between competing requirements. The course demonstrates how to select an IGU that simultaneously meets thermal targets, overheating limits, acoustic requirements, and the aesthetic expectations of the design team. Presented by Eugene Korch (façade engineer and IAST Programme Director), the course uses real manufacturer data and product comparison tables to demonstrate how apparently similar glass specifications deliver very different performance outcomes – and how specification language must be precise enough to prevent substitution. Combining IGU performance comparison matrices with specification writing guidance, this course helps you choose the right IGU for each application, protect performance intent in your specifications, and evaluate contractor-proposed alternatives during value engineering.