Tinted double-glazed windows Astana

Tinted double-glazed units Astana: sun protection without loss of light

Author: Arman Sabitov, Lead Engineer-Technologist for window systems and translucent structures

A modern tinted double-glazed window is not just an aesthetic solution, but a complex engineering structure that reflects up to 70% of solar energy while maintaining natural lighting indoors. In Astana's climate, where summer temperatures rise above +35°C and the sun shines more than 300 days a year, ordinary windows turn an apartment or house into a greenhouse, and this solves the problem at the production stage, unlike cheap film that bubbles after a year or two.

Why don't ordinary windows work in Astana?

The main problem for apartment owners in the capital is overheating of rooms in summer. The reason is not the quality of the plastic profile, but the type of glass. Standard glass transmits up to 87% of solar radiation, including the infrared spectrum, which heats the air inside. As a result, even with air conditioners running, the load on the equipment increases by 30-40%, and electricity bills rise.

Astana’s climate is unique: in winter -30°C, in summer +35°C, and in both cases protection is required. Traditional solutions do not cope:

• A regular double-glazed unit is good in winter, but in summer it turns the room into a greenhouse
• Film tinting is a cheap solution, but it scratches, peels, changes color under ultraviolet light
• Blinds and curtains — block light completely but do not save from the heating of air that has already passed through the glass

It differs fundamentally: tinting is applied at the glass production stage. The dye is added to the molten mass or sprayed onto the surface followed by tempering. Such a layer does not peel off, does not fade, and works for the entire service life of the window — 30-40 years.

Expert advice: When choosing between film tinting and factory glass, imagine the difference between painting a car with a spray can and a factory body coating. The film lasts 1-3 years, the factory one lasts the entire service life of the window. Saving at the start results in double costs after two seasons.

Comparison of tinted double-glazed windows with alternative solutions

To make an informed choice, you need to understand the real differences between sun protection methods. I have compiled a table based on the experience of installing over 500 objects in Astana:

Why does film lose even economically? Let's calculate for 5 years: film requires replacement twice (first installation + repeat after 2-3 years) = 18 000-30 000 ₸. It is installed once for the entire service life. If recalculated for 30 years, the cost difference becomes multiple, not to mention the discomfort from constant re-sticking and unstable protection.

How tinted double-glazed windows save on air conditioning

Technically, the process works like this: solar radiation consists of visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared spectrum (heat). Ordinary glass transmits all three components. Glass with multifunctional coating reflects up to 75% of infrared radiation while transmitting up to 60% of visible light.

For residents of Astana, this means:

• The air conditioner turns on 2-3 hours later and operates in a gentle mode
• Room temperature without air conditioning in summer is lower by 5-7°C
• Electricity bills during peak months are reduced by 20-30%

Another important aspect is interior protection. Ultraviolet light that passes through ordinary glass bleaches fabrics, fades laminate, and damages parquet. These glasses block up to 99%% of UV radiation. This is especially relevant for apartments with expensive finishes and private homes where tinted windows occupy a large wall area.

Fact: In 2014, the company 'Alkon+' received the 'Altyn Sapa' award as the best manufacturing enterprise. Their tinted double-glazed units with multifunctional glass are installed at EXPO-2017 facilities, the Senate building, and Nazarbayev University.

Installation of tinted double-glazed windows: what to look for

Even the best one can lose its properties if the installation is done with violations. For Astana, where temperature differences reach 65°C (from -30 to +35), quality installation is critical.

Basic installation requirements

• Profile thickness — for them, I recommend 5--chamber systems with an installation depth of at least 70 mm. They do not deform from heat and provide sufficient thermal insulation in winter.
• The installation seam must be filled with high-quality foam with an expansion coefficient calculated for Astana's temperature swings. Saving on foam leads to drafts within a year.
• Flashing and slopes — their installation must account for the glass heating less than usual, but flashing must be installed with expansion gaps.
• Fittings — choose anti-burglary sets with locking, especially for private homes. Tinted plastic windows attract less attention from inside, but look presentable from outside, which requires reliable protection.

Comparative table of profiles

Expert advice: Before ordering, check with the manufacturer what type of tinting is used. If you are offered a 'double-glazed window with tinted film inside' — this is not a factory solution, but a makeshift job. Real ones are made from mass-tinted or multifunctional glass.

Common mistakes when choosing tinted windows

Over the years of work, I see the same mistakes made by apartment and house owners in Astana. They can be avoided if you understand the physics of the processes.

Mistake 1. Choosing maximum tinting 'so it's not visible.' Too dark glass (transmission coefficient below 30%) makes the room gloomy even on a sunny day. In Astana, where the daylight hours are short in winter, this can lead to additional lighting costs. The optimal range for apartments is 40-60% light transmission.

Mistake 2. Saving on the profile. Heavy multifunctional sun-protection double-glazed windows (with coating and additional chambers) weigh 20-30% more than regular ones. A cheap one can deform under their weight, the geometry of the sashes will be disrupted, and gaps will appear. I always recommend installing no less than 70 mm.

Mistake 3. Lack of ventilation. Sealed plastic windows with tinting do not create a natural air supply. In private houses with gas heating, this is a direct risk. Be sure to include window supply ventilation valves or micro-ventilation in your order.

Mistake 4. Choosing film instead of factory coating for the south side. The film absorbs heat, heating the glass itself. In southern rooms, the temperature difference between the glass and the frame can lead to thermal shock — a cracked pane. Factory coating reflects heat while remaining cool.

Cost of tinted double-glazed windows in Astana

In 2025, the window market in Astana offers a wide price range. Understanding the cost structure helps to make sense of the numbers. A quality frame forms the price from four components:

1. Double-glazed window — 40-50% of the cost. Such a window is more expensive than a regular one by 40-70%, a multifunctional one — by 80-100%.
2. Profile — 20-25%. Windows require reinforced steel reinforcement.
3. Hardware — 15-20%. Anti-burglary kits and reliable hinges are mandatory.
4. Installation — 10-15%. High-quality installation using professional materials.

Approximate turnkey prices for a standard window (1400×1400 mm) in 2025:

• Tinted double-glazed unit + 70 mm profile + basic hardware: 85 000-110 000 ₸
• Multifunctional glass unit with tinting + 70 mm profile + reinforced hardware: 120 000-150 000 ₸
• Multifunctional double-glazed unit + 80 mm profile + anti-burglary fittings (for a private house): 160 000-200 000 ₸

It is important to understand: companies offering tinted plastic windows at a price below 70 000 ₸ per standard opening either use film or cut corners. In both cases, you will not get the stated characteristics.

Production of tinted double-glazed windows in Astana

Kazakhstan manufacturers have reached a level comparable to European ones. "Stolichnaya Steklopaketnaya Kompaniya" (SSK LLP) is one of the leaders, producing over 500 000 m² per year. Their products are exported to CIS countries and used in the glazing of iconic buildings in Astana.

The company employs about 100 people and has equipment for glass tempering in a Land glass convection furnace, which allows the production of tempered tinted glass units with sun protection. It is safer than regular glass: when broken, it shatters into small fragments with blunt edges that cannot cause serious injury.

For private homes, it is important that local manufacturers can perform complex glazing shapes: arched windows, panoramic glazing, structural facades. The experience of 'SSK' in glazing the EXPO pavilions -2017 confirms the ability to implement technically complex projects.