Warm edge spacer technology has become a cornerstone of modern window design. As the demand for thermally efficient products continues to grow, warm edge spacer manufacturers play a crucial role in shaping the future of the glazing industry. Among these innovators, one company stands out as a true pioneer and industry leader: Edgetech.

The evolution of warm edge technology: An overview

Spacers serve a structural purpose – they keep the two panes of glass apart – but they also contribute to the performance of the finished window. Traditionally, spacer bars were made of metal, which conducted heat and compromised the overall thermal performance of windows. The introduction of warm edge technology revolutionised the industry by significantly reducing thermal conductivity at the edge of glass units.

What sets warm edge spacers apart?

Warm edge spacers offer several advantages over their metal counterparts, including high energy efficiency, reduced condensation risk, enhanced durability and better overall thermal performance, and these benefits have made warm edge spacers an essential component in the construction of high-performance windows and IGUs (Insulated Glass Units).

Edgetech: Pioneering warm edge technology

Edgetech, a Quanex company, has been at the forefront of warm edge spacer innovation since 1989 when we introduced the world’s first flexible foam spacer, Super Spacer®. This revolutionary product offered thermal conductivity 950 times lower than traditional metal spacers, setting a new standard for energy efficiency in the industry. Our groundbreaking Super Spacer® technology has allowed us to consistently lead the pack and no other warm edge spacer manufacturer has been able to match our continuous innovation and market dominance, with 30% of the windows made in Britain having Edgetech products in them.

Its the outside sign at Edgetech HQ.

Why Edgetech stands out among warm edge spacer manufacturers

Our position as the industry leader amongst warm edge spacer manufacturers is not merely a result of being first to market. We have maintained our edge through continuous innovation, superior product performance, and a commitment to sustainability.

Unmatched products

Our product lineup, including Super Spacer®, Super Spacer® TriSeal™, and Super Spacer® T-Spacer™, offers solutions for a wide range of applications, from residential windows to complex commercial facades, and specific features which are why our customers turn to Edgetech.

Super Spacer®: The industry standard

Super Spacer® remains our flagship product. Made of plastic and silicone rather than metal, it offers exceptional thermal performance and already contains desiccant in to save time. Desiccant is a material added to products to dry them out, and with some spacer products IGU manufacturers have to add it to a spacer themselves to stop moisture and condensation building up in the window. With our Super Spacer® they don’t have to.

Some spacers need to have PIB (an adhesive) applied to them or need to be cut into bar lengths before you can use them, but Super Spacer doesn’t. It has also got excellent UV resistance, unlike some spacers which the sun’s rays can damage over time. Our Super Spacer® has also been extensively tested and has the ability to handle temperatures from -40 degrees to 85 degrees.

Super Spacer® TriSeal™: Engineered for commercial excellence

Designed specifically for commercial applications, TriSeal™ has been used on ambitious projects all around the world. TriSeal™ features our ‘triple-seal’ design for enhanced performance, which includes an inner acrylic adhesive seal which means the unit can be handled immediately – with other spacer products, you have to leave it a bit to ‘set’.

A polyisobutylene primary seal provides superior gas retention enhanced gas retention. Some IGUs, especially ones used in high-performance commercial settings, are filled with special gas which helps them deliver better thermal efficiency and our polyisobutylene primary seal stops it from escaping. And the third seal, an outer silicone seal, provides structural strength and superior durability.

Super Spacer® T-Spacer™: Automation-friendly innovation

While many manufacturers apply spacers by hand or ‘semi-automatically using specialist tools, automation is allowing manufacturers to produce more IGUs, more quickly and to a better standard of quality.

Automation is becoming more and more popular and T-Spacer™ brings the benefits of TriSeal™ to automated spacer application processes, catering to high-volume production needs.

Global backing

As part of Quanex, a $1.2 billion NYSE-listed US building products company, Edgetech benefits from extensive resources and a global manufacturing presence – Quanex has 31 manufacturing locations around the world, and with Edgetech operating in two of them, this greatly reduces the risk of any disruption to production, helping make the business a more reliable supplier than single-site operations. This backing also allows for continuous investment in research, development and innovation, ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of warm edge technology. Alongside Quanex, we take sustainability, health and safety and customer satisfaction very seriously.

A commitment to sustainability

Our products have been at the forefront of energy efficiency for over three decades. By significantly reducing heat loss in windows, Super Spacer® has helped countless homes and businesses reduce their carbon footprint. And, as the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the role of energy-efficient building materials is becoming increasingly crucial. Edgetech’s warm edge spacers will play a vital part in creating more sustainable buildings and reducing overall energy consumption.

Edgetech’s impact on the glazing and wider industries

Edgetech’s innovations have had a profound impact on the glazing industry, influencing everything from residential window design to the construction of outstandingly sustainable buildings. The flexibility of our spacers, which have zero rigidity, allows for the creation of circular shapes and complex designs, giving architects greater freedom in their façade designs. This has led to the use of Edgetech products in some of the world’s most iconic buildings, such as Zaha Hadid’s Opus in Dubai.

The Opus

Meeting and exceeding regulatory standards

As the UK government implements stricter regulations on building energy efficiency, our products consistently meet and exceed these standards. This makes them a go-to choice for manufacturers looking to comply with the strict regulations.

Driving industry-wide improvements

The construction industry is constantly evolving and our close relationship with its customers and its global presence allow it to quickly adapt to changing market demands, ensuring its products remain relevant and effective. We never stand still and have several products in the pipeline. Our rigorous testing and development processes ensure any new products we launch are designed to meet the changing needs of the market and the continued advancements in thermal performance, durability, and ease of use.

Edgetech’s continued warm edge leadership

It’s clear that the demand for energy-efficient building materials will only continue to grow and as the industry and the future of the market continues to evolve, Edgetech remains committed to shaping its future. As we move forward into an era where energy efficiency, energy savings and sustainability are vital, our warm edge spacers will continue to be a key component in meeting these challenges to get the most thermally efficient products, helping to create more comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly buildings.

In the competitive world of warm edge spacer manufacturers, Edgetech stands out as a true industry leader. Through our innovative products, commitment to sustainability, and backing by a global powerhouse we have set the standard for warm edge technology and continues to lead the warm edge spacer market.

For IGU manufacturers, window fabricators, and architects in the UK and beyond looking for the highest performing products in terms of thermal efficiency, durability, and design flexibility to stay ahead of the curve and deliver the best possible products to their customers, we remain the gold standard among warm edge spacer manufacturers and partnering with us is the clear choice. Our range of warm edge spacers offers unparalleled benefits and as the industry continues to evolve we will be at the forefront, driving innovation and setting new standards for warm edge technology.

Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team and start using Edgetech technology today.