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Energy-Efficient Blocks Lower Solar Heat Gain

To meet more stringent energy codes in various parts of the country, Hy-Lite® Products has developed Solar Blocks — energy-efficient acrylic block windows for residential or commercial projects where solar heat gain is an issue.

Hy-Lite® Products is headquartered in Beaumont, CA, with a manufacturing facility also in Eatonton, GA. Its parent company, SBR, Inc., is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — the Supplier 100 of NAHB.

Solar Blocks look slightly tinted because of a micro-layer metal coating inside their exterior-facing side that helps deflect the sun’s rays and lower the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of the unit.

“The Solar Block beats the maximum .40 shading coefficient that is required in Texas and other areas adopting the IECC 2000 Building Code,” says Karl Hatrak, product/process development director for Hy-Lite® Products.

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Used with other energy efficient building materials and supplies, the Solar Block can help reduce the penetration of infrared rays that can damage furnishings and floor coverings inside the home.

Solar Block windows can be included as part of a low-E window package in a residential project.

The blocks are two inches thick and six- or eight-inches square. They come in clear and clear frosted wave patterns, in vinyl or aluminum frames.

Hy-Lite® Products manufactures a full line of acrylic-block operable and fixed windows, radius walls, door insert units and partitions.

The company also offers a variety of specialty window products for new construction and retrofit applications, including basement hopper windows.
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