Selecting Performance Equivalent Alternatives: Oceania Glass
Who should read this: Architects • Specifiers • Fabricators • Glaziers • Builders
Reading time: ~8–10 minutes
Summary: If your documentation lists Oceania‑branded glass, this guide shows how to approve like‑for‑like substitutions based on performance intent. We list Oceania Glass alternatives, equivalents and replacements for EnergyTech™, LuxTech™, ComfortPlus™, EVantage®, SolTech™, plus security and acoustic options. We explain how to read the original spec, match centre‑of‑glass thermal/optical values, keep thickness/appearance, and document compliance. We also recommend adopting warm‑edge spacers where not specified to maximise perimeter performance and condensation resistance.
Introduction - Market context
In February 2025, Oceania Glass entered voluntary administration, creating uncertainty around manufacturing continuity, lead times and future product availability. For active projects, this introduces specification risk and programme risk—particularly where drawings nominate brand-only products.
The aim of this guide is to help you manage supply-chain risk by substituting to performance-equivalent assemblies that maintain thermal/optical intent, safety compliance and appearance—so projects can proceed without re-engineering. Cooling Brothers can supply IGUs with argon and warm-edge spacers (Ködispace 4SG / Super Spacer) to stabilise thermal performance and reduce condensation risk. This guide lists Oceania Glass alternatives, equivalents and replacements for EnergyTech™, LuxTech™, ComfortPlus™, EVantage®, SolTech™, plus security and acoustic options.
Identifying performance values for substitution
What matters to modelling and comfort is the performance intent. Extract the key thermal, optical and safety targets from the original spec before seeking to find an alternative that matches the makeup and aesthetics.
- Thermal: U‑value target, SHGC band
- Optical: VLT, exterior reflectance, colour/neutrality.
- Make‑up: Monolithic or IGU
- Acoustic target:(Rw/Ctr)(If specified)
- Coating surface: (#2 or #3); argon/air, cavity width
- Functional: Safety class (AS 2208), security or privacy requirements.
Once you’ve extracted the performance values (U‑value, SHGC, VLT, thickness, coating position, gas and spacer), choosing an equivalent is straightforward. Use the pairs below to translate common Oceania product names into Cooling Brothers options that maintain thermal/optical intent and appearance. Final selection remains project‑specific.
Like‑for‑like substitution steps
Approval moves quickly when you package the numbers and drawings the reviewer needs. Follow these steps to show your proposed performance‑equivalent monolithic glass or IGU meets the original intent and complies with the relevant standards.
- Request Cooling Brothers product data sheets for shortlisted alternatives (centre‑of‑glass thermal/optical values, make‑up, coating surface, gas, spacer type).
- Confirm equivalent or better centre‑of‑glass U‑value / SHGC to preserve the project’s energy‑efficiency intent.
- Match VLT and exterior appearance (neutrality/tint) to maintain design intent.
- Confirm compliance with AS/NZS 4666 (for IGUs) and AS 2208 (safety glazing) as applicable.
- Provide a substitution summary with shop drawings to the assessor/certifier and the design team for approval.
Tip: Where acoustic performance matters, use laminated or acoustic interlayers on the appropriate lite and keep argon + warm‑edge spacer for thermal performance.
Colour and tint matching
Matching appearance is often as important as matching thermal numbers—particularly on staged projects or façades already partly installed. Use the steps below to achieve a close colour/neutrality/reflectance match while protecting performance and avoiding costly call-backs.
Clear vs Neutral vs Low Iron
- Clear: Slight green cast from iron content that becomes more visible with thicker glass or in edge views. Maximises VLT (daylight) and renders colours naturally, but offers limited solar control unless paired with a coating.
- Neutral: Appears colour-balanced in both transmission and reflection—no strong blue/bronze/green bias. Often achieved using spectrally selective soft-coat stacks in IGUs or tuned hard-coat/tint combinations. Typically lower VLT than true clear because the coating is doing solar-control work.
- Low-iron: Reduces the green cast for a cleaner edge and truer transmitted colour; useful when the brief is “as clear as possible” while still targeting performance via a neutral soft-coat in an IGU.
Transmission vs reflection — specify which matters most
- Transmission (inside looking out): Aim for natural colour rendering and comfortable brightness. Neutral soft-coat stacks can keep the view close to colourless while lowering SHGC.
- Reflection (street view): What passers-by see. Neutral stacks tend to read grey/colourless in reflection, whereas standard clear can show a greenish flash. Always review samples at oblique angles against a dark backdrop to judge reflected colour.
IGU variables that shift appearance
- Coating family & surface: Soft-coat double/triple-silver on Surface #2 tends to produce a more neutral exterior reflection for solar control facades; Surface #3 can look slightly different due to cavity optics.
- Cavity gas & width: Argon and wider cavities subtly alter reflectance; keep these consistent when matching an existing façade.
- Glass thickness & iron content: Holding thickness (e.g., 6/12/6 vs 8/12/8) maintains similar reflectance. Use low-iron where “pure clear” edges are critical.
Tip: PVB or acoustic interlayers can impart a faint tint; confirm with project-specific samples if high colour accuracy is critical.
Colour and Tint: Workflow Tips
- Define visual intent in words: e.g., “neutral appearance in reflection with high daylight” or “clear look in transmission with low SHGC.”
- Record performance guardrails: U-value/SHGC/VLT bands you must hit.
- Request two sets of samples:
- Transmitted view samples - use to mount on a light box.
- Reflected view samples - mounted over a dark substrate.
- View outdoors at angle: Compare at 0°, 30°, 60°; check at midday and late afternoon. Photograph for record with settings noted.
- Mock an IGU stack if needed: When precise appearance is critical, request sealed IGU mock-ups with the exact coating surface (#2/#3), argon, and spacer produced to specification requirements.
- Lock thickness & cavity: Hold thickness/weight to avoid re-engineering and uncontrolled reflectance changes.
- Document the decision: In substitution notes, state tint/neutrality target, coating family, surface (#2/#3), cavity/gas, spacer, and whether low-iron is required.
Low-E alternatives: ComfortPlus™
- Type: Hard‑coat Low‑E family often supplied in tinted variants (e.g., neutral/grey/green) for solar control and glare reduction.
- Suitable applications: Residential and light commercial where a durable exposed coating and tinted aesthetics are desired without an IGU.
- Notes: Tint affects VLT and apparent colour; check exterior reflectance. For tighter SHGC and lower U‑value, consider moving to a soft‑coat IGU.
Recommended Cooling Brothers alternative(s):
ComfortPlus Clear™ → Cool-E Clear
ComfortPlus Neutral™ → Cool-E Neutral
Low-E alternatives: EnergyTech™
- Type: Hard‑coat (pyrolytic) Low‑E; durable; can be used monolithically or as the exterior lite in an IGU.
- Suitable applications: Budget‑sensitive solar control; retrofits; moderate selectivity requirements; areas where exposed coating is acceptable.
- Notes: Generally lower selectivity than soft‑coat IGU stacks; check colour tone (neutral vs cool/warm variants).
Tip: For higher performance or stricter SHGC targets, move to InsulCool soft‑coat IGU options.
Recommended Cooling Brothers alternative(s):
EnergyTech™ → Cool‑E Clear
EnergyTech™ Grey → Cool‑E Grey
Low-E alternatives: SolTech™
- Type: Solar‑control coated glass (product family may include hard‑coat or soft‑coat variants, depending on makeup).
- Suitable applications: Façades needing reduced SHGC with a controlled visual appearance.
- Notes: Confirm whether the original was monolithic or IGU‑only; match SHGC target and appearance.
Tip: SolTech™ has a neutral aesthetic that is bluer in appearance. Cool-E Solar Neutral and Cool-E Neutral are both bluer tinted glasses very close to SolTech Neutral. Cool-E Solar Neutral is slightly less blue.
Recommended Cooling Brothers alternative(s):
SolTech Neutral™ → Cool-E Solar Neutral / Cool-E Neutral
SolTech Grey™ → Cool-E Solar Neutral
Low-E alternatives: EVantage™
- Type: Performance glass line used for solar control and improved thermal comfort; typically paired to achieve moderate‑low SHGC with reasonable daylight.
- Suitable applications: Commercial/residential façades seeking a balance of glare control, heat reduction and daylight.
- Notes: Verify required appearance (neutral vs coloured) and whether used monolithically or within an IGU
Recommended Cooling Brothers alternative(s):
EVantage™ → Cool-E Solar Neutral
Low-E alternatives: LuxTech™
- Type: Spectrally selective soft‑coat designed for use inside IGUs.
- Suitable applications: High‑performance façades; large glazed areas; where low U‑value and controlled SHGC with good VLT are required.
- Notes: Specify coating surface (#2 for solar control; #3 for passive gains), argon cavity and warm‑edge spacer for best results.
Recommended Cooling Brothers alternative(s):
LuxTech™ → InsulCool Ultra Light-E
Other alternatives/equivalents
QLam™ / QLam Hush™ alternatives
- Type: PVB‑laminated safety glass; Hush includes an acoustic interlayer for improved Rw/Ctr.
- Suitable applications: Safety glazing to AS 2208; acoustic mitigation; interior partitions or IGU inner lites where noise control is required.
- Notes: Hold overall thickness and weight to avoid re‑engineering; combine with soft‑coat IGU where thermal targets apply.
Recommended Cooling Brothers alternative(s):
ComfortHush™, QLamHush™ → Whisper Acoustic
AssaultLam™ / IntruderLam™ alternatives
- Type: Security laminated glass with reinforced interlayers designed to resist forced entry and sustained impact.
- Suitable applications: Ground‑floor glazing, shopfronts, schools, public buildings, and locations with higher security or asset protection requirements.
- Notes: Confirm thickness, layer build‑up, and required security rating or test method; consider pairing with IGU makeups for thermal targets.
Recommended Cooling Brothers alternative(s):
AssaultLam™ → Secure Guard
IntruderLam™ → Secure Guard
Cool-E Performance Data: Monolithic
Cool-E Clear
Cool-E Neutral
Cool-E Grey
Cool-E Performance Data: IGU
Cool-E Clear
Cool-E Neutral
Cool-E Grey
Why warm-edge spacers improve alternatives
When substituting Oceania‑specified glass, adding a warm‑edge spacer is a simple way to improve energy efficiency and condensation resistance without redesign. By reducing thermal bridging at the perimeter, warm‑edge systems help preserve centre‑of‑glass gains in real buildings.
- Thermal edge performance: Warm‑edge spacers lower the edge u‑value versus aluminium, cutting perimeter losses and helping meet thermal targets.
- Condensation resistance: Higher interior edge temperatures reduce the risk of fogging and moisture at the glass/frame junctions.
- Durability & process: Flexible spacer systems accommodate movement and can enhance seal longevity.
- Manufacturing: Cooling Brothers builds IGUs using the Ködispace 4SG and Super Spacer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I use soft-coat instead of hard-coat?
Use soft-coat Low‑E when the glass will be inside an IGU and you require lower U‑values with tighter SHGC control (e.g., large glazed areas, west/north‑west facades, or when targeting higher energy performance).
Use hard‑coat Low‑E for exposed/monolithic applications or where durability and budget are primary drivers and the required selectivity is moderate.
Is a brand‑for‑brand swap acceptable?
Yes—when the performance intent is met or improved and standards compliance is documented (AS/NZS 4666 for IGUs; AS 2208 for safety glazing where applicable).
Can I keep the same colour and reflectance?
In most cases, yes. Provide appearance targets and we’ll propose neutral or toned options that maintain the design intent.
Will condensation risk change?
Specifying argon‑filled IGUs with warm‑edge spacers (Ködispace 4SG or Super Spacer) can improve interior edge temperatures and reduce condensation risk.
How to progress substitutions
→ Book a Technical Review with our team
Share elevations, orientations and performance targets to ensure correct substitutions are selected before fabrication. We’ll recommend coating placement (Surface #2/#3), argon/cavity width, warm-edge selection, and provide notes to avoid condensation and appearance mismatches.
Complete a request on our contact form below, or call us on 1300 040 799 to get started.
