[MEDIA RELEASE] Lumon glazing solutions pave the way for greener living

The world’s leading manufacturer of frameless balcony glazing solutions, Lumon, offers an innovative approach to making outdoor spaces more usable and sustainable. Converting balconies into comfortable, multi-purpose areas, Lumon’s glazing solutions connect homes to nature and prove to be an effective solution to the increasing demands for greener building in both Europe and North America.

“We have examples of cases where cities choose to always design with Lumon when making rental apartments. The facades are already designed from the beginning with these kinds of balconies, because then the lifetime renovation costs are so much lower, and the lifetime of balcony facades is significantly extended,” notes VP of International Operations and Sustainability Jari Miettinen. In fact, the benefits for incorporating Lumon already in the planning phase of projects are many, as elements of efficiency and smooth site logistics can be taken into consideration from the start. Often, this solution proves to be more cost-effective and efficient than choosing to install glazing later on.

The European Union, through the European Commission, has set an ambitious target to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.  The construction and building sector play a crucial role in meeting this target, as buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. Also, all new buildings in the EU must be zero-emission in 2030, according to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (EU) 2024/1275. And the average primary energy use of the entire residential building stock in the EU needs to be decreased by at least 16% by 2030, and at least 20-22% by 2035, both compared to 2020.

The key sustainability benefits of Lumon’s balcony solutions are backed by 30+ years of user experience, testing, simulations, and research:

Energy Savings: Lumon balconies significantly enhance energy efficiency by reducing heating energy consumption by up to 16%, depending on the building’s location and orientation. This efficiency is achieved through the creation of an air cushion between the glazing and the facade, as well as the use of blinds to control solar heat gain.

Facade Protection: By shielding buildings from environmental elements such as driving rain, salt water, oxygen, and freezing and melting cycles, Lumon balconies extend the maintenance cycle of facades by up to 10 years by slowing down the decarbonization of concrete and protecting existing structures. This protection reduces the need for new materials and repairs, preserving the building’s appearance and structural integrity.

Low-Carbon Materials: Lumon is at the forefront of sustainability by offering low carbon balcony glazing products for balcony facade projects. This is achieved by using recycled aluminum and glass, which lowers CO2 emissions of the finished product by 40 to 50%, appealing to environmentally conscious customers.

Solar Energy Integration: Lumon’s building-integrated photovoltaic railings (Lumon eRailing) harness renewable energy, with solar cells embedded in the glass panels generating electricity, further contributing to a building’s green footprint.

Lumon’s sustainability efforts are additionally backed by an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), a verified and registered document of each of Lumon’s product lines which provides transparent and comparable information about the life-cycle environmental impact of products. The EPD for Lumon’s balcony glazing products highlights their low carbon footprint, long service life, and recyclability at the end of use. Lumon is one of the first companies in the balcony glazing industry to achieve this certification and aims to extend it to other products in the future.

North American cities are also quickly adapting to changing standardizations in green standards. In some cities such as the City of North Vancouver, bylaws have been amended to ease permitting retractable glazing products. Recently, Lumon’s balcony glazing technology was also approved by Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, streamlining adoption across Ontario. The approval ensures that Lumon’s product complies with Ontario’s strict building, safety, and municipal laws, making the product eligible for use in construction projects across the province.

“By including Lumon facade solutions (Lumon Glazing, Lumon Railing, Lumon eRailing) in residential projects, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced and the use of renewable energy increased through passive means in the construction industry helping to achieve EU’s climate goals. Beyond that, Lumon balcony facade solutions also bring plenty of other benefits for both property owners and residents, like providing noise reduction, adding property value, and creating more space for the apartment,” concludes Jari Miettinen.

For more information:

Jari Miettinen, VP of International Operations and Sustainability, Lumon Group

+358 400 817 341, [email protected]

About Lumon

Lumon is a Finnish, family-owned, international group focused on the design, sales, production, and installation of frameless balcony facade and terrace glazing solutions. With a significant presence and decades of experience in both European and North American markets, Lumon offers a diverse product range, including balcony glazing, glass terraces, facade solutions, and maintenance services. Lumon’s production facilities are in Finland, Spain, and Canada. In 2023, Lumon Group’s revenue was EUR 182 million and it employed more than 1 200 people.