The local climate, the configuration, structure and surroundings of a building, the position and orientation of the glazing and the glazed infill material govern the build up of solar heat in a building.

Intelligent positioning of the patent glazing may enable the designer to maximise the beneficial winter solar heat whilst controlling the sometimes overpowering summer solar heat. Heat gain can be reduced further by the use of a solar control or reflective glass or by internal/external shading devices.

Due to an uneven build up of heat and the risk of thermal stresses, 6.4mm laminated glass should not be considered for a patent glazing design where internal shading devices are in close proximity to the patent glazing.