Coatings are currently deposited on flat glass to improve the luminous, solar and thermal properties of fenestration. An appropriate choice of coated glasses for use in building is mainly based on the knowledge of their light transmittance and solar factor as functions of the solar radiation incidence angle. The determination of these two parameters by the direct measurement of coated glass angular transmittance and reflectance is not straightforward. This paper looks at single and double layer coatings on glass and compares the estimates of their homogeneity and thickness obtained by means of spectrophotometry and neutron reflectivity, respectively. Reasons for some discrepancies due to the different approaches and models adopted within the two techniques are also discussed.
