As sustainability increasingly shapes the lifecycle of superyachts, refit projects are no longer driven solely by aesthetics or modernisation. They have become a concrete opportunity to enhance comfort, efficiency and on-board performance. Among the many areas where innovation is reshaping the refit landscape, glass stands out as one of the most impactful – transforming from a passive surface into an active component for energy optimisation.

For over two decades, Viraver has been at the forefront of marine glazing technology, developing advanced solutions that combine optical quality, strength and energy performance. Today, that same innovation finds a second life in the refit sector, where upgrading obsolete glazing systems can generate measurable improvements in thermal comfort and energy efficiency, while extending the vessel’s overall lifespan.

From replacement to redesign
In most refit operations, the glazing upgrade can take two main directions: replacement or redesign. In a replacement, the existing windows are reproduced exactly as they are – same geometry, colour and curvature – to restore the original configuration without altering the vessel’s design or certification parameters. This approach is often adopted when the refit scope is limited in time or focused on maintenance rather than innovation.

A redesign, on the other hand, allows for a complete re-engineering of the glazing system, introducing modern materials and technologies to achieve improved thermal, optical and structural performance. Both approaches share a common challenge: integrating modern glazing into an existing structure.

The glass seat – the structural recess where the panel is bonded to the yacht’s hull – must often be adapted. Updated regulations or revised design pressures may require thicker glass, while modern design tools and materials sometimes allow for thinner sections. Balancing these aspects without compromising alignment, waterproofing or optical continuity demands precise engineering, 3D measurement and class approval coordination.

Engineering beyond replacement
Each Viraver refit project begins with a detailed technical assessment. When the composition of the existing glass is unknown – which is often the case – the team reconstructs the original build-up using available drawings, on-board inspections and optical measurements. Once the input data are validated, new glass configurations are dimensioned according to ISO 11336-1, ensuring compliance with the latest structural requirements from classification societies.

Key to Viraver’s methodology is the combination of chemical strengthening, structural interlayers and energy-selective PVBs. Chemically strengthened glass can achieve up to twice the flexural strength of thermally tempered glass, enabling lighter constructions with greater durability and improved resistance to surface damage. Structural interlayers such as SentryGlas™ provide a shear modulus more than 100 times higher than standard PVB, ensuring rigidity and long-term stability.

Quantifying the benefits
To translate this approach into measurable performance, Viraver conducted a comparative study on yacht glazing, evaluating a typical main deck side window (3.0 × 2.5 metres). Three configurations were analysed:

1. Traditional laminated glass (10/10/12, thermally tempered)
2. Modern insulating glazing unit (6/6/8–16–6, chemically strengthened)
3. The same IGU with a low-emissivity coating.

The results were significant:

Such gains translate into direct benefits for on-board comfort and energy consumption. A lower U-value reduces heat loss (an improvement of up 72 per cent), improving insulation and stabilising interior temperatures, while a reduced g-value limits solar gain (an improvement up to 59 per cent), easing the load on HVAC systems. Combined, these effects support smaller, more efficient air-conditioning units a tangible impact on both fuel consumption and operational costs.

Addressing technical complexities
Upgrading glass in existing vessels, however, is rarely easy. Colour matching is one of the most delicate aspects, as tonal variations can depend on both the glass substrate and the interlayer pigmentation. Optical uniformity must be ensured under varying light conditions, especially when the replacement concerns just a part on the windows.

The bonding area may also require adaptation. Over time, adhesives, sealants and interface materials evolve; modern structural silicones provide better mechanical performance and UV resistance but demand precise control of tolerances. Moreover, class societies may require renewed calculations and approvals, particularly when replacing single laminates with IGUs or when using chemically strengthened plies. Viraver’s in-house engineering department supports yards throughout this process, from 3D scanning to final class validation, ensuring compliance and smooth coordination across all refit phases.

Beyond energy: comfort and longevity
While numerical performance is easily measured, some of the most valuable improvements are perceptual. Modern glass systems not only enhance thermal control but also reduce noise transmission and increase visual comfort, thanks to improved optical clarity and UV filtering. These aspects, though intangible in metrics, have a profound influence on the on-board experience.

Furthermore, upgrading glazing extends the service life of the yacht itself. By integrating materials engineered for durability, refit operations prevent obsolescence and align with a circular vision of sustainability, maximising the value of what already exists rather than replacing it entirely.

Conclusion
Refit is not just about restoration, it’s about evolution. Through innovation in glass technology, Viraver transforms every glazing upgrade into a step towards greater efficiency, comfort and longevity. By combining structural engineering, materials science and aesthetic precision, the company continues to redefine what yacht glazing can achieve, proving that sustainability, when approached through intelligence and precision, is not an add-on but a natural extension of excellence.

VIRAVER TECHNOLOGY
Since its foundation in 2000, Viraver Technology has transformed the glass and polycarbonate sector. Viraver has established itself in the market as a leading company in the transformation of these transparent materials into an element that can give shape to the vision of designers and engineers. Glass is increasingly appreciated not only for its aesthetic appeal, but also as a structural design element in cutting-edge projects.

Viraver’s mission is to anticipate and meet the needs of customers, perfectly blending aesthetics, functionality and safety.

Viraver is future-oriented, committed to providing innovative and design solutions. With the “turnkey” project management system, Viraver offers its customers an all-inclusive service, starting from the pre-design phase, up to installation or, if required, maintenance. Over the years, passion, innovation, quality and training have consolidated Viraver’s leadership in the transformation of glass and polycarbonate, ensuring high quality products for the yachting, automotive, architecture and industry, defence and security sectors.

Quality, reliability and custom projects
Viraver’s future vision is represented by the constant commitment to developing, managing and creating new solutions to meet the needs of customers.

The ambition is to always give a concrete answer, building an advanced form of co-design in the design phase in order to guarantee the most suitable solution for the creation of a product of excellence.

For 25 years, Viraver has been synonymous with innovation, quality and safety.

Profile links

Viraver Technology

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.