A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating having one or more materials selected from tin oxide, silica, titania, alumina, zirconia, zinc oxide and alloys and mixtures thereof nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof, and oxy-nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. As a result of the undercoating, the coated substrate can exhibit improved properties such as improved aesthetic properties, increased durability, photocatalytic activity, mechanical durability, etc.