What Type of Glass is Used in Windows?

If you are in the market for new or replacement windows, you could be wondering what type of glass is used in windows.

A wide range of glass types is recommended for use in windows. Window glazing can be Low-E, laminated, mirrored, and so on, but the best option for your window is determined by your needs, location, window type, and, of course, your budget. Most importantly, the type of window glass. This article will teach you everything you need to know about selecting the best glass window type.

How to Select the Right Type of Window Glass for Your House

The three most important factors when purchasing window glazing are climate, location, and window orientation. Other secondary factors influencing the choice of the right glass for your home include insulation, heat loss, gain, ventilation, and acoustics.

Location

If you live in an area with colder, longer winters, you need more insulating glass than regular glass. Choosing low emissivity (Low-E) and insulating glass is the best way to insulate your windows. These types of glass insulate and significantly improve your home's energy efficiency. Noise reduction is also enhanced by insulation glass. For homes in hotter climate zones, choose glass that absorbs and reflects heat, such as toned (tinted) glass or toned Low-E.

Orientation

Knowing how your windows are oriented and how much sunlight they receive throughout the year will influence the type of glass you require.

Direct the home's glass to the north, with eaves or shading to keep the sun off the glass. North-facing windows capture the sun's rays while avoiding the harshness of the afternoon heat. This contributes to a thermally efficient home. If your existing building does not allow for a northern orientation, you can still use different types of glass to help manage sun load, noise, privacy, and so on.

Environment

The surrounding area of your home will also determine the glass you choose. If you live in a high-density urban area or near a busy street, you may require acoustic noise-reducing glass to help reduce unwanted noise. Some homeowners may have privacy concerns, so you can consider a privacy glass that allows natural light into the home while also providing privacy. If you live in a bushfire-prone area, ensure the glass and windows you use are fire resistant.

Different Types of Window Glass

There are so many types of window glasses available. Each type has unique properties that make it unique to a specific use or location. Here are the types of glass windows you could consider for your development.

Float glass

Float glass is created by floating molten glass on top of molten tin to form large panels. The glass sheet is untreated, uncut, and uncolored. Because float glass is the most basic type of glass, it is of lower quality and thus not as strong. However, certain processes may be used to strengthen float glass.

Float glass is among the cheapest types of window glasses. The glass can be used in small windows for property where security is not such a big concern.

Laminated Safety Glass

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass produced by sandwiching an inner layer of plastic, such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB), between two layers of glass under intense heat and pressure. The likelihood of injury to an occupant from shattered glass is decreased because laminated glass sticks to the interlayer upon impact.

Laminated safety glass is a popular choice for those worried about security or requiring thicker glass for their windows.

Obscured Glass

Obscure glass is also known as privacy glass. Depending on the treatment, it can be transparent or opaque. It can also be reflective and patterned. It is an excellent choice for bathrooms, offices, restaurants, and other street-side rooms. Privacy glass allows sunlight while shielding you and your property from prying eyes because only shadows can be seen through obscure glass by someone on the outside.

Tinted Glass

Tinted glass is made when color is applied to standard window glass, usually for esthetic reasons.

Tinted glass can reduce the amount of sunlight that comes into a room and, in some circumstances, aid in UV protection. It is somewhat of an upgrade for someone seeking more opulent privacy window glass than clouded glass. Tinted glass is also energy-efficient since it is made to absorb heat, lowering heating and cooling costs.

Tempered Glass

The glass that has been compressed to increase strength is known as tempered glass. When struck, tempered glass shatters into very small, dull fragments. It is frequently used as safety glass since it is five times stronger than ordinary glass while still being breakable in an emergency.

Insulated Glass

One of the more typical forms of glass in a home is insulated glass, sometimes double glazing or triple glazing.

Typically, two or three glass panes with air or a gas, such as krypton or argon, between them (s). As a result, the energy transfer between the interior and outside of the house is lessened by the window insulation. Insulated glass is a suitable option for a typical window in a home, where energy efficiency is also a key consideration.

Mirrored Glass

Mirrored glass has a mirrored appearance. It is created by coating one side of a pane of glass with a metal coating and then sealing it with a protective sealant. Although it is intended for interior decoration, it is not uncommon for this type of glass to be used on exterior windows, particularly in commercial buildings.

Low-E glass

Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass is glass that has been coated with a special transparent substance that reflects thermal radiation, reducing the amount of light that passes through it. It reflects heat away from the house in the summer and heat trying to escape the house back in the winter. The low-E glass reflects the sun's rays, reducing the solar impact on property temperature and energy costs.

Low emissivity (Low-E) glass may be the best option if thermal radiation is a factor on your property.

Impact Resistant Glass

Impact-resistant glass, also known as hurricane glass, is a type of laminated glass designed to protect against flying debris. Because broken glass adheres to the inner layer of the window on impact, hurricane glass reduces the danger posed by broken windows.

Wired Glass

Wire glass is frequently misidentified as a type of security glass, yet it is rarely used for security purposes. It functions as a fire-resistant glass. The wires keep the glass in place when subjected to high temperatures while also preventing shards of glass from escaping when a hosepipe is used against it. Wired glass is not commonly used in home window glazing but is widely used on social or commercial properties, particularly schools and hospitals.

We hope this information helps you to make an informed decision when choosing glass for your development.