Top Six Most Common Glass Window Options

Your windows are an important part of your home’s infrastructure. The purchase of new windows represents a significant investment in that infrastructure, so it’s important for you to spend plenty of time researching the most common glass window options to see which will be the best fit for your home.

Here are a few options in glass window types you are likely to come across in your search:

• Float glass: Float glass is made by pouring molten glass into a tin mold, where it then takes the shape of very large glass panels. Float glass can be used for different types of glass for windows. On its own, it is weak and can easily break, but when used in conjunction with other materials, it can be quite useful.
• Tempered glass: Float glass can go through an additional process called annealing, which involves slowly cooling down the glass to strengthen it. After that, an additional process is tempering, which further strengthens the already-annealed glass. While tempered glass cannot be cut (it’s too strong for that), it can still break if hit hard enough. When tempered glass breaks, the pieces are smaller than they would be with weaker types of glass. This type of glass is frequently used for windows that are low to the ground, especially those that are also large and/or located near particularly busy, high-traffic areas.
• Laminated glass: Laminated glass is designed to provide additional structural integrity. It features two pieces of float glass with a layer of a thin resin pressed between the panes. The resin adds strength and prevents the window from shattering if broken. Common applications for laminated glass include car windshields, hurricane windows and storefront windows for businesses.
• Insulated glass: This type of glass is what you’ll find in standard double- and triple-pane windows. The glass panes are separated by a space bar, and the open area gets filled with argon or krypton gas, which provides a layer of insulation between the panes. These gases improve the U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of the windows, both of which are measurements of the window’s ability to block the sun’s rays.
• Obscured glass: Obscured glass involves the use of certain types of designs that allow light to still penetrate the glass but make it impossible to see through. These features could be etches or bevels. You’ll often find them used for bathroom windows or other settings where some additional privacy might be beneficial.
• Low-E glass: The “E” here refers to emissivity. Low emissivity means the window is effective at blocking out ultraviolet rays, which can damage the skin and some of your home’s materials, such as upholstery and wood. Low-E glass is also effective at keeping your home a consistent temperature.

As you’re looking to purchase windows, it’s beneficial for you to consult a professional about the most common glass window options, so you can determine what will best suit your needs. For more information about our services, contact the experts at Santa Fe Glass & Mirror.

Categorised in: Window Glass

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