Introduction
A comfortable home needs the right glass for your windows, doors and any other glass specified place. That is why Kitek Windows recommends you to consider double glazing with the most appropriate glass types – a worthwhile investment to a warm, quiet and healthy home. Power bills also reduce significantly.
It is important to note that with several glazing options available, some glasses are made to keep the heat inside while others do away with outside noise and light among other things needing precautionary measures.
Glass Types Need Explanation
Glass types are full of vocabulary only known to the specialists, but that should not be a cause to worry. It is still confusing though. Glass starts in an untreated state, referred to as an ‘annealed glass’. From there, it undergoes various modifications to make it sturdier, elegant and provide a way to save energy costs.
Check the aisle below to get a glimpse of some of the common types of glasses that you can install in your building, or recommend to a client.
Toughened Glass
Also called tempered glass, this type is treated using heat to make it more break resistant. The procedure involves heating the glass to slightly below the 600 degrees Celsius softening temperature. The hotness is followed by quick cooling which enables it to have tension in the inner layer while the outer surface becomes compressed.
As a result, the toughened glass is twice stronger than the annealed glass. Breaking forms little chunks as opposed to irregular and dangerous wrecks, making it safer.
Laminated Glass
This is the type that holds together when shattered. Toughened glass can be made safer by laminating it. How? By adding one or more polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers during the manufacturing process. Upon breaking, the resin bonded glass layers stay together as the web of cracks forms all over, but the glass does not fall apart.
Low-E Glass
Low-E stands for low-emissivity. It refers to a thermal glass type that is designed to save energy. The composition consists of a thin transparent coating that absorbs thermal energy and reflects it back inside the room space rather than allowing it to escape outside.
An E-Activ glass coating detector detects the presence of a low-E coating on the glass before installing it.
Tinted Glass
Manufacturing of tints involves the addition of metal oxides to float glass. The glass absorbs solar energy with the sole purpose of re-radiating it. These types have proven to control the effects of scorching sun, and they are always appealing to the eye. Standard colours include green, blue, grey and bronze.
Though used to control heat from the sun, the insulation benefit is still minimal. Shattering, on the other hand, produces the irregular sharp and dangerous ruins of glass
Reflective Glass
There is more solar control here when compared to the tinted types above. Some of us might consider them if they want to create an appealing visual appearance. Such glasses possess a metallic coating that is highly reflective. Some of the colours include bronze, grey and brightened.
With this type, you will be able to see the outside world, but outsiders will see their reflections when trying to peep.
Obscure Glass
There are many glass types under the blurred family that come in various forms which all conform to any rolled glass with a pattern added to the surface. They are mostly used for decoration purposes. Laminated and painted glass types fall under obscure.
On the building’s exterior, dark or vague glass windows make your home adorned and provide a sense of security and privacy. Due to the translucent nature, intruders will have a hard time trying to peep through after the installation. The only disadvantage is that you will also not be able to see outside. You can, however, consider the reflective types (another obscure member).
Float Glass
This is the universal standard that defines many home windows. The methodology of creation encompasses making of a flat glass by floating molten glass on a bed of molten tin. It is then allowed to cool slowly, and the result is a flat surface with uniform thickness, which varies from 2-22mm.
The floats come untreated. What you need to consider when going for this option is:
- The amount of light transmitted.
- Glass thickness
It is the cheapest option to go for, but breaking hazards can be unbearable. Since the shattering forms acute pieces of broken glass, consider the above-described types that are stronger than this annealed choice.
Concluding on Glass Types
We have not yet exhausted the list since there are more glass types out there that also suit desired specifications. If you still doubt on what to go for, contact us through our ever-present customer care during working hours and we will provide you with the appropriate advice. The location of your house or commercial building affects the choice of glass to use between the panes. Reasons, of course, pertain to the weather patterns and what the climate dictates. That is why it is important to consult a professional before making the ultimate decision.