Types of Glass

There are many different types of glass to choose – each with its own unique pros and cons:

Double-Pane Insulated Glass is formed when two pieces of glass are spaced apart and sealed to form a single-glazed unit with an air space in between the two pieces of glass. This air space creates insulation for the window, keeping heat inside the home during cold weather.

Laminated Glass is created by joining two or more pieces of glass together with an inner layer of transparent plastic. It is designed to retain adherence of glass on the plastic layer in the event of breakage. Laminated glass is four times more impact resistant than non-tempered glass. It also is very effective in reducing sound transmission through the window.

Low E Glass is a low emissivity glass that has a transparent coating on it. This coating acts as a thermal mirror, as it reflects radiant heat and allows the passage of visible light. In hot climates, Low E glass reflects solar heat, keeping the inside of your home cooler. In cold climates, Low E glass reflects the radiant heat back into the house, keeping your home warm. Cooling and heating costs are ultimately reduced, as the Low E keeps your house comfortable during both the winter and summer seasons.

Obscure Glass is used for privacy, decoration or light diffusion. A design is pressed into the glass during the rolling process and this design makes the glass translucent, allowing light to pass through, but creating a blurred surface.

Single-Pane Glass is exactly what one would assume. Because it consists of only one pane of glass, it is not insulated in any way and is therefore considered very inefficient with respect to energy conservation. It is not uncommon to be able to feel the temperature difference next to a single-pane window versus the rest of the room. Older buildings were built almost exclusively with single-pane windows.

Tempered Glass is reheated to a temperature right below its melting point and is then cooled quickly. This process makes the glass much stronger than regular glass. Tempered glass is designed to spread force and break into many smaller pieces upon impact.

Tinted Glass reduces both visual and radiant transmittance in the window. It reduces heat transfer, as it filters out ultraviolet light. The tint is created when a mineral called Admixture is added to the glass.