If you’re looking for residential window glass repair or home window replacement, you need to do your research on the type of glass you need to ensure that you make a suitable investment. Here are different types of window glass available in the market.

FLOAT WINDOW GLASS

Float glass is named after the process through which it’s made. It is manufactured by floating molten glass on the molten tin to produce thin, smooth, and large glass panels. Float glass is a basic sheet of glass that’s later cut, treated, and framed to form the raw material of windows and doors. It’s low-cost and colorless and often a preferred choice for people who are looking for classic transparent glass windows and doors.

SAFETY LAMINATED WINDOW GLASS

Safety laminated glass is a security-enhanced, extra-strong glass made by combining two panes of glass within a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The manufacturing process entails using high pressure and heat to fuse a powerful glass panel.

If you want to install a glass that stays within its frame when it’s cracked, then safety laminated glass is your best choice. It uses the same technology as the glass in your car’s windshield. Instead of spraying the glass shards, it contains the glass pieces within the PVB layer.

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ANNEALED GLASS

Annealing is a controlled, slow, and meticulous process of reducing the temperature of float glass. This gradual cooling reduces the stress on the glass by quick cooling and strengthens it.

The float glass is annealed before it’s made into windows and doors. Compared to other types of glass, annealed glass is the weakest and leaves shards when broken.

TINTED GLASS

Tinting refers to adding color to any glass. Done to amp up the design aesthetic, increase privacy, and prevent heat from entering the house. Tinted glass can also save you from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

People usually use tinted glass on skylights, decorative panels, and vehicles. You can also use tinted glass for windows for additional privacy.

OBSCURED GLASS

If you want ample natural light to come in, but you don’t want to compromise on privacy, then obscured glass is your best choice. Obscured glass has etched, coated, or frosted patterns so that only vague shadows are visible through the glass. This glass is a popular choice for shower doors and bathroom windows.

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TEMPERED WINDOW GLASS

Tempered glass is annealed glass with four times the strength. You cannot cut tempered glass. Therefore, annealed glass is cut into the desired size and then heated to 1,200 degrees and cooled. After that, the glass panes are heated again to 550 degrees to make them soak the heat. This process of heating and cooling is called tempering. Tempering tests the strength of the glass before it’s used in real-life applications. It’s mostly used in glass doors because of its strength.

MIRRORED GLASS

Mirrored glass is made by adding a metal coating on one side of the glass pane. This metallic coating is protected with a layer of sealant to create a mirrored look. Mirrored glass is often used for decorative purposes on furniture, doors, and walls.

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INSULATED WINDOW GLASS

These glass windows are best for energy efficiency. Insulated glass consists of at least two or three glass panes with argon filled between the spaces. After that, these panes are tempered or laminated to finish the insulation process.

Insulated glass has a desiccant substance that prevents the glass panes from condensing. Insulated glass is the best choice for exterior windows as they keep your cooling and heating costs low.

The insulated glass comes in different thicknesses and qualities. Therefore, it’s essential to check their energy efficiency ratings before purchasing them.

LOW-E GLASS

Low-E refers to low emissivity. It’s a special coating that reflects thermal radiation while simultaneously filtering the sunlight.

It’s beneficial for your home because it reflects the heat away from your house during summers and prevents the heat from escaping from your house during winters. This feature results in lower cooling and heating costs.

Low-E glass is costly, but you can save up in the form of decreased heating and cooling costs in the long run. Please note that some low-E coatings have a tint in them. Therefore, it’s important that you choose the glass that looks best with your home’s aesthetic.

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WIRED GLASS

Wired glass is a fire-resistant glass. It has an in-built web of wires that keeps the glass shards held inside the window frame. Therefore, if there’s a fire, the glass won’t shatter into sharp shards. Instead, it will only crack. This glass is commonly used in hospitals, schools, and similar commercial buildings.

Wired glass can also withstand the pressure of a firefighter’s hose. While it’s ideal for a lot of commercial applications, it’s rarely used in residential window or door designs.

HEAT STRENGTHENED WINDOW GLASS

In order to strengthen annealed windows, the glass is heated to more than 1,200 degrees and cooled. Unlike tempered glass, it’s not cooled quickly. Therefore, it’s not very strong. However, heat-strengthened glass is more substantial than other low-grade glass panes, but it can break into small pieces. That’s why it’s not used for exterior windows unless it’s laminated.

Now that you’re aware of the wide range of glass available in the market and their uses, you wouldn’t have to think much before choosing a suitable glass for your residential and commercial window and doors. You can get the look, security, and energy efficiency and change the type of glass you use for each window and door based on the purpose its serves.

Quality Window and Glass Repair LLC offer commercial and residential window glass repair services in Germantown, MD. We provide low-cost and same-day window repair services for all types of commercial and residential glass needs—from glass doors, storefronts, and windows to tabletops and bathrooms. Our team has experience in sliding glass door repairs, frameless glass door repairs, insulated double pane glass, and more. Get in touch with them for quick and affordable service.