Different Types of Window Glass

If you’re after window glass repair or getting a new glass installation done, you want to ensure you pick the right type of glass which not only looks good but also suits the needs of your home. We’ve listed a few of the most common types of glass used in homes in Sydney NSW so you can choose what’s best for your project.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF WINDOW GLASS

Float Glass

Annealed glass or float glass is a basic type of flat glass product. It is the initial result of the overall glass manufacturing process. During production, annealed glass is slowly cooled under controlled conditions. Internal stresses are removed from the glass by the annealing procedure.

Float Glass Benefits

  • Cost-effective
  • Outstanding light transmission with a clear tone
  • Available in various opaque options and tones
  • Outstanding visibility
  • Surface strength offers the thermal-stress resistance and wind-load performance that most architectural applications need
 

Laminated Glass

Also called safety glass, laminated glass is made up of two sheets of glass that are bonded together permanently with an interlayer that is designed to improve impact resistance and acoustics. When it meets relevant standards, laminated glasses may be classified as Grade A safety glass.

Laminated glass is ideal for the areas of the house that are most prone to damage from human impact including full-length windows, doors, and bathrooms. Laminated glass is well-suited for UV protection, additional security, energy efficiency, and sound reduction.

Laminated Glass Benefits

  • Acoustic rated laminated glass might help to minimise certain outside sounds
  • Safer – when it breaks, the fragments of glass stay inside the panel that are bonded to the interlayer, instead of breaking into shards that can be dangerous
  • Standard laminated glass offers improved protection against UV rays that can fade kitchen benchtops and furnishings
  • Low-E laminated glass may reduce the amount of heat conduct through the glass by about 30% when compared with annealed glass. Also, low-E glass improves thermal efficiency further by reducing glare
  • Available in a range of opaque options and tones

Toughened Glass

Often toughened glass is called tempered glass or safety glass. Under Australian Standards, it is classified as Grade A safety glass. Toughened glass is a type of annealed glass. It is heated inside a furnace and then cooled rapidly. The toughening process lowers the risk of cracking. Toughened glass, compared to a standard annealed glass with the same thickness, is five times stronger. The main purpose provided by toughened glass is reducing the chances of injuries if human impact causes the glass to break.

Toughened Glass Benefits

  • Available in various opaque options and tones
  • Well suited to use in large openings
  • Thermally and physically stronger compared to regular glass
  • Safer – when it breaks, this type of glass shatters into very tiny pieces instead of breaking into shards that can be dangerous
  • Suitable when safety, thermal resistance, and strength are important considerations

Low-E Glass

There is a coating on Low-E Performance Glass that allows for natural light to shine through without radiant heat being emitted, which maximises energy and light efficiency. Low-E Glass may be used when greater thermal and solar control is needed when there is no natural heating. This option should also be considered for new home Energy Efficiency Ratings, especially in situations where you desire plenty of light. It is important to know how to clean Low-E Glass properly to avoid damaging the coating.

Low-E Glass Benefits

  • Provides greater solar control and improved insulation when tints are used to enjoy comfortable temperatures inside your house all year long
  • Is available in a wide range of various tones
  • Blocks out UV rays and protects flooring and furniture

Double Glazed

This type of glass is made up of two panes of glass that are separated by a layer or argon gas or air and are then sealed. It is known that argon gas creates an insulation barrier that is more effective compared to air by significantly reducing both thermal conductivity and heat flow through the glass. In all of their double-glazing products, Jason Windows uses only Argon gas.

Double glazing has thermal benefits that make it perfect for windows that are in rooms where you want more control over heat loss and gains through the windows.

Double Glazing Benefits

Outstanding insulation performance reduces energy costs. Types of performance glass like Low-E may be used for double glazing to increase energy efficiency even further

When the right glass combinations are used it can minimise noise. It can be beneficial if you live in a flight path or on a busy street. If your only requirement is noise reduction then the more cost effective solution will be laminated glass.

Reduces condensation that can arise when humid warm air condenses on a glass surface that is fairly cold.

Reduces the necessity for insulation that the window coverings provide. When you are not concerned with privacy, blinds or curtains might be deemed to be unnecessary for the comfort level of the room temperature.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mir-M Azfal

Mir-M Azfal

Shawn Arkley is a glazier with many years experience providing glass replacement services and currently services the Sydney Eastern Suburbs area.

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