Step-By-Step Instructions Of Glass

Glass – How to Buy It

A homeowner can get a lot for his money or a little when he buys glass for windows, doors or partitions. But if he knows which glass will do what, and how to buy it, he won’t pay double or triple prices for plate glass when he could have used heavy sheet glass, nor will he waste money by ordering glass by the sheet when he could have used a case.

Window glass, also called sheet glass, is the most commonly used in the house. In fact before glass walls and picture windows were used it was usually the only kind. It comes in two thicknesses, single strength and double strength; and in two qualities, A and B.

Grades A and B differ only in the number of small defects and waves. However, the difference is not ordinarily noticeable, and many dealers don’t even stock A quality because they do not believe that it is worth a 25 % premium.

Whether to use single or double strength depends mainly on window size. A good rule to follow is to use double strength for anything over about two feet square. How large can double strength glass be? If winds don’t exceed 70 m.p.h., double strength glass may be used in sizes up to 38″x48″, or 34″x72″.

The next price jump to crystal sheet or plate glass is very sharp. If you want a window wall consider the possibilities of working it out using the indicated dimensions of double strength instead of plate glass. This can be most attractive and at about one-fourth the cost. Go right across the room with 30″x72″ double-strength glass placed vertically. The distance of approximately 30″ to the floor can be plain wall or used for built-in bookcases, cabinets or ventilating louvers.

Case Lots

Buying window glass by the case is one way to save money. Glass by the case doesn’t cost much more than half as much as by the sheet. It’s also easier to handle. At economical prices you can afford to use glass liberally in anything you build or remodel or enclose. And, buying by the case does not mean you’re stockpiling it for years to come. Usually a case of window glass is whatever number of sheets comes nearest to totaling 50 square feet. Cases of very large sheets contain 100 square feet.

Crystal sheet, which is heavy window glass of good quality, is the economical thing to buy when the opening is too big for double strength.

Plate glass, which is polished to optical perfection, may be 1/8″ thick or for a big view window, 1/4″ thick. If you have a long-distance view through your window, you will need plate glass. Otherwise you can use crystal sheet; for short distances you will never notice the slight waviness.

For plate and usually crystal sheet, in sizes too big for you to handle and too expensive for you to risk breaking, you must figure …