Residential Window Glass: Making Sense of Different Types of Glass
Things used to be a whole lot simpler a few decades ago. There weren’t too many options available to someone looking for a residential window glass. Commonly, home owners could choose between ‘thin’ and ‘tough’ glass. At the most, they could get them tinted or painted.
Today, glass counterpanes, furniture, tiles and wall of varying durability and transparency are replacing conventional building materials. Architects select different types of glass for windows with different configurations. One used for the window in your house will differ substantially from commercial door. The type of glass you select for your window will affect the comfort, energy consumption, insulation, noise level and security of your home.
Let’s take a look at the common types of residential glass window. Each type has its unique qualities. Understanding each type will make it simpler for you choose the right types for your window.
Patterned Glass
Pattered one is covered with patterns or designs. Usually translucent, this can be color or plain. It is perfect for situations where both natural light and privacy are required. The patterns on it prohibit anyone from looking through the glass, but enough light escapes through the glass to light the room.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is coated with material that reduces the transmission of light, ensuring that your home doesn’t heat up too much during the summers. This will also offers you privacy: you can see through the glass, but people on the other side cannot see you. Tinted glass is commonly used in cars. You can also avail residential glass tinting services and get your existing one tinted.
Low Emissivity Glass
This type of glass is coated with a special material comprising metal oxide compounds. The coating reflects a large percentage of harmful UV rays, and it absorbs a lot of the heat energy. The effect totally depends on the thickness of the coating, and you can customize the coatings to increase to decrease heat gain. This type is quite durable and is perfect for hot climates.
Double Paned or Insulated Glass
Double paned is two sheets of glass separated by air or special gases. This kind of glass offers unparalleled insulation against cold, wind and noise. For extremely cold climates, triple-pane windows are also available. If your house is located in a noisy neighborhood, or if you live in an extremely cold climate, this is a good option for residential window.
Impact-Resistant Glass
As the name suggests, this type of glass doesn’t break easily. Impact-resistant is made by combining multiple sheets with layers of plastic. Even if it breaks, the internal layers hold the broken fragments together. If you want to minimize your residential glass repair bills, this is your best option. For areas with high risk of hurricanes, this is the ideal type of glass for windows.