Types Of Window Glass Options

When you’re choosing new windows for your home or office you might not realise that you have a lot of choices when it comes to the types of window glass options that are available to you. Different types of window glass are going to provide different benefits to your home or office so it’s important to understand what you are looking for out of your glass and windows. Take a look at the 5 most common types of glass window options here and how they differ.

Laminated safety glass is the perfect option for safety-conscious individuals who don’t want to risk their glass shattering everywhere in the case of a broken window. Laminated glass is also perfect for those who are security conscious and don’t want glass that is easily breakable. Laminated safety glass is created by fusing two panes around a layer of polyvinyl butyrate utilising heat and pressure to create a glass that is incredibly strong and will be able to withstand a significant amount of impact. This offers the absolute best in safety and security, as the interlayer prevents the glass from shattering and posing a risk of injury. Any of the following types of glass can be laminated: 

• Annealed Glass
• Heat-Strengthened Glass
• Tempered Glass
  

Annealed glass is a basic product that is formed out of the annealing stage of the float process. Molten glass is left to cool in a slow, controlled way until it comes down to room temperature, and this helps it to become sturdy and resistant to easy cracking. Annealed glass is generally seen as the base product for more advanced types of glass.

Heat-strengthened glass is semi toughened or semi-tempered. It usually involves heating annealed glass up to around 700 degrees and then cooling it very quickly. This process makes it twice as strong as annealed glass.

This is an even tougher type of glass that is usually used for things like balustrades and other structural applications. It has a different cooling process that makes it four to five times stronger than annealed glass.

Double glazed windows are a particularly popular choice of glass for residential buildings and homes as they provide a fantastic level of insulation, making a property much more eco friendly and energy-efficient. They also offer excellent sound insulation, which can be great if you live near a busy road. Double glazed windows (also known as insulated glass) are a type of window that features two panes that are separated by a small gap in between.

Float glass is one of the more basic types of windows. It is a basic sheet of glass that is yet to be treated or cut. Whilst this type of glass is low cost and can be easily tailored to your specific needs, it isn’t particularly strong and is liable to breakage.

Tinted glass is a fantastic choice for property owners who are looking for added privacy. It can be tinted in different shades which makes it a great option if you want to obscure what is going on inside or reduce the amount of sunlight getting in.

Obscured glass is glass that has been made opaque, making it practically impossible to see through. This type of glass is often used in bathrooms windows to allow light in but prevent anyone from seeing through. Obscured glass can be plain or can have patterns in it, to make it even more difficult to see through. However, even with standard obscured glass you shouldn’t see more than vague shadows through the glass.

If you’re looking to have new window glass installed at your home or office, we can help. Get in touch with our team of experts today and have a chat with us about where you’re planning on placing the glass and what your requirements for the glass are. We’ll be able to provide you with several options and get the process of having the new glass installed started ASAP. What are you waiting for? Give us a call today.