Windows come in all shapes and sizes. But style isn’t the only thing you can customize on a brand new set of replacement windows. Why not experiment with different panes of glass too?
Most Common Glass Types
The type of glass in any given window mostly depends on its size and location. Larger windows experience more stress and need stronger glass, for example, while bathroom windows need special treatment for privacy. However, a few glass styles focus more on aesthetics than functionality. Several of the most common glass types for replacement windows include:
- Low-E
- Laminate glass
- Decorative or privacy glass
- Tempered glass
1) Low-E
Low-emissivity glass, usually called Low-E, provides an excellent boost to any home’s energy efficiency. This type of glass is coated with a very thin, transparent barrier that allows natural light into your home while blocking most infrared and ultraviolet light, keeping a great amount of heat outside your house. Modern windows are required to have Low-E treatments, and to fulfill this requirement, most homeowners choose Cardinal 366 glass. This particular type of glass is designed to block 95% of all UV rays that fade furniture, floors, and drapes.
2) Laminate Glass
Laminate glass consists of a remarkably durable film sandwiched between two panes of glass to provide excellent security against shattering. Not only does this make laminate glass windows stronger overall, but it also provides excellent protection against burglars breaking a window to get inside. Better yet, the design of laminate windows also reduces the amount of ambient noise that makes it into your home. For a good balance of security and comfort, laminate glass is an excellent choice.
3) Decorative or Privacy Glass
Whether creating an attractive and unique appearance for your home’s entry or providing complete privacy from peering eyes, there is a decorative glass that will be right for you. Decorative glass comes in both geometric and random patterns that can give your home the personalized appearance that you desire, with the more complex patterns or specialized Satin types providing complete privacy, perfect for bathroom use. Many decorative glass types have an ‘obscurity rating’ which helps identify glass that may be more appropriate for entries or bathrooms, with a rating of 9 or above being almost impossible to see through and providing the greatest privacy.
Pro Tip: Glass with a high obscurity rating gives you plenty of sunlight but also a high degree of privacy. Use this type of glass anywhere you don’t want passersby to be able to see inside your home.
4) Tempered Glass
Tempered glass, the most common type of safety glass, is specially heat-treated to be four times stronger than typical glass. However, there’s an added bonus. If safety glass does eventually break, it shatters into small, round pieces rather than massive jagged edges. This greatly reduces the risk of anyone getting hurt if a safety glass window breaks. In specific locations where someone might accidentally fall through a window, like a bathtub staircase, tempered glass is often mandated by the building’s code.
Choosing Your Window Glass
Sometimes, your window contractor will choose the glass type for you in windows where safety regulations require a certain type. But you’ll have plenty of chances to experiment with glass styles in other parts of your home. Get in touch with a knowledgeable contractor to discover the many glass options available designed with your safety in mind.
Connect with us to learn more about replacement windows and customization.
