When buying windows and doors, its usual for customers to think about what size the frames will be, what the colour choices are, what the performance of the windows and doors are, etc, but its not often customers go into detail with the glass that’s being used in each frame.
As standard, we will specify the type of glass used in each item based on the size of the window. The larger the piece of glass, the thicker the piece of glass will be, etc. However, there are lots of things to consider when comes to which glass to use in each frame.
In this blog we will go through the different type of glass and when you might want to use them.
Float Glass
Float glass is the most basic type of glass and is used in a lot of windows that are above 800mm off the floor. Float glass isn’t used in doors or windows that are within 800mm of the floor as if kicked, float glass will shatter more easily than other types of glass.
Toughened Glass
Toughened glass is float glass that has gone through an additional thermal tempering process and then rapidly cooled to harden it, making it up to five times stronger than ordinary glass. Toughened glass can be used in both windows and doors and offers higher impact resistance and the ability to cope with temperature changes with ease. Toughened glass is harder to get through due to its durability and when it does break, it shatters into smaller, blunter pieces as opposed to dangerous shards.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is created by two layers of glass being bonded together with a sheet of plastic interlay in the middle. Laminated glass can be used in both windows and doors and is used when heightened security and safety are a factor. When laminated glass is hit, the plastic interlay holds the glass together so there is no hole for thieves to get through. This also means there are no dangerous shards of glass scattered as it is all held in place, making laminated glass safer.
Solar Control Glass
Solar control glass is used when you are concerned with the amount of heat that may get into your home through the glass in your windows and doors, typically on south facing elevations. Solar control glass works through filtering sun through the coatings on the glass which prevents excess heat getting inside your home, while still letting in daylight. Solar control glass can be clear or have a colour tint to it, it’s your personal preference.
Obscure Glass
Obscure glazing is used when you need privacy in a particular room or would like a decorative piece of glass, rather than it being clear. Obscure glass comes in many different options, from sandblasted glass, to fluted glass, and patterned glass. Sandblasted glass gives the glass a milky finish, fluted glass presents vertical grooves within the glass which still provides privacy but not as much as sandblasted glass, and there are many types of patterned glass to choose from.
When choosing windows and doors for your own home, it is important to think about the type of glass you may want/need from each window or door as well as what the windows and doors will look like to give you the best product possible. If you have any concerns or questions in regards to glazing through our quotation and design process, please feel free to discuss this with us.
