5 Common Types of Window Glass for Your Home

^{Photo by Alexander Kozlov}

There are different types of glasswork for different kinds of spaces. There may be homeowners that prefer having big-sized windows for more natural light. It’s all a matter of preference, as long as the glass is well-suited for the space’s intended purpose.

It may be hard to choose which ones are best suited for your home; that is why it’s helpful to be informed about the types of glass you can have installed with the help of a Deck Builder in Dundalk, MD. Window installations are more affordable and efficient, with experienced professionals who can handle the entire process well.

1 – Float Glass

This is commonly used in high-rise commercial buildings, car windshields, and solar panels. Float glass comprises 60% sand, 20% dolomite lime, and 20% soda sulfate. A bit of broken recycled glass is sometimes added into the mix. This is because adding recycled glass speeds up the melting process, which significantly saves energy.

Using float glass is a more affordable choice to pair with manufacturing windows. It is also the perfect option for reducing noise from the outside while still enhancing natural light, safety, and security from within. Float glass is also an ideal type to use in a fire-hazard setting, with the additional aesthetic it brings into an interior space. This type of glass has undoubtedly stood the test of time and has become a popular choice.

2 – Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is found in windshields, doors, and commercial storefronts. It’s a perfect type of glass for reducing human impact, thus lessening the possibilities of injury among the end users of the space. It comprises polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

The layers of laminated glass are essential since they have to be tightly bonded with each other. These same layers also help insulate sound, particularly when the laminated glass has EVA. The composition of this glass helps block out dangerous UV rays while still allowing sufficient amounts of sunlight into the space.

Laminated glass also has a high level of durability. It has high tolerance against strong winds, particularly hurricanes. So if you live in a typhoon-prone area, you should get your home’s glass windows reinforced with this one. Laminated glass is also the perfect choice for skylights since they have a lesser impact when broken, reducing the risks of injury.

3 – Obscured Glass

As much as we want more natural light to come into our room, we value our privacy too. So how can we achieve both at the same time? Obscured glass is the answer.

It still has the primary function of letting light in, but this type of glass has been altered so that it seems opaque. The other side somehow manages to be covered blurry, preventing the naked eye’s surroundings from being easily seen. Obscured glass is mainly found in bathrooms and front doors or windows. You can find it more in the toilet, though, due to the sense of privacy it brings.

4 – Double Glazed Window Glass

This type of glass is most prevalent in a residential setting and has a uPVC, aluminum, or timber frame. The double-glazed window glass has an impressive heat insulation feature, saving you more energy and reducing utility costs. It can also handle sound insulation well, blocking outside noise. Unlike the typical single-glazed window glass, this type is the better choice if you want an energy-efficient and soundproof glass for your home.

Double-glazed window glass comprises two glass panes with a gap in between. That gap contains either pressurized gas or air. They are the reasons why this type of glass condenses at specific temperatures.

If you’re looking to buy this glass type, you need to consider the energy output rating. The lower the value, the greater the insulation. There shouldn’t be any condensation seeping through the gaps as well.

5 – Tinted Glass

This is also the perfect choice for homeowners, with privacy as their most significant concern. Compared with the obscure ones, the tinted glass can cover the entire sheet, including the other side. Tinted glass is commonly found in car windshields and windows, although it’s still applicable to residential windows. It helps reduce the amount of sunlight passing through; sometimes, tinted glass can provide an extra layer of protection against harmful UV rays.

Whatever choice you make, these glasses have unique properties and will benefit you long-term.