Choosing Glass Options For Your Home Windows

Choosing window glass may seems like a foreign language or a task you never considered undertaking until the day you decided to remodel. It can be both exciting and overwhelming having so many options, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the most common glass types, to help narrow down your search.

In recent years, the available window glass options have evolved much beyond the "clear or tinted" variety. Technology has extended modern glass performance to provide improved aesthetic appearance, increased privacy and security, as well as substantial energy savings.

The only downside? Window selection now requires not only choosing the style and materials of your window frames, but also the types of glass that best suit your needs.

Following is a look at the most popular glass types available for homeowners today:

• Tinted glass – Metal oxides are added to glass that help keep out the direct glare of sunlight. When the glass absorbs the outside heat, it acquires a light tint (gray, bronze, green or blue). This keeps the indoors cool and pleasant. Glass tinting also gives you a layer of added protection if you live in areas with high temperatures.

• Reflective glass – This glass features a metallic coating to block both solar heat and light. The metal coating often forms a mirror effect, thus making it opaque on the outside. Reflective glass is great for windows that face busy streets and sidewalks, as they add an element of privacy.

• Tempered glass – This glass is toughened so that it will not break easily. It is resistant to impact of heavy rain and wind as well as provides protection from intruders. Even in the case of tempered glass breaking, it will shatter into very small pieces to reduce risk of injury, rather than breaking into dangerously sharp splinters formed by regular glass.

• Laminated glass – This glass contains two or more sheets of glass that are bonded together permanently. This gives the glass added strength and reduces outside noise.

• Insulated glass – This glass again contains two or more layers of glass that are spaced apart with an insulating air space in between. The space may even be filled with argon or krypton gas to further improve its insulating properties. This prevents heat transfer, thus keeping the indoors warm in winter and cool in summer.

• Low-E glass – Low-emissivity glass raises the thermal efficiency of your windows by reflecting infrared light. It features a special coating that reflects back the sun’s heat, thus keeping the inside of your home cool. Alternatively, if the same coating is used on the inside panel, it will work to keep heat inside, for increased comfort in colder climates.

• Frosted glass – This glass is made almost opaque by sandblasting. The treatment often renders unique patterns on the glass and helps in maintaining privacy.

• Stained glass – This is often a colored glass that features beautiful designs and colors and yet manages to let light through. It is used for aesthetic purposes, and can add a very unique, elegant, and traditional charm to any entry door or hinged wooden patio door.

Apart from these, various other types of glass – self-cleaning glass, fall protection glass, and even glass with blinds – are available from many of the nation’s leading window manufacturers. One of our most popular window replacement brands, Pella Windows Milwaukee, enables you to combine various stylistic and functional features. Try between-the-glass blinds, shades, or grilles, or use toughened, tinted and low-E glass types within the same window!

Working with a trusted local window installation company will help you choose from a variety of brands, materials, and styles for your home or office remodel. For more information on the unique glass and frame options of Pella replacement windows Milwaukee, visit our showroom or give us a call to speak to a dedicated window specialist!

The author is an experienced professional and is in the field of home remodeling through door and windows for a few decades. He has penned down to write the article for highlighting the fact that you need to keep in mind while choosing patio doors.