Glass Options for Replacement Windows

When you have decided to have window replacement in Campbell, CA, you will be selecting many different aspects of each window. This will include the type of window, the material the window is made with, and the type of glass that is used in the window, among other things.

Glass options may be the item in replacement windows that you are least familiar with. Most homeowners think that glass is simply glass – the same kind of glass that you are used to seeing in almost every window you have ever looked through.

However, there are many different kinds of glass that you can use in each of your windows. Each type of glass has benefits and a specific purpose. To know which kind of glass you want or need, you need to understand the glass itself.

The most basic kind of glass is float glass. Float glass is manufactured using a method known as the Pilkington process. Molten glass from a furnace is poured onto a flatbed of molten tin, where it conforms to the container’s shape to form large sheets of glass.

Float glass is extremely fragile, so it is never used as the only glass in any application, including in replacement windows. Instead, it is used as a base to create stronger types of glass.

Laminated glass is a glass option that you can choose for your replacement windows. Laminated glass is constructed using two sheets of float glass that have a thin PVB layer between the sheets.

Laminated glass is what is used in your car’s windshield because laminated glass is strong enough to add structural integrity to the car. Because of this, laminated glass, when it breaks, does not shatter throughout the car, causing a potential hazard. Instead, the pieces of glass adhere to the PVB.

You might consider laminated glass for your replacement windows if you live on a golf course, live near an outdoor sports venue, or will have windows facing areas where kids play ball.

Obscured glass is glass that is manufactured for privacy. Familiar types of obscured glass include etched glass and beveled glass. While obscured glass is manufactured so that no one can see through it, it enables you to have a glass option that allows a lot of natural light in.

You should consider using obscure glass in replacement windows for bathrooms, foyers, and any other rooms in your home where you want light and privacy.

Tempered glass is made by applying a multilayer process to make it very strong. Float glass is usually annealed (slowly cooled) after it is made to strengthen the glass. Tempered glass is made from annealed glass using either a high-heat or chemical process.

Tempered glass is used in many things you use every day. The rear and side windows of your car have tempered glass. If you have a glass shower or tub door, it contains tempered glass. Your microwave oven door also has tempered glass. Tempered glass is very difficult to break. If it does break, however, the pieces are smaller and less hazardous.

You may want to consider using tempered glass in large replacement windows, such as bay windows, picture windows, or bow windows.

Low emissivity (Low-E) glass is glass that blocks ultraviolet (UV) waves from coming into your home. UV waves can cause significant damage to furniture, flooring, rugs, and carpeting. However, Low-E glass has the additional benefit of providing additional insulation to your home.

Replacement windows on the western and southern sides of your home usually get the most direct sunlight, so Low-E glass would be an excellent option for these windows.

To learn more about types of glass replacement windows and ways to keep the window clean, you can talk with our expert team at California Custom Creations.