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Windows must withstand strong winds, freezing snow, ice and heavy rains. Over the years, the weather tends to take a toll on the windows of a home, which is why it’s essential to choose those that are durable and will last for years without needing replacement. The type of window glass influences the thermal performance of a home. The wrong window glass can cause rooms to overheat in the summer and result in the chill seeping into the interiors during the winter, leading to the spiralling of the heating and cooling costs of the home. The right type of glass window can help to make the windows work for the needs of the house.
With several options available such as multi-pane and energy-efficient coatings, it’s advisable to consult an interior architect who can help in deciding on windows that perform at an optimum efficiency right through the year. The first step is to understand the various window glass types that are available as well as their advantages and disadvantages. In this guide, we outline the different options to consider before choosing the perfect window glasses for houses.
Tinted glass is any glass that has coloring added to it. This can be done for several reasons such as aesthetic design, privacy, or perhaps reducing heat from sunlight. Tinted glass is also an option if protection against harmful UV rays is a priority for the homeowner or his family members. The general norm is to use colored glass on vehicles, skylights or decorative panels, but it can also be used for external windows to enhance privacy inside the home.
Laminated glass is security-enhanced and extra-strong, making it ideal for window glasses for private houses and residences. The glass is created by fusing a minimum of two panes around an inner layer of PVB. This process involves high heat and pressure, and the fusion produces a super-strong panel. Laminated glass is the best choice for safety and security reasons as the laminated glass technology used for windows in houses is the same as that which is used in a vehicle’s windshield. It ensures that any object colliding with the glass does not strike the occupant or spray glass shards inside. Thus, this type of glass reduces the likelihood of accidents or injuries caused by the shattering of the window glass.
Obscured glass refers to any glass that allows light to pass through, but the material is not entirely see-through like regular glass. There are several options for this type of glass window design, including frosted, etched, coated glass or custom variations. These custom variations could include a design wherein one can’t look through but can see more than a shadow of what is behind the obscured glass window. This property makes it an ideal choice for bathroom windows or shower doors, which need privacy. It can also be used for bringing more natural light indoors. When designing the bathroom of a home, careful consideration should be given to the needs of the room, whether it’s privacy or an abundance of natural light.
Tempered glass is annealed glass, which has quadrupled strength. As the glass can’t be cut, the tempering process takes place only once the annealed glass is cut and finished in the required size. The method of tempering involves heating the glass to above 1200 degrees and then cooling it down immediately. The panes are baked at about 550 degrees to make heat-soaked tempered glass. If the glass is unstable, it breaks. Therefore, the method tests the strength of the glass before it can be used in real-life applications. Window glass designs that make use of tempered glass are an excellent option for front doors or even French windows on the façade of the house as they keep the home secure and aesthetically pleasing.
Float glass has been given its name from the process of forming molten glass into large, flat panels. During this process, molten glass is floated onto molten tin, producing a thin glass panel that is smooth and large. This is a basic sheet of glass before it is cut, treated and set into a frame. Float window glass prices are quite affordable. Therefore, for homeowners on a budget, these low-cost windows and glass doors are the ideal choice.
There are several glass window designs to choose from, depending on the utility. Use this guide to get an idea of the type of glass that is best suited for your home. For ideas on how to choose the perfect main doors, find inspiration from these Indian entrance home designs.
