Remodeling your home is becoming much more popular than moving. Remodeling was a 325 billion dollar industry in 2017, and it’s only expected to be on the rise. Getting new window glass can be a great move for you and your family, so you don’t have to relocate to another place and uproot your life just for a new home. It’s time to get informed on how to best remodel your home for the look you’re trying to achieve.
How to Pick The Best Window Glass the First Time
Getting energy efficient windows can sometimes save you as much as one hundred dollars per year depending on the window. Let’s go through all the types of window glass so you can make an informed decision about what will suit you best.
Safety Laminated Glass
This type of window is made from an extra-strong glass that’s made from polyvinyl butyral. To make the glass, high amounts of heat and pressure are used to fused together with glass panes around the inner layer of polyvinyl butyral.
If this glass breaks, it’s designed to still stay in the panes. It’s similar to the glass you’ll find in your windshields, so you don’t have to worry about shattering and spraying shards.
It’s also good for security purposes because if it’s struck with an object it’s designed to stay in place.
Float Glass
To make float glass, molten glass is formed into the window panel frame. Molten glass floats on molten tin, which results in a large panel.
The sheet of glass is then cut and treated and set into a frame. It’s relatively inexpensive and provides quality glass for your windows.
Obscured Glass
Obscured glass allows light to enter the room, but the windows can’t be seen through. When you choose obscured glass, you can select glass with etching, frosting, or a custom design to give your windows some texture.
If you want more natural light inside your home, obscured glass is an excellent choice to allow that. It enables you to have windows without necessarily having blinds because the obscured panes give you privacy.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is different from obscured glass because it’s not entirely opaque. It has added color that can perform a number of different functions.
Sometimes the tinting in the windows can be added to help reduce heat from the sun. It can also be tinted to protect people from UV rays, which is often done in cars.
You can also tint a window any color just for the design and the aesthetic. It adds a unique touch to be able to give a window glass some color that matches the rest of the style of the house.
Wired Glass
Wired glass is a safety glass that is often employed by commercial buildings, schools, and hospitals.
Wire grids are built into the glass, which helps hold the glass together if it ever happens to shatter. The wire isn’t visible, but it’s underlying in order to help the integrity of the glass.
This type of glass can hold up under the pressure of a firefighter’s hose, which is one reason it’s often used in schools. If there’s a fire, the wires will hold the glass frame even if it shatters under high heat.
If you live in a place that’s prone to fires, this type of glass can help you to feel safer.
Low-E Glass
Low-E stands for low emissivity glass. This glass is coated specifically to help to protect against thermal radiation.
The low emissivity coating helps to block out infrared rays but still allows light to flow through the windows like normal glass. This is particularly beneficial for residential homes because it helps keep warmth out and heat in.
In the summer months, the coating directs the heat away from the house, allowing it to bounce off. In the winter, it reflects the light back inside the house and allows it to stay warmer.
Because this means lower energy bills for heating and cooling your home, this type of glass window is one that will help pay off in the long run.
Some of the coatings of this type of window can cause a slight tint. As a rule of thumb with each and every window type, you can do a trial run to see how you think the glass would look in your home. Never skip out on seeing what the glass looks like in person.
What Type of Climate Do You Live In?
Depending on where you live, you’ll want to make some careful considerations about your window replacements.
If you live in a place prone to a lot of rain, you’ll want to consider windows with outward opening awnings so that even if it’s raining, you’ll have the choice of keeping your window open slightly.
Avoid frames for your window that can rot easily, such as wood. In general, consider that your window area will likely always be somewhat damp. When in doubt, it’s best to ask a professional contractor their opinion.
Warm climates call for the most energy efficient windows possible. Double hung windows are a safe bet for you because they allow a heavy amount of airflow compared to other windows.
You can get windows with shading to help to block out the heat and the UV rays. You can also get tinted windows to keep that pesky sun away as much as possible.
Take the Next Steps
Now that you know what kind of window glass to get, it’s about time that you stop hesitating.
You can’t replace your windows all on your own. You’re going to need some help. Before you just call any random person you found online, make sure you do a lot of research on your contractor. If you have a bad contractor, the job is going to be much, much more difficult.
Let the experts give you a free estimate and give you free peace of mind in knowing that your windows are in good hands.
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