Insulated Glass

Windows are among the major contributors to decreased home energy efficiency even though they give us protection and a connection to the outside world. Since they allow heated or cooled air to pass through more easily than wall openings, windows can be a significant source of heat loss. Fortunately, some of this energy loss is reduced by insulated glass, a relatively recent development in the world of windows.

What does Insulated Glass mean?

A piece of glass that has been sealed and placed between two or more other panes of glass with an air space is known as insulated glass. The gas in this area is either air, argon, or krypton. Compared to single panes of glass, this technique effectively separates the temperatures of the interior and outer air.

The phrase ‘insulated glass’ is a bit misleading. Despite the fact that the entire unit is insulated, the glass is not. The outside glass pane, the seal, the spacer bar around the glass’s perimeter, the desiccant substance to absorb moisture, and the inside glass pane make up this unit. The spacer bar leaves a constant, even distance between the glass panes so that the inert gas can pass through. Gas fills the crevices between some types of insulated glass units also known as IG units, which have three or four panes.

How is Insulated Glass made to function?

Any object that reaches from one location to another can serve as a thermal bridge along which temperatures can move. A thermal bridge is a structure that easily conducts heat, such as wood, metal, glass, or another solid substance. The thermal bridge functions as a heat-transfer highway, as its name implies.

The glass itself makes an ideal bridge in the case of single-pane windows. On a chilly winter day, hot air from within the house strikes the inside of the glass pane, then passes through the glass and evaporates outdoors. On a hot summer day, the opposite is true with the outside air.

Insulated glass works by eliminating a thermal bridge between the inner and outside window panes.  The gap between the panes effectively blocks the bridging effect by trapping hot or cold air. Krypton and Argon are both extremely dense gases that transport heat less easily than air, therefore in addition to the thermal break, they also act as a superior insulator than air alone.

What does the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient indicate?

Solar heat gain can be limited by windows and doors with insulated glass. The pace at which the sun’s rays pass through the glass is referred to as solar heat gain. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is used to determine how effective the device is (or SHGC). The window performs better at keeping the room from heating up when the SHGC is lower. More heat is allowed in via the window as the heat gain increases.

An advantage of having a high SHGC in colder, northern latitudes is that the sun can more quickly warm the area on chilly winter days. However, in southern regions, a lower SHGC is required to stop the house from becoming a greenhouse during the intense summer sun.

Which are the main types of Insulated Glass?

Although the idea behind insulated glass remains the same regardless of the variations, there are a few different types of insulated glass units to be cautious of. They consist of glazed windows with argon or krypton gas between the panes, as well as double- and triple-paned windows.

• Double-Pane Insulated Glass Units → They consist of two glass panes separated by an insulating gas or by air. These are the most typical and affordable varieties of insulated glass units.
• Triple-Pane Insulated Glass Units → They have a pane between them, a pane on the outside, and a pane inside. More effectively than double-glazed windows alone, this produces two areas for insulating gas or air.
• Argon Gas → Due to its price and effectiveness, this inert gas is the most frequently used in insulated glass units. This gas is less effective than Krypton but more efficient than machines using just air.
• Krypton Gas → Although it is more expensive, this kind of gas is the most effective one used in insulated glass units. Krypton gas can be found in windows with two or three panes.

However, these insulated glass components aren’t simply for windows. French doors, sliding doors, and other outside entrances with glass doors are all equally popular and effective with them. Since the majority of these units have tempered glass, they are safer to use in the home and are also simpler to ship.

Which are the main Advantages that Insulated Glass offers?

It’s possible to maintain a more pleasant temperature in your home without constantly closing the drapes by using windows with insulation. These windows have two glass panes rather than one. As a result, the window’s structure develops an air pocket.

In fact, the air is one of the finest insulators there is, and it has the advantage of being transparent. This means that while insulated windows still permit light to enter, they are far better at blocking out heat and cold. New homes come standard with insulated windows, but if your current home has non-insulated windows, it would be wise to upgrade.

Better Insulation

As we previously stated, a pocket of air is one of the best insulators, particularly for windows. When sunlight strikes a pane of glass in a window that is not insulated, the glass and the surrounding air become heated. The house then becomes warmer as a result of the heat diffusing. Yet in insulated windows, the outer pane of glass receives the brunt of the sunshine. It gets warmer, along with the air around it, but the heat still needs to pass through a further layer.

There aren’t enough hours of direct sunlight for the sun to warm the air between the window panes to the same temperature that is outdoors in order for the same quantity of warmth to leak through.

Noise Reduction

Air is an excellent heat insulator as well as fantastic noise insulation. Similar to the idea, sound waves cause minute vibrations in the air as they move through it. Noise enters your home when sound waves strike non-insulated windows and vibrate through the glass.

Insulated windows are a wise investment if you live in a noisy area, particularly close to an airport. As a result, the inside will remain quiet. The sound waves will reach that air pocket and stop. No more midnight awakenings brought on by the sound of shaking windows.

Improved Security 

From a security perspective, windows are among a home’s most prone areas. Even if you have the latest smart lock in the world, there won’t be much you can do to prevent a burglar from breaking a window and entering your home. Insulated windows are an excellent choice if you want to increase the security of your home a little.

Due to the fact that there are twice as many glass panes, insulated windows are more difficult to break. Even if a thief is successful in breaking the exterior pane, they are unlikely to return to smash the second one. Even so, you’ll at least have advance notice, giving you enough time to alert the police.

Lower Energy Bills 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that insulated windows can reduce your energy costs given that they improve heat regulation. The HVAC system is one of the major consumers of energy in a home. You’ll save more money by running it less frequently.

You’ll be able to lessen your carbon footprint because it will take less energy for your HVAC system to maintain comfort in your home. This is a fantastic technique to reduce the environmental effect that many people are attempting to make.

The environment and your home will benefit from having insulated windows.

Increased Property Value 

It makes obvious that insulated windows would increase the value of your property given these multiple advantages. The amount of return on your investment is, however, one of the main concerns with any home improvement project. Among all home repair projects, replacing your windows has one of the finest returns on investment.

How to get the Best Insulated Windows for your property?

If you’re thinking about replacing the windows in your house, you should give insulated glass windows significant consideration. These windows can provide everything from improved home security to better temperature control. Increase the comfort and security of your house while also saving money on your electricity costs in the future.

As a full-service custom glass fabrication business in Canada, Zenith Glass & Mirror focuses on creating the highest quality insulated glass, mirrors, and bespoke glass shower doors. We can handle any custom glass job that comes our way because our facility is fully equipped with the most cutting-edge technology.

Zenith Glass & Mirror skilled glass insulation contractors, who have years of expertise in glass insulation, will make sure to provide you with a variety of glass insulation options. 

Do not hesitate to call at (416)-747-8040 or [email protected] our glass insulators for your upcoming glass insulation project!