Cutting Your Energy Costs With New Windows

Cutting Your Energy Costs With New Windows

It seems the cost of heating or cooling your home is starting to get rather expensive. One sure fire way to help cut the cost down somewhat is to replace your existing windows with new, more energy efficient ones. But the lurking question remains, what types are out there and which one is the best for my home? Sit back, relax, and hold on for a ride through the new window tour.

First there is toughened glass. This type is also known a tempered glass. This window type is created by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its overall strength and durability. If this window does break it will shatter into small fragments similar to a broken car window. This type also greatly enhances thermal resistance. Major uses for this type of glass are in ovens and baking apparatus as well as automotive applications.

Next we have laminated glass. This type is also known as safety glass and will not shatter when broke. It will hold its form. It is made up of an interlayer (two or more layers of glass). It is commonly used in skylight glazing and automotive windshields. It is also seen in exterior storefronts as well as curtain walls and windows. Multiple laminates and thicker glass is use for bulletproof applications.

Next we have tinted glass. This is also known as window film. The advantage to this type is it reduces heat and radiation from the sun. The film used is either dyed or metalized in order to convert incoming solar radiation into infrared radiation and then refracted back through the glass to the exterior. There is a trade off with this type of glass though. It can cost 10 - 15% more than regular glass but can reduce energy loss by30 - 50%.

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The Beauty of Decorative Glass Doors

The Beauty of Decorative Glass Doors

The front door is the first point of entry for household guests. It provides visitors and passersby a glimpse into the personality of the inside of a home.

Because first impressions are important, many homeowners opt for the elegance and beauty of decorative glass paneled doors. There are many styles of decorative glass, giving homeowners plenty of opportunity to find the panel that best complements the entrance to their home. Below is information on a few of the types of glass used to create decorative panels for entry doors.

Tempered Glass

Four to five times stronger than standard glass, the strength and heat resistance of tempered comes from the extreme heating and rapid cooling method from which it is produced. This causes it to shatter into little oval-shaped pebbles instead of sharp shards if broken, earning it the nickname "safety glass." In addition to decorative door panels, tempered is used in the production of an immense variety of products that include oven windows, computer screens and shower doors.

Beveled Glass

Popular among door manufacturers, beveled glass is a single pane with edges cut at an angle around the entire perimeter. The beveled edges allow it to capture light in a unique way that produces a wide spectrum of visually appealing colors. Beveled is typically cut from standard glass. However, some artists and manufacturers also perform the beveled process on colored textured glass to enhance the beauty of a design.

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Glass For Architecture

Glass For Architecture

In the construction of modern buildings, glass has become an essential component. With modern technology, the permutation of glass types has been both varied and exciting. There have been applications in both small and large amounts - from kitchen wall splash backs, cabinetry and staircase balustrades and threads, to laminated double-glazing for office buildings and skyscrapers.

So which type of glass is suitable for what kind of application?

Here we take a look at the different types of glass, their classifications and specifications, as well as the way glass is used.

Glass Types

1. Float Glass/Annealed Glass

Properties

- Distortion free

- Precision-flat

- Clearly transparent

2. Tinted Float Glass

Properties:

- Solar control and absorption of solar radiation energy

- Cuts down heat transmittance 

- Reduce cooling load

- Glare reduction

- Tinted green, blue or grey

3. Low-Iron Glass

Properties:

- High clarity and transparency

- Low iron oxide content

- No green tint that is inherent in normal float glass

Thermal Treatment

Glass is treated with heat to enhance its properties. The main benefit of the process is to strengthen the glass. Basically, float glass is heated to near softening point and then quenched by blasting cool air rapidly. The surface of the glass is compressed as it is cooled faster than its core, thus compressing it.

1. Tempered glass

Properties:

- Impact resistance - can withstand the static load resistance 3 to 5 times that of float glass and impact resistance of 5 to 10 times of float glass of same thickness

- Temperature resistance - it can withstand temperatures of 150 degree Celsius compared to float glass which can only withstand temperatures of 40-50 degree Celsius

- Safety - breaks into small pieces instead of float glass which breaks into large knife-like shards that can cause injury

Applications:

It is applied in shower screens, balustrades, signage, doors and windows and interior and other decorative uses due to its safety properties. It is also known as safety glass.

2. Heat Strengthened glass

Properties:

- Impact resistance - is 2 times stronger than float glass

- Temperature resistance - it can withstand temperatures up to 295 degree Celsius. 

- Safety - breaks into larger pieces but holds within its frame as intermediate glass pieces support each other

- Impurities - there is virtually no impurities of nickel sulphide so there is little risk of spontaneous breakage.

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Domestic Decorative Glass Panel Applications

Domestic Decorative Glass Panel Applications

There are many places in your home where you can use decorative glass panels. If you are planning to remodel your house, consider using cost effective panels in the following areas in your home:

Windows: Windows are a great place to use panels. They can not only give decorative effects but also privacy. Like shutters or drapers they also won't block natural light. The coloured versions can also brighten up your interiors.

Room divider: They can also be used as room dividers. Instead of placing a permanent wall as a divider, you can choose a design that blends in with the surrounding furnishings.

Fireplace screen: This is an excellent way to add a focal point to your interior. You can find specially made panels for fireplaces.

Doors: Give an old door new life by hanging a decorative glass panel.

Children's rooms: You can find many designs to use on windows and doors in children's rooms, with themes like sports, animals, and ballerinas available. You can find a variety of subjects and pictures and themes that suits kids of all ages and add some fun to their rooms. Arks, teddy bears and trains are common designs that are widely used on windows and doors in kid's rooms. This can give small children mental stimulation and provides them with something that they treasure and cherish forever.

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