Types of Window Glass: Essential Guide
Choosing windows is not just about aluminium or PVC.The glass is the most important part of the assembly because it usually occupies most of the window’s surface: in modern windows, it is common for the glazing to represent approx.between 70% and 85% of the area, and in some designs with finer profiles it can be even more.That’s why, if you get the glass right, you notice it every day: more stable temperature, less noise, more security and less condensation. Camera glass: the foundation for insulation (double glazing) When we talk about camera glass (also called double glazing), we refer to two glasses separated by a sealed chamber (air or gas). This is the “base” configuration to start getting good insulation. Common confusion: “Climalit” is not a type of glass, it’s a popular way of calling it.It is very common to use “Climalit” as if it were a specific glass, when in practice it is usually used as a synonym for double glazing / camera glass. Said simply: • Camera glass = the format (two glasses + one chamber)• And within that format you choose what glasses you mount: low emissive, solar control, acoustic, safety laminate, etc. Key idea: “Climalit” is fine as a starting point, but to get it really right you need to define what you need (thermal comfort, solar control, silence, security…). GLASS SPACER (SEPARATOR): THE SMALL DETAIL THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE Between the two glasses of double glazing there is a separator (also called intercalaryor spacer), which maintains the distance and seals the chamber. This detail is more important than it might seem. • Traditionally, the usual was a aluminium separator (metal).• Today, in higher-performance windows, the “warm edge” (warm edge) is increasingly used: hybrid/synthetic separators with lower thermal conductivity. What do you gain with a warm edge? • Less “cold edge” around the perimeter of the glass.• Less risk of condensation around the frame.• Better overall thermal performance. Put simply: the warm edge helps prevent the glass from “cooling” so much at the edges, and that translates to more comfort and less humidity at the edge, especially in winter. Traditionally, the usual was an aluminium separator (metal). Today, in higher-performance windows, the “warm edge” (warm edge) is increasingly used: hybrid/synthetic separators with lower thermal conductivity. What do you gain with a warm edge? Less “cold edge” around the perimeter of the glass. Less risk of condensation around the frame. Better overall thermal performance. In practical terms: the warm edge helps prevent the glass from “cooling” so much at the edges, which translates into more comfort and less humidity at the edge, especially in winter. LOW-EMISSIVITY GLASS: THE MOST PROFITABLE INVESTMENT IN COMFORT Low-emissivity is an almost invisible treatment that helps retain interior heat in winter and improves efficiency. When the investment is worth it: • If you are looking for comfort and savings without complications.• If you are bothered by the “cold” that you feel near the glass in winter.• If you want the temperature to be more uniform throughout the room. It is an improvement that you cannot see, but you notice it right away: you will feel like being near the window without feeling that typical “coolness”. If you are looking for comfort and savings without complications. If you are bothered by the “cold” that you feel near the glass in winter. If you want the temperature to be more uniform throughout the room. It is an improvement that you cannot see, but you notice it right away: you will feel like being near the window without feeling that typical “coolness”. SOLAR CONTROL GLASS: TO AVOID “A ROOM WITH A VIEW OF AN OVEN” Solar control glass reduces the solar energy that enters. It is especially useful in orientations with a lot of sun (south/west) or large windows. When the investment is worth it: • If in summer the living room overheats even though you ventilate.• If you have direct sun for many hours.• If you want to depend less on air conditioning. Can a greenish hue be seen? Yes, sometimes. In some solar control glasses, depending on the light and angle, a slightly greenish tint can be appreciated (for example, in Guardian Sun type configurations). Two important ideas: 1. In everyday life it is normally not something that “stands out”. To really notice it, many times you have to look quite hard or compare it side by side with a completely neutral glass. 2. If for you it is very important to avoid any tonality, you can request an extra clear camera glass, like Guardian ExtraClear, which is designed for a more neutral aesthetic (more “clean crystal”). In a camera glass you have two panes: one facing outward (street/sun) and the other facing inward (your home), and in the following section we explain where each type of glass goes, on the inside or on the outside. When does the investment pay off: If the living room overheats in summer even with ventilation. If you have direct sunlight for many hours. If you want to depend less on air conditioning. Can a greenish hue be seen? Yes, sometimes. In some solar control glasses, depending on the light and angle, a slightly greenish tint can be appreciated (for example, in Guardian Sun type configurations). Two important ideas: In everyday life it is normally not something that “stands out”. To really notice it, many times you have to look quite hard or compare it side by side with a completely neutral glass. In a camera glass you have two panes: one facing outward (street/sun) and the other facing inward (your home), and in the following section we explain where each type of glass goes, on the inside or on the outside. Do you get direct sunlight? Tell us the orientation and size of your window and we propose a balanced configuration. WHICH GLASS GOES WHERE? Which glass is placed in each treatment within a double glazing? Solar control: is usually placed on the outer glass,
