Everything You Need To Know About Window Sealed Glass

Have you ever stepped in front of a window and noticed a couple of reflections coming off of it? This tends to raise some confusion in some people as to why that happens, and it’s due to the fact that the windows are either double-pane or triple-pane ones. Double-pane and triple-pane windows are insulated, sealed glass units that provide a great deal of energy efficiency to a home in comparison to single-pane windows. If you’re considering getting these types of windows installed, consider consulting with a window company to get the job done to ensure the best installation possible.

With insulated windows, you’re getting windows that contain more than a single sheet of glass. Between the sheets of glass, there will typically be air or a type of gas to provide an increased measure of insulation. When you’re considering getting new windows for your home, it pays to educate yourself on the characteristics of windows so you’re making a more informed and educated decision. It wouldn’t be wise to select the first single-pane window you see to get installed for your home without knowing anything about it. This can result in lowered energy efficiency during the cold months of the year.

What Are The Different Types Of Insulated Glass?

Air-Filled

Glass units will sometimes be filled with air. Air can make for a decent insulator for windows, and they are commonly used for commercial buildings because they are a little more budget-friendly in comparison to the other types of insulated glass on the market. One of the main downsides of air-filled insulated glass is that it doesn’t provide as much insulation as argon or krypton-filled insulated glass.

Argon-Filled/Krypton-Filled Insulated Glass

Argon and Krypton-filled insulated glass are used between double-pane and triple-pane windows. They don’t smell and don’t have a color. They also aren’t toxic as some people might suspect them to be. Windows with gas between the panes are commonly used in new homes because they provide a good measure of thermal conductivity. Argon is the most popular choice used for windows, mainly because it is easier to access in comparison to krypton. Krypton is a bit better at insulating than argon.

Low-E Coating Insulated Glass

If your windows weren’t insulated, then your energy bills would skyrocket. Another thing to consider for your windows is the UV rays from the sun. Solar radiation can easily gain access to your home if your windows don’t have a Low-E coating on them. UV rays can end up damaging your hardwood floors or furniture without that coating.

Some people think that insulated windows will keep their homes protected from UV rays, but that isn’t the case. Low-E coating uses layers of metal oxides on the sheets of glass that prevent UV rays from passing through the windows.

More About Insulated Glass

There are a couple of more things to know about insulated glass:

Panes

Glass panes are the sheets of glass that are on your windows

Spacer

When you install windows, you’ll use a spacer so that the windows can be aligned and positioned properly. Sometimes these are referred to as shims, and they are very important in ensuring your windows will be functional well into the future. Spacers can be either plastic, aluminum, or steel.

Filling

Filling is the air or gas that is used to keep your windows insulated. Argon and krypton are the two common gases used to keep your windows insulated.

Seal

Without a window seal, your windows would leak cold air and cause your house to be feeling very uncomfortable at certain times of the year. Window seals also prevent the moisture from getting into your home, and with increased moisture in your windows, they can end up getting foggy. 

How Are Insulated Glass Windows Manufactured?

The majority of people might wonder how windows are made at some point in their lives. The first step for the manufacturing process of windows is the window spacer. It’s filled with a certain type of desiccant and then put in the cavity of the window spacer. While this first step is being done, the glass for the window will be manufactured to fit properly.

A machine will be used to shape the window spacers accurately. Window spacers need to be sized very precisely so that the seal on the insulated glass will be perfect. After that, a coat of sealant will be applied to the window spacer. Once that’s finished, the glass panes can be put on the window spacer.

The insulting glass pieces are then put into a vacuum chamber where they will then be filled. After that process is finished, silicone will be administered to the glass so that the whole window unit is fortified.

Purchasing Insulated Windows

The price of single-pane windows largely differs from double-pane and triple-pane windows. You can expect to be paying about 5 times more money for insulated windows, and most people find that the increased initial price is worth it because of the increased energy efficiency in their homes. Between double-pane and triple-pane windows, you might be paying an extra 10 or 15% for triple-pane ones.

Windows are designed to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Your furnace and air conditioner won’t have to constantly work around the clock to compensate for the air getting inside your house all of the time.

Some other benefits of insulated glass are:

• You won’t hear the outside noise as much

• Your windows will be more durable

• Your windows will be more secure

Finding a window company to install your insulated glass windows can be a frustrating process. HTR Windows and Doors aims to make that process straightforward by providing the best products and services that you can rely on every time. All of the windows that HTR Windows and Doors provide have the Energy Star sticker on them that proves they are energy-efficient. With over a decade of experience, you can trust that your next window installation with HTR Windows and Doors will go as smoothly as possible.