Glass Repair, Replacement, and New Construction FAQ and Resources

Glass Repair, Replacement, and New Construction FAQ

An architectural consultant has advised me to use double glazing on the glass windows of my new building. As a glass contractor, can you tell me if the increased cost of this glass type in repair and replacement is worthwhile?

Insulating glass, which is technically called double glazing, is extremely effective in providing insulation for your glass building. It brings substantial savings in glass costs over the long haul. At the same time, consider other glass factors, like the surface area of the glazing, how much direct sunlight the glazing gets, and how well the walls and roof are insulated. And the insulation will work only if the windows' framing system is good, and the joints are sealed well.

Its effectiveness is excellent in warm climates. Let us show you the life-time cost calculations for your glass project, and you'll see you will recover the extra amount you spent on double glazing in mere months in energy savings.

My current glass project is one in which the client has a collection of wooden antiques, so he's very concerned about fire safety. As a glass contractor, what options do we have in this area of concern?

Fire-rated glass for exterior and interior applications is an option, but the main thing is to find out the critical areas that need fire-proofing and to what extent. Glass firewalls are available for applications where higher fire rating is required. These are panels tested to meet the same fire standards for a solid fire-rated wall. Regular glazing with fire resistance and thermal insulation is also available to meet a range of fire safety needs. But it's more important to take care of the fixing and detailing, so there's no way for fire to spread.

What do glass contractors and glaziers say is the best glass and mirror cleaner?

While there are many good brands on the market, the most economical glass and mirror cleaner is a mixture of 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water. Soaps streak glass or a mirror. If this happens, take the vinegar water solution and use old newspaper. Newspaper doesn’t leave lint on glass. On mirrors, never use abrasives, alkali, ammonia or acids. These are very harmful to the silver backing.

Why do the edges of mirrors turn black? Does it harm the glass?

There are many contaminates in our air. Contaminates and natural moisture attack the edges of mirrors, eroding the silver backing of the glass, which causes discoloring and eventual flaking of the silver. We use the most current technology available to seal the edges to retard this effect.  

What is the difference between tempered glass and safety glass?

Tempered glass is a type of safety glass used for entrance doors in buildings and certain other building locations, as specified in the building codes. This is in contrast to standard "plate glass," which can be deadly due to the large sharp spear-like pieces created when broken. Safety glass comes in all types, sizes, colors and shapes, depending on the application. The most common types of safety glass are tempered, laminated, acrylic and polycarbonate. Also, it's used in vehicles in doors, vent glasses and back glasses. In manufacturing, this tempered glass is heated to over 1,100 degrees, then shot with cool air jets, causing the glass to cool very rapidly. This cooling process causes the outside surface to become much harder than the inner part. When broken, it shatters into tiny fragments with rounded edges.

Why do insulated or thermal glass units fog?

All insulated glass eventually fails. The manufacturing process seals two pieces of glass together with a vacuum created in the center that produces the insulating effect. With proper installation, ultraviolet rays and moisture are the major reasons for seal failure, which allows water infiltration causing the unit to fog. Please see our representatives for details on our excellent warranties on insulated glass.

What are dual pane/insulated units?

Most homes built today have dual pane or insulated windows. These terms are used interchangeably. Dual pane windows are composed of two pieces of glass, joined by a spacer, which creates an "air space" between the two panes. This creates the insulating properties that make these units very energy efficient. The size of the air space determines how efficient the window will be. E.g., a unit with a 1" air space will be much more efficient than a unit with a ½" air space. Other factors like "Low-E" or tinted glass can also increase efficiency.

What is Low-E and what does it to for my glass windows?

Low-E stands for low-emittance. Low-E glass coatings are microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface, primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow. By purchasing windows with a low-e coating, you can allow all the light into your house without all the heat that goes along with it.

Glass Resources

• U.S. government glass care tips in regard to warm-climate areas, cold-climate areas, long-term glass care, and what to look for in buying glass.
• Window glass cleaning tips