Things To Consider Before Buying Insulated Glass

Insulated glass units or IGUS are designed to keep a house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

An IGU usually consists of two (sometimes more) panes of glass separated by a spacer material and sealed together at the edges. The insulated space is filled with air or an inert gas, such as argon or krypton. Each glass panel has two surfaces, so a typical double-glazed IGU has four surfaces.

Windows with insulated glass are often referred to as double-glazed or triple-glazed windows, depending on how many panes of glass are used in their construction.

Laminated or tempered glass may also be used as part of the construction and set-up of the IG unit. By combining Low-E coatings, tinted glass types, reflective coatings, silk-screened patterns, laminated glass products and more, a wide variety of insulating glass configurations are available for a wide range of requirements.

What is insulating glass used for?

IG units can be manufactured to meet energy and safety codes as well as sound control and requirements for seismic, impact, bullet, hurricane and explosion resistance. IG units can be designed to reduce heat loss and solar heat gain into the building while minimising the reduction in visible light transmission.

IG units are used in essentially all applications associated with the building envelope, including vertical glazing, tilt-up glazing, overhead glazing and skylights, as well as visual and arched shoulder (non-visual) areas.

Depending on the type of glazing used, IG units can be designed for: light and solar control, sound control, UV shielding (to reduce fading), hurricane, earthquake and blast resistance, security, ballistic protection and decorative applications.

Do IG units require special glass?

Laminated or tempered glass can also be used as part of a building (in some EU countries this is mandatory). Insulating glass units are usually made of glass with a thickness of 3 to 10 mm (1/" to 3/"). Thicker glass is used for special applications.

Generally, glazing units have the same glass thickness on two or all three panes, but special applications (e.g. sound attenuation or security) may require the combination of glass of different thicknesses into one unit.

Things to consider before buying insulated glass

Now, although insulated glass may seem a little expensive, it is well worth it when you consider what it can do for you in terms of energy efficiency.

You will realise that it actually saves more energy while minimising costs. The return on investment is too good to miss.

The location of your home will also influence the type of glazing you ultimately choose.

You need to look at the extent to which the house is exposed to the sun. Take note of which areas get the most and least sunlight. This will help you decide which windows should be placed where.

For example, if certain corners of your home can be glare-free, it doesn't make sense to use regular windows.

Your choice of window frame will depend on what you want from an insulated window.

For good insulation, you may want to consider fibreglass and vinyl frames. Wooden window frames may be a little too sensitive.

Is insulated glass worth the money?

With insulated glass, you can get the best thermal comfort in your home without the aid of appliances. It is a one-off cost that will greatly offset your energy bills.

Even in extreme weather, insulated glass can comfortably regulate the temperature.

Any type of glass can be insulated, whether it's patterned, tinted or anything in between, as long as a surface is flat and free of texture. You can still achieve your design or aesthetic goals without losing sight of the practical and energy-saving benefits of insulating glass.

You can reap the benefits of energy-efficient glazing without compromising on visual appeal.