UNDERSTANDING INSULATED GLASS FABRICATION
What is Insulated Glass?
Strong, resilient, with perfect thermal and sound insulation properties, insulating glass has been used worldwide in various applications ranging from family homes to high-scale commercial buildings construction. Its unique design structure makes it an ideal glazing material and a product with solid growth prospects.
Insulating glass refers to glass that prevents significant heat transfer into or out of a home or building. Insulating glass, or IG, allows the window to take an insulating role in the building envelope. It limits heat transfer through the wall and can control solar heat gain while providing natural light.
Insulating glass consists of multiple pieces of glass separated by spacers made of either metal, such as aluminum, or structural foam. The space between the glass is sometimes filled with a noble gas, such as argon or krypton. Insulating glass is often abbreviated IG and is sometimes called double-glazed or double-pane glass.
Downey Glass insulating glass units can be fabricated to meet state energy and safety codes, sound control and seismic requirements, impact, bullet, hurricane, and blast resistance requirements. Insulating Glass units can be designed to reduce heat loss and solar heat gain entering the building, with a minimal reduction of visible light transmittance.
INSULATED GLASS FEATURES & BENEFITS
• Pyrolytic [hard coated] Low-E and 4th surface units
• Decorative and other specialty glass options
• Energy-efficient for greater indoor comfort
• Sound control, safety, and impact glazing options
• Triple and double glazing up to 2-1/4” overall
• Dual sealed units for commercial applications
• Black primary and secondary sealants
• Secondary silicone seal
• Air and argon gas-filled options
• Annealed and heat-treated
• Offset units, shapes, and arches
• Oversize tempered and insulating capabilities
• Minimum size: 14” x 14”
• Maximum size: 106” x 157”
• High performing [soft coated] Low-E glass
Double Glazing Insulated Glass
COMPONENTS OF INSULATED GLASS UNITS
• Glass – The insulating glass type can be a range of thicknesses or types of glass. Laminated or tempered glass may be used in areas where safety or strength is a priority. Insulating glass can also contain up to three layers of glass where extra heat or sound insulation is required. Thicker glass is more efficient but more expensive.
• Window Frame – Insulated glass is used in many different windows where efficiency is required: double-hung windows, picture windows, casement windows, and skylights use insulated glass to prevent heat loss.
• Spacer – Insulated glass utilizes a spacer that separates the two glass layers where they meet at the glass window frame. The width of the spacers depends on the type of gas used for insulation and window type. Generally, the wider the spacer, the more efficient and expensive the window.
• Gas – The gas used between the glass panes varies with each manufacturer. In general, an inert gas such as argon, krypton, or a mixture of both creates the insulating barrier between the indoors and outdoors.
INSULATED GLASS PRODUCT TYPES
Depending on the application, insulation requirement, or end user’s need, insulating glass is available in multiple variety types. Design versatility is based on factors, such as the number of glass panes used in the unit production, cavity-filling material, coatings, sealing material, and others.
Insulating Glass For Structural Glazing
The increased strength of the insulating glass unit makes it the most preferred glass type for residential, commercial, and industrial structural glazing. Multiple layers of glass increase the strength of the design element, making it more durable, resilient, and secure. Insulating glass also makes it a perfect choice for windows and doors its adaptability to different seasons. During the winter, insulating glass prevents indoor heat from escaping outside, while it blocks the sun’s heat from entering the interior during the summer.
Sound Control Glass
Acoustics matters for the well-being of people inside buildings. From traffic and neighbors to construction and airports, acoustic glass solutions can offer protection against noise at all frequencies. Insulating glass, in turn, is a perfect barrier against undesired noise. Its effective sound control feature makes it ideal for residential applications where the need for seclusion is important.
Bullet Resistant Glass
Guarding against a volume of weaponry and ammunition, bullet-resistant glass is perfect for entrance doors, cashier windows, and more. The insulating glass used in bulletproof applications is typically up to five times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness and eliminates the risk of thermal fracture. Bulletproof glass is produced by combining two or more sheets of glass with PVB interlayers to prevent a bullet from passing through.
Fire-Resistant Glass
Fire-resistant glass (FRG) is designed for interior and exterior use when thermal protection is required in case of fire. This type of safety glass is mainly produced using clear, multi-laminated, fully insulating glass. Depending on the product quality, fire-resistant glass should also ensure protection from radiation and passive protection from the effects of fire for up to 180 minutes.
