What is insulated glass?
Insulated glass, also called double glazing glass or insulated glass unit, consists of several glass pieces sealed together but whose space has inert gas. The glass panes can either be tempered or laminated glass.
The components of insulated glass work together and are not repairable individually. They prevent or reduce heat and sound transfer, making them ideal for use in windows and doors of homes. The most commonly used is the double pane glass.
Insulated glass is more durable than ordinary glass. Several glass layers can increase strength and durability, making it ideal for commercial and industrial buildings. Insulated glass units can have multiple thicknesses depending on the number of glass layers used.
WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF INSULATED GLASS?
The glass panes are arranged in a unique way to make it stronger, more durable, and insulate against heat and sound. The amount of space between two panes and the cavity material determines how well insulated the unit is. Adequately sealed and arranged insulated units work more efficiently.
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Glass
The glass used in insulating units consists of laminated or tempered glass panes for added strength; several glass pieces improve insulation efficiency.
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Spacer and desiccant
A spacer is an aluminum or thermoplastic material used to separate the edges where the glass panes meet. The fixed gap they provide has a desiccant, most commonly silica or zeolites. A desiccant is a drying agent that removes humidity and moisture between the glass panes. Moisture fogs up the glass, making it lose its clarity.
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Gas-filled cavity
The cavity between the glass panes has an inert gas that gives the unit its insulation properties. Commonly argon, krypton, or both are used by manufacturers to create this insulating barrier.
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Sealant
Sealants ensure that the cavity is airtight. If the inert gas in the cavity escapes, the unit loses its insulating properties and strength. The sealant also prevents the entry of other gases, moisture, and humidity. Manufacturers use primary and secondary adhesives to ensure the structural integrity of the insulated glass unit.
PERFORMANCE OF INSULATED GLASS UNITS
Double pane glass in windows and doors is ideal because of its insulating properties against heat and sound. This insulating property increases energy efficiency and reduces power bills.
The insulated glass units’ performance depends on the thickness of glass and the panes’ insulating gas. Different window coatings improve efficiency by reflecting sunlight during warm weather or absorbing heat in cold climates. You can coat multiple surfaces of the unit for maximum performance.
The insulating gas between the glass panes is critical in the performance of double pane glass. All the components of the unit work together, and it is not possible to replace each independently. It is, therefore, essential to maintain your insulated glass unit to prevent leakage of this gas.
WHAT TYPES OF INSULATED GLASS ARE AVAILABLE?
Insulated glass units are available in different types depending on the need. They are versatile and can customizable to your needs by adding more layers of glass panes. Insulated glass units are differentiated depending on additional coatings, sealing layers, and the gas used to fill the cavity.
- Low-E insulated glass units
It is also known as low emissivity glass. An emissivity coat is a thin microscopic layer of metal oxides applied to barricade infrared radiation from the sun, giving the glass a greenish tint. This coating, together with the insulating gas, enhance the thermal insulation of the unit. Adding an emissivity coat can minimize energy loss by up to 50%. Special coatings allow some light to illuminate the inside space.
- Dual seal silicone insulated glass units
The manufacturers seal the glass panes using silicone to make the unit airtight for a longer time. Silicone bands are resilient, making the insulated glass unit stronger and ideal for commercial buildings and industries. They barricade against moisture, thus maintaining the unit’s integrity, and the glass retains its clarity.
- Argon-filled insulated glass
The cavity between the glass panes in the insulated glass unit is full of inert gas. Manufacturers use argon because it is cheap, colorless, non-corrosive, odorless, and non-toxic. It is preferred over air because it has low amounts of moisture and will not fog up the glass, and is a better insulator. Argon-filled insulated glass units have more soundproofing and thermal insulating abilities and improve the U-value of the unit. Argon-filled insulated glass units work well with Low-E coatings to increase energy efficiency.
CONCLUSION
Insulated glass units have two or more glass panes sealed together with insulating gas in the middle. They are robust, durable and their sound and thermal insulating properties make them ideal for energy efficiency. There are different types of insulated glass designed to suit different needs.
At Glassupply.com, we stock various high-quality insulated glass units and customized them to your needs. We offer the best prices in the market and deliver them to your door. All our products come with a one year manufacturer’s guarantee. Contact us for all your inquiries about insulated glass, and we will be glad to help you.
