3 Types Of Glass To Consider For Your Home

Every home utilizes glass. Obviously, it is the main component in windows, but glass is a unique material. Its typical transparent nature allows one to look outside their home to the world beyond, but it also plays a big role in controlling how much heat escapes as well as how much is allowed in. Different glass styles allow for different uses. Here is a look at different types of glass to consider for your home.

Tinted Glass

Glass manufacturers produce tinted glass by adding chemicals, usually metal oxides, to glass during the manufacturing process. The tinted color absorbs the heat and radiates it back out, helping to reduce cooling costs in warm climates. The tint color is generally done in neutral shades of gray, brown, blue, and green. You can choose the glass tint to coordinate with other aspects of your house, such as the siding and roofing color. Tinted glass is good for homes that have sun rooms or a lot of southern exposure windows.

Reflective Glass

Reflective glass is often seen on commercial office buildings. A metal coating is applied, which gives the windows a high-tech appearance, adding to the overall architectural aesthetic of the building. The end results are windows that are quite reflective. Reflective glass is available in the same shades tinted glass is, and it provides some protection from the sun, thereby reducing energy consumption. While it wouldn't likely be a good option for a traditional home, reflective glass can be successfully used on more modern residences or homes that combine traditional elements with industrial elements.

Tempered Glass

Sometimes called toughened glass, tempered glass is glass that goes through a specific manufacturing process that makes it much stronger and far less likely to break than regular panes of glass. The glass is also manufactured in such a way that it is less likely to completely shatter, making it better suited for areas where safety is of importance.

When tempered glass is manufactured, it goes through the tempering process, which is where it derives its name. Tempering is a process of extreme heating followed by quickly cooling the panes. This process is usually repeated several times. The end result is a glass which is significantly stronger because of the chemical changes the glass goes through with tempering. Tempered glass is therefore able to withstand higher temperatures. This makes it perfect for applications such as fireplace doors, where it will be routinely exposed to high heat. It is also frequently used for door panels, where it provides extra security from break-ins.

For more information, contact a business such as Valley Glass Utility.