Glass Options

How to select glass for your windows

Glass Type	Advantages	Limitations
Float Glass
Derives its name from the name of its manufacturing process, the float process. In this process, a sheet of glass is passed repeatedly on a bed of molten tin. This process gives uniform thickness and a bright surface to the glass	Gives high visibility and clarity Can be further fabricated into other forms of glass like reflective, tinted, toughened etc.	Does not offer enhanced features like insulation, protection etc. Vulnerable to break ins.
Double Glass Unit
The insulated Glass unit is a set of 2 layers of glass with an aluminium spacer in between. Sealed to form a single unit with an air gap between the two glasses. Space between glasses is filled with dry air, which improves insulation.	Improved insulation reduces air conditioning/heating bills. Improves sound insulation significantly, reducing road and aircraft noise. Slender frames fit perfectly well with the look of the windows. Increases security	In case of breakage, entire Double glazed unit has to be replaced. In rare cases, a fault may develop in the unit, leading to condensation.
Reflective Glass
The metallic coating on top of the float glass reduces the impact of radiation. The special metallic coating also produces a mirror effect preventing a person from seeing through the glass.	Reduces the impact of light and heat radiation from the sun. Enhances the effectiveness of air conditioners. Ideal for rooms exposed to the sun. View from outside is blocked during the day. The view from inside is clear	After dark, view from outside becomes clear. Windows may require blinds at night.
Thoughened Glass
Produced by applying a special treatment to ordinary float glass. The treatment involves heating the glass to very high temperatures (about 620 degrees C) so that it begins to soften; and then cooling it rapidly.	Upto 4-5 times stronger than normal float glass. Provides enhanced security to windows.	The glass cannot be re worked once thoughened. Glass likely to get damaged
Laminate glass
Laminated Glass consists of two or more panes of glass bonded together by a tough.durable plastic Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) interlayer(s). When broken by impact, it tends to remain fixed in its frame, minimizing the risk of injury from sharp edges. Thickness and number of PVB layers can be increased, if requred.	Highly secure. Offers greater personal safety after breakages as it remains in the frame despite a strong impact Improves sound insulation due to the sound-damping capabilities of the PVB interlayer

Glass Options

Relative Comparison

Application	Heat Insulation		Sound Insulation		Safety
Glass Type	Direct Sunlight	Indirect Solar Heat	Low Intensity	High Intensity
Normal Glass (Float/Annealed Glass)	√		√
Tinted (coloured)	√√		√
Reflective Glass	√√√		√
Double Glass	Х	√√	√	√
Triple Glass	Х	√√√	√√	√√
Laminated Glass	√	√√	√√√	√√√	√√√
Toughened Glass	√		√		√√

*Combination of the different glasses possible in Double and Triple glass to suite different application. For example – if the application requires insulation from direct sunshine and also from non solar heat, a Double Glass with reflective glass on out side and normal glass inside can be provided.

√ – Good √√ – Very good √√√ – Excellent

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