What is Window Glazing?

When 56 industry experts got together to discuss their clients’ highest household priorities, Energy star windows swooped in 10th place, proving that modern-day home owners are becoming increasingly practical about their energy use. Manufacturers are meeting that soaring demand by designing innovative ways to enhance energy efficiency. Triple glazing and low-E glass are quickly becoming a norm rather than a luxury.

Technically, glazing merely refers to the glass in your window frame, but there are several kinds of glazing. Glass can be laminated, tempered, tinted, and installed in triple units. It’s usually fit into a groove known as a rabbet. Spacer bars are typically used to create a gap between panes. Primary and secondary seals block air from the frame and keep all glazing parts connected.

Inert gas is often used to improve the window’s insulation, and invisible coatings are added to block UV rays. These days, float glass is the most common type used, but tempered glass is popular for its strength and durability. In recent years, low-E glass has also become popular due to its capacity to reduce heat transfer.

Types of window glazing

Double and triple glazing

Double and triple glazing includes two or three panes of glass to reduce noise and improve insulation. Argon or krypton can be used between these panes to reduce heat transfer even more. A few years ago, double glazing was the firm favorite because triple glazing required a thick frame that often required a custom build. In the last year, triple glazing innovations have overcome those challenges, so the best products on the market are finally affordable for most homeowners.

Double-pane windows usually have half the R-value of triple-pane products. The latter are better at retaining winter heat and keeping it out on sweltering summer days. Triple-pane windows are certainly more expensive, but they pay for themselves in the form of energy savings.

Low-E glass

If you’re serious about cutting your energy bills, low-emissivity glass has a thin coating that reduces heat transfer. That means cooler summers, warmer winters, and fewer décor-bleaching UV rays. Low-E glass is so efficient you’ll need to use your HVAC system more judiciously to avoid cloying heat. This form of glazing will reflect 86% of solar thermal energy.

The importance of window glazing

US electricity prices have been soaring for decades. They’ve risen by an average of 2.85% a year for the last quarter of a century. The US Energy Information Administration expects prices to go up by 13% before the end of 2025. That chops a significant chunk out of your salary, particularly in extreme-weather environments that rely wholly on HVAC systems for comfort.

Glazing is a core part of any insulating shell. A standard single-pane window loses 10 times more heat than an insulated wall. Your windows are one of the weakest parts of your insulation. You simply can’t control your heat flow without radiant barriers and Energy Star windows.

Noise reduction is, of course, another core issue for glaziers. Triple glazing can reduce noise pollution by as much as 51 decibels. With the help of acoustic, triple-pane glass and well-sealed window frames, you can create a more peaceful indoor environment.

Window glazing has another secret superpower: It makes your windows more difficult to break, so it will help keep burglars where they belong: outside. Toughened glass is the perfect way to achieve twice the strength of annealed glass. When it breaks, it also shatters into tiny pieces, preventing injuries along the way. Laminated glass is also designed to prevent injuries. It’s bonded with an interlayer that keeps everything together when the glass is broken.

How to choose the right window glazing

Every climate needs its own unique collection of glazing options. If you experience chilly winters, triple-glazed, gas-filled windows are best. Low-E coatings and thermal breaks will help, too. Both are equally useful in hot climates, but look for low-E glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). This will allow your windows to reflect solar radiation. Mixed climates require a balanced approach with a low U-factor and SHGC. Argon gas fills will insulate in all weather.

Assessing energy ratings and performance

The window industry has developed enough energy ratings to make you balk, but Energy Star keeps it simple with two metrics:

U-factor: The lower this number sinks, the more energy efficient your windows are.
Solar heat gain coefficient: This tells you how much solar heat passes through your glass.

Long-term cost benefits of quality glazing

High-level window glazing can seem expensive, but you will quickly reap the benefits over time in the form of reduced HVAC costs. It can even extend the lifespan of your heating equipment. Good windows will give you half a century of serene, comfortable living.

Are you looking for a professional window installation? Feel free to contact 1-800-HANSONS for a free estimate.