FAQ
Windows will fog because the seals on the Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) have failed. When the seals fail, the insulating gas can escape which will let outside air and moisture into the space between the panes which causes them to fog.
No. You can’t replace just one side of an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) because it is comprised of 2 panes of glass adhered to a spacer, the spacer is then sealed around the edges to provide a water tight seal.
No once the seal fails and the gas leaks out and a new Insulated Glass Unit must be manufactured and the window must be replaced. Gas is used normally in Northern climates and the most common type used is Argon Gas. South of the Mason Dixon line Argon is not used much due to the warm climate.
Argon and krypton are odorless, colorless, non-toxic inert gases that can be used instead of air between panes of glass to increase insulation and energy efficiency. Argon is the cheaper, more readily available gas, but Krypton is a better insulator.
Tempered glass is about four times stronger than “ordinary,” or annealed, glass, and unlike annealed glass, which can shatter into jagged shards when broken, tempered glass breaks into small, relatively harmless pieces.
When glass is annealed, it is slowly cooled to relieve any internal stresses. Annealed glass is a great fit for table top glass, cabinet door glass and basement windows. It is not treated with heat, unlike tempered glass.
Insulated Glass Units (IGU) are typically double pane glass windows manufactured with 1 pane of glass on the outside (either: Clear, LoE, or Tinted) and a clear pane of glass on the inside. Between the two panes is either a metal or foam spacer this is what give us the different thicknesses for the glass unit.
Low “E”: Low-emissivity glass is coated with microscopic thin metal or metal oxide layers that allow visible light to pass through, while blocking ultraviolet and infrared solar energy and reflecting away long-wave room-side heat energy. Different types of Low “E” coatings offer varying levels of performance for each of these tasks.
U-Value: The rate of heat flow through a glazing system; the lower the value, the better the insulating quality. U-value can be compared to R-value by dividing 1 by the U-value. (Thus, a U-value of 0.5 equals an R-value of 2.)
SHGC: The amount of solar radiation that enters a building as heat. The lower the number, the better the glazing is at preventing solar gain. This translates into savings by needing less energy to cool or heat your home.
No. Our window repair experts will come to your residence give you a quote for glass replacement and most of the time can give you same day service.
Glass that is used for more than just a functional purpose—particularly if it is designed to be pretty or change the look of the space in which it is used—is decorative glass. Easily recognizable use of decorative glass might be frosted, colored or textured, which can be found in residential as well as corporate buildings. Uses can range from doors to stairways and hand rails, desks, tables and walls.
The videos below outline a couple different methods of making glass, float glass and coated glass.
General Window Safety Tips
- Close and lock your windows when children are around.
- Never depend on insect screens to prevent falls. Insect screens are designed to provide ventilation while keeping insects out. They will not hold a child’s weight against them.
- Be sure to keep furniture — or anything children can climb — away from windows.
- If you need ventilation, open only windows children cannot reach.
- Teach children not to play near windows.
- Unattended children run the greatest risk of falls and injuries. Nothing can substitute for responsible adult supervision.