Types of Window Glass: How to Choose the Best Glass for Windows

One aspect you may not consider when you window shop is the actual glass. Different types of window glass can directly affect aspects of your home, such as energy efficiency, room temperature, and even your security

If you have been shopping around for the best window glass for your home, you have come to the right place. Continue reading to learn more about glass considerations and how to choose the best type.

Key Things to Consider When Selecting Window Glass

Glass plays a key role in your windows. It lets natural light through while providing your home with a barrier against the outside elements. 

There are many things to consider before selecting a glass type. Before selecting your glass, consider the following factors:

Energy Efficiency

Window glass helps insulate your home, which prevents your HVAC system from using too much energy. 

Insulated glass, such as double or triple-pane glass, offers multiple layers to allow for insulating gas or air. Also consider low-E glass, which has a special coating that allows light to pass through but reflects heat inside. 

Your Local Climate

Climate plays a role in the type of window glass you should choose. For consistently cold climate regions, it’s best to pick a glass type like low-E; the special coating allows for better heat retention, perfect for Chicago winters. 

Other types, like double paned, drastically reduce heat transfer into your home for those in warmer climates. 

Cost Factors

The cost of glass can differ. Always consider your budget and overall goals before you shop around.

If you are looking for windows that produce long-lasting results, certain types of glass, like tempered or laminated glass, may have a pricey upfront cost, but they more than make up for it in terms of resistance and security. 

On the other hand, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly choice, options like float glass have an attractive price tag but might disappoint regarding security or energy savings.

Security Preferences

If you’re like most homeowners, security is your top priority. Laminated glass is crafted with an interlayer that helps hold the glass together even when broken.

Also consider insulated glass windows, such as double or triple panes, which are designed with multiple layers of glass. These create a durable barrier that is almost impossible to break when formed. 

Popular Types of Window Glass

Float Glass

When you think about glass, you’re likely imagining float glass. This is your typical fragile glass crafted from a single piece of material, which makes it a much more affordable option for homeowners. However, the simple design creates a clear disadvantage, as the material is not very strong and prone to shattering on impact.

Low-E Glass

Crafted with a special coating, low-E, or ‘low emissivity’, glass allows you to enjoy natural light while keeping the heat outside. The special coating blocks out UV rays that would directly damage items like furniture. Low-E glass provides the dual advantage of high-quality insulation, which is ideal for winter. 

The drawbacks of low-e glass include a slight reduction in natural light transmission into your home, which results in less visible light. Additionally, low-e glass tends to have a higher upfront cost compared to other options due to the more complex manufacturing and installation processes involved.

Laminated Glass

This type of glass consists of two pieces of float glass pressed together by a thin PVB resin layer. When combined, these create a resilient piece of glass that can withstand harsher forms of impact. Even if the window breaks, the resin layer keeps the pieces stuck together, eliminating the risk of injury from shattered glass. 

That durable build comes with a drawback: a high price tag. Due to the added resin, the manufacturing process requires more materials and steps. Exposure to excessive moisture or heat can also cause the layers to delaminate over time. 

Tempered Glass

Most glass undergoes an annealing step, where the glass is cooled slowly to remove stresses. Tempered glass goes through ‘tempering’. Tempering enhances the overall durability and strength of annealed windows, creating an ideal type for both small and large windows for homes in busy areas.

Tempered glass, while not unbreakable, shatters into smaller, less dangerous shards under force.

Insulated Glass

The general term describes windows, such as double or triple-pane windows. These windows are designed with a space bar that separates the layers, which are filled with argon or krypton gases. 

Adding these gases helps to create enhanced insulation between the panes, which gives homeowners better UV protection. However, the added layers of protection come with some disadvantages. First, the price, because it takes more materials and a longer process to create one of these windows properly. 

Another issue is durability, as the window is not immune to breaking. If one of the panes breaks, the gases inside will be lost, resulting in far worse insulation. 

Obscured Glass

For those looking to keep their privacy, obscured glass might be your ideal pick. These glass types are designed with intricate etching or beveling, making it almost impossible to see through from the other side. The designs still allow natural light to come through and show window shadows, making them perfect for rooms like bathrooms. 

Aside from the reduced visibility, the only other downsides are the intricate designs. Etched textures or patterns can be prone to dirt and debris buildup, making the glass look dirty. The intricate designs also require a longer, complex manufacturing process, resulting in a heftier upfront price tag. 

Heat-Strengthened Glass

This window glass type could be considered a lesser version of tempered glass. After the annealing process, the glass is slightly tempered to enhance the material’s durability against impacts. The slight tempering allows for glass that is much more resistant to cracking or breaking

The problem is when the glass does break. With a strong enough impact, heat-strengthened glass can break into long and sharp fragments, creating a risk of injury.

Acoustic Glass

Acoustic glass is best for those who enjoy quiet time. Unlike other forms of window glass, acoustic glass is designed to reduce noise. It is built using two sheets of acoustic interlayer glass, which are crafted to block out sound waves from a range of frequencies. This keeps your home quiet—even when the neighbors are blasting music at full volume. 

However, the special acoustic interlayer has a higher price tag. Other problems come from the increased weight of the glass, which may not be ideal for weaker window frames. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can also cause delamination or cracking. 

Annealed Glass

This is a standard glass type that is cooled normally during the manufacturing process instead of the extra heating used for tempered glass. The shorter process creates a much simpler, effective, and affordable option for window glass. 

Compared to tempered glass, annealed glass is not as strong, resulting in material that can be easier to crack and break when given enough force. When broken, the glass comes apart into small shards that pose a serious safety risk. To this point, some building codes may even restrict you from installing annealed glass due to the risk of injury. 

What is the Best Type of Window Glass?

The simplest answer? Low-e window glass is your best all-around pick. The glass type provides the most benefits for comfortable day-to-day living. The specialized coating prevents heat from transferring indoors during the warmer parts of the year and blocks harmful UV rays from affecting your furniture or clothing. 

Low-e glass also helps during the colder months of the year. The coating blocks the transfer of heat, keeping you and your family cozy and warm. Combine this with added glare reduction, and you have a window glass type that fits your home like a glove. 

Need Help Deciding Which Window Glass is Best for Your Home?

At NEXT Door & Window, your comfort and design goals are our priority. Our experts will work with you to understand what your perfect window replacement looks like and what glass type best fits your comfort needs. Whether you’re looking for the best energy efficiency or need windows to drown out the noise, our expert team will find the best glass for you. 

Call NEXT Door & Window or schedule an appointment with our experts today to give yourself a perfect view.