The best type of glass for windows

If you have never ventured into the world of glass windows before, you will be really surprised to find the wide range of variety of this product. Needless to say, the window glass plays a very important role in defining the way you want your home to look. So, it is very important that you select the perfect kind of glass for your windows. For that, the first thing you will need is the knowledge to differentiate among different styles of glass windows and understand the factors that set them apart from each other.

Most of the times, the architect of your home would provide you the required guidance in purchasing the right style of glass window, but it always better to know it yourself. Here are the five most common styles of glass windows which are usually installed in Indian homes.

1. Float glass

Float glass is nothing but the regular glass which you come across in most of the windows around you. This glass material is inexpensive, can be cut easily and fitted in any shape and size of a window. However, the problem with this glass is that it is too brittle. It will definitely break if you hit it with a hard object and during climatic temperature fluctuations, it runs a risk of developing cracks. This is the reason why most people are opting for other styles of glass for windows.

2. Laminated glass

When float glass is laminated with a kind of industrial resin, it automatically gains strength and durability. It has been observed that float glass, once laminated, develops ample strength to withstand cyclonic winds. So, many people seem to prefer laminated glass for windows as it is not much expensive compared to regular glass.

3. Tempered glass

Tempering is a process to increase the structural strength of the glass. Tempered glasses are considered the best kind of glass to be fitted on windows which are located in busy areas. However, it is difficult to fit tempered glasses in small windows as they are difficult to cut.

4. Obscured glass

The popularity of obscured glass for windows is increasing day by day. Obscured glasses are actually etched and polished glasses with a translucent surface. These glasses allow light to pass through but one cannot see through it clearly. So, it is used as the most preferred kind of glass in bathrooms and in other places where privacy is expected.

5. Low-E glass

Low E-glass is a high quality variant of window glass, whose purpose is to block harmful rays of the sun. You would find low-E glass fitted on the windows of premium homes. Almost every brand like Saint Gobain is working on making low-E glass affordable for all, given the demand for protection from harmful rays.