The windows are an integral aspect of any home. Not only do they allow light to flow into the home, but windows are also important for the overall aesthetic of the property, showcasing the home’s curb appeal. Therefore windows have been crucial in property construction for centuries, but modern techniques and materials have changed how glass windows are made. Modern windows are innovative, helping to improve the energy efficiency of the home, minimizing heat loss in winter and keeping the home cool in summer. So, if you’re considering upgrading your windows, you may be interested to know how window glass is made.
Materials Used in Making Glass Windows
Glass is created when several minerals are melted at very high temperatures of 1700ºc or 3090ºf. The raw materials include silica sand or silicon dioxide, which is combined with soda ash and limestone.
However, there are a number of glazing materials that can enhance the basic glass recipe, which may influence the product you choose when you’re considering windows replacement. The best windows company in toronto offer a variety of coatings including:
Low-E:
There are two types of Low-E coatings; hard and soft. Both coatings help to reduce heat loss, but soft typically provides more effective performance in colder climates since it has superior insulation properties.
Solar Control:
This coating helps to control the levels of sunlight entering the home. Solar Control can reduce sun glare and prevent an excessive amount of heat building up indoors to create a more comfortable environment.
Self Cleaning:
This is a more recent innovation in how window glass is made, which facilitates sunlight to break down dirt or debris. This provides a lower maintenance window, which is particularly helpful if you have a hard to reach window, such as awning windows or if you live in an area with frequent rainfall.
UV Protection:
UV can fade furniture and carpeting, but this coating blocks the rays entering the home.
Manufacturing Process of Glass Windows
So, now we’ll get into how window glasses are made. Essentially, the manufacturer uses a furnace where the combination of raw materials can be turned into a liquid state. To prevent the mixture from being totally dissolved, limestone is added to create silica glass. This type of glass, called flat glass, is the most common and it can be molded into window panes, bottles, containers and other shapes or objects.
However, the process of how glass windows are made can be adjusted to create tempered glass, which is heat treated to prevent it easily shattering. The process involves heating the glass in a tempered oven, before it is rapidly cooled using cold water jets or blasting with high pressure air. The rapid cooling causes the outer glass surface to cool and contract more quickly compared to the core of the pane, which creates compressive stress on the surface and tensile stress within the glass.
The finished glass can then be shaped to the specific requirements for the window frames.
Types of Glass and Performance Considerations
There are several types of glass, which have slightly different processes of how window glass is made, but each offer different performance characteristics.
Double/Triple Glazing:
As the name suggests, double or triple glazing has two or three layers of glass respectively. Between each layer of glass, there is an air gap to improve energy efficiency and offer noise reduction.
Laminated/Tempered Glass:
As we touched on above, these types of glass have a different process of how window glasses are made, since they use heating/rapid cooling, or layers of plastic to make it more difficult for the glass to break for increased safety and security.
Conclusion
While the basic process is similar for different types of window glass, how glass windows are made can have a massive impact on the finished product. The combination of raw materials and heat creates a clear finish, but with the addition of coatings, you can enjoy a window that not only looks great but provides additional benefits for your home comfort and security.
