When making energy-efficient upgrades, a good place to start is with window replacements. Outdated window glass allows heat to seep in or out of your home, causing your heating and cooling system to work much longer and harder than necessary. Keep your home comfortable and reduce energy costs by learning about better glass options. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are the Common Types of Window Replacement Glass?

The exterior windows in most homes often consist of either laminated or tempered glass. Laminated glass is made by fusing two layers of glass around an inner layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) to create a single pane of glass. The PVB prevents the glass from shattering, and it also provides excellent sound insulation and filters out up to 99% of UV light. These qualities make this glass an optimal choice for homes in close proximity to one another or those that do not already have a lot of natural shading.

Tempered glass does not consist of multiple layers. Instead, after the standard glass pane is cut to the desired size and shape, it is heated and then rapidly cooled, which will cause the center of the glass to remain in tension while the outer layer is in compression. This conflicting force makes the glass four times stronger than standard panes, and it also causes it to shatter into small, dull pieces when broken—making it a good choice for large exterior windows.

What Are Some Features of Window Glass?

To improve the energy-efficiency of exterior windows, most are now at least double-glazed. This means they consist of two window panes that are separated by an insulating layer of gas, which helps to reduce heat transfer.

In most instances, argon or krypton gas will act as the insulator. While they are both non-toxic, non-reactive, clear, and odorless, argon is often chosen due to its cost-effectiveness. However, as it requires the panes to have at least half-an-inch of space between them, it's not usually an aesthetically pleasing option for triple-glazed windows. In this instance, krypton is a better choice, as it only requires three-eighths of an inch between the panes, minimizing the frame depth.

If your window glass is preventing your home from being energy-efficient, contact Genesee Glass & Mirror about window replacement glass options. Since 1975, they have provided residential, commercial, and auto glass repair and replacement services in Monroe County, NY. They can repair and replace insulated glass found in all home applications, including shower glass doors, skylights, and arch-top windows. Call them today at (585) 621-3580 for a free estimate, and visit their website to learn more about their services.