Glass Types

A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Glass

Glass does more than just frame your view - it transforms your space. At Solarlux by Reveal, we specialise in glass structures including wintergarden glass extensions, glass rooms, sliding and bi-fold doors, and windows. We know the importance of choosing the right glass types for your home. Each type of glass serves a specific purpose, offering solutions that make your living environment more comfortable, energy efficient and climate responsive.

From enhancing natural light to improving insulation, glass has evolved to meet the demands of modern living. By selecting the ideal glass for each room, you can elevate your home's design and functionality. With today's trend for oversized architectural glazing, the most important aspect is the sheer size of the glass panels. When there is such extensive glazing, it really needs to perform superbly, not just for aesthetics but also for safety, stability and security. Explore how innovative glazing options can bring a perfect balance to your space.

Window Glazing Types Used in the Industry

Glazing can be quite intricate, filled with industry terms that might leave you scratching your head. Take "annealed glass/float glass," for instance. This is standard glass in its basic form before undergoing treatments like tempering (toughening) or laminating. Understanding terms like these can help you make informed choices as you explore your options. The right type of glazing helps tackle common frustrations like intrusive noise, fading interiors from sun exposure, and rising energy bills. Here are some of the most common types of glass products available:

Toughened Glass (Safety Glass)

Toughened glass is heat treated to increase its strength and durability. By heating the glass to over 600°C and cooling it rapidly, internal tension and surface compression are created, making it twice as strong as annealed glass (float glass). Should it break, it crumbles into safer, small chunks instead of sharp shards. This enhanced safety makes it an excellent choice for areas prone to impact or heavy usage, offering reliable performance across various applications.

Laminated Glass (Safety Glass)

Laminated glass incorporates interlayers such as one or more polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or other laminate technologies to bond multiple panes together. Even when broken, the interlayers keep the glass intact, creating a large spider web-like crack pattern, generally without collapsing or falling out. Originally developed in the early 20th century, laminated glass is widely used today for its shatter-resistant qualities in settings like vehicles, buildings, and other spaces requiring reinforced safety.

Building Regulations such as Approved Document Q (PAS24) require laminated glass to Class P1A or higher in certain instances, for example below 3500mm from ground level for doors and certain other criteria.

Insulated Glass

Insulated glass, also known as double or triple glazing, improves thermal efficiency by trapping air (now usually >90% argon gas) between two or three panes separated by spacers. This design reduces heat transfer and helps retain warmth indoors, cutting heat loss by about 25%. Popularised in the 20th century, insulated glass remains an energy-efficient option that supports more comfortable indoor environments while lowering energy bills over time.

Low-E Glass

Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass is a thermally efficient option designed to reduce heat loss in buildings. It features a thin, transparent coating that reflects heat back indoors, preventing it from escaping. This ensures warmer interiors during colder months without relying solely on heating systems. Our specialised tools check for proper Low-E coating application, guaranteeing optimal performance in energy-conscious designs.

Low Iron Glass

Low iron glass offers superior clarity by reducing the greenish tint/hue seen in standard glass. This clarity makes it a popular choice for projects requiring maximum natural light or high-visibility edges, such as showrooms or architectural applications. By replacing some iron content with alternative materials, this product offers a bright, more colour-neutral appearance for contemporary spaces.

Acoustic Glass

Acoustic glass minimises noise pollution, making it ideal for buildings in loud environments like cities or near transport hubs. Using specialist laminated layers with an interlayer designed to absorb sound vibrations, acoustic glass reduces the transfer of sound waves through the panes. This creates a calmer, quieter interior, even in the face of external noise from heavy traffic or industrial activity, while maintaining a visually appealing finish.

Safety Glass

Safety glass is made with enhanced breakage resistance for secure applications in homes and commercial spaces. Building regulations often require the use of safety glass (toughened or laminate) in low-level windows and nearly all glazed doors, and it's highly recommended for homes with children or pets. With its shatter-resistant properties, safety glass reduces risks associated with accidental impacts, offering unparalleled peace of mind for families and businesses alike.

We use safety glass in all locations as standard as we feel that should be the true minimum standard for any home owner.

Heat Soak Tested Toughened (Safety Glass)

Heat soak tested (HST) toughened safety glass undergoes an advanced process to reduce the chances of later breakage due to nickel sulphide inclusions. Larger panes of thermally toughened glass are subjected to a meticulous heat soak process, which involves heating the glass to over 280°C, holding it at 290°C ± 10°C for two hours, and then cooling it in a controlled manner. This procedure exposes potential critical inclusions - impurities within the glass that could lead to spontaneous breakage - ensuring the panes that pass are exceptionally durable. HST toughened glass withstands thermal stresses and shocks at levels that exceed five times the strength of standard annealed glass (float glass), making it an even more robust solution for applications where safety and stability are paramount.

Discover Your Perfect Glass Solution

At Solarlux by Reveal, we offer unparalleled glazing solutions to transform your home. From better energy efficiency and comfort control to more security, safety, privacy, and peace from the outdoors, our solutions have everything to match your preferences. Achieve a serene and stylish living space with our expert guidance. Contact us today to explore our full-service solutions and find the ideal glazing products for your home.