Choosing glass for IGUs: what you need to know
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What kind of glass should you get installed in an IGU? Get the lowdown in our jargon-free blog post.
Are you getting a pane of glass in an IGU installed or replaced? Unsure what type of glass to go for? Then you've come to the right place.
An IGU is an insulated glass unit – two or three panes of glass separated by a spacer and sealed to prevent condensation.
You can't explain the purpose and value of an IGU without talking about that space between the panes. These air pockets – which are sometimes filled with a noble gas like argon – make the glass a better insulator.
This means that your room will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer – a boon for your physical comfort, your energy bills and your domestic carbon footprint.
That's all well and good – but what kind of glass should you use?
The benefits of toughened glass for double and triple glazing
Toughened glass is categorised as a type of safety glass. This is because it can withstand greater force than other types of glass – and in the event of a breakage, it breaks into lots of small pieces rather than shards that have the potential to cause injury.
So, if security is a concern, toughened glass is the way to go.
As well as being safe, it's impressively resistant to scratches – and the weather. It takes more than rain or hail to mark or otherwise damage a pane of toughened glass.
It's resistant to thermal breakage, too. This makes it ideal for installation near ovens, fireplaces and other sources of heat – as well as in hot climates.
It's easy to maintain. In most cases, you can simply spray it with glass cleaner and wipe it down. If dirt and debris build up over time, you may have to put in a bit more elbow grease – but if you clean it regularly, it couldn't be simpler.
So far, so good for you – but did you know that toughened glass is also good for the planet? That's because it keeps heat in during the winter and out in the summer. At a time when sustainability is creeping higher and higher up our agendas, this is a great asset in any building.
Finally, it's customisable. A versatile glass processor will be able to tint it, frost it or laminate it for you. You can also explore the world of decorative glass, be it coloured glass or smart glass. This is a type of glass that can go from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.
These benefits speak for themselves, providing you with IGU glass that's low-maintenance, high-quality and aesthetically pleasing. But it can also add value to your property – especially at a time when the construction industry has pivoted to double glazing as the norm.
Why does toughened glass break safely?
One of the big reasons for installing toughened glass in an IGU is that it breaks safely. Whereas some types of glass will shatter on impact, toughened glass can withstand many blows. And when it does break, it shatters into lots of small pieces – not chunky jagged shards that can cause injury.
This is all possible because of the manufacturing process. Glass is toughened by heating it to a high temperature in a furnace. It's then removed and rapidly cooled. This affects the molecular composition of the glass in such a way that it doesn't break into large shards on impact.
What are my options for decorating IGU glass?
A pane doesn't have to be plain. You can get it tinted, frosted, coloured or digitally printed. All of these methods unlock aesthetic possibilities for your home or business.
Digital printing, for instance, allows you to print the glass with a design of your choice. Once printed, it's locked into the glass. It won't fade like normal inks but will last as long as the glass does.
You can also explore the world of smart glass. This is glass that can be switched from transparent to opaque and back again with the touch of a button on your smart home system. It affords privacy as well as design opportunities.
What are the benefits of IGUs?
For our money, there are three main benefits of IGUs – and these benefits can only be deepened by the use of toughened glass.
First, IGUs are good for keeping out draughts and keeping waste heat to a minimum. This means greater comfort but also lower energy bills.
Second, they're good for soundproofing. If you live on a noisy street or are plagued by loud neighbours, double or triple glazing can make a noticeable difference (and the same applies if you're the noisy one!)
Third and finally, IGUs are stronger than single panes. While breakages are rare, they do happen – so it's best to err on the side of caution and get an IGU installed.
All three of these benefits are well served by toughened glass, which is also great at keeping noise and air out.
How do you know if you've got IGU windows?
It's not always obvious how many panes are in your IGU just from looking. You can find out for sure with nothing more than a matchstick.
Simply light a match and hold it to the glass. A single reflection in the flame means single glazing. Two reflections mean double glazing. Three reflections mean – you've guessed it – triple glazing.
Obviously, you need to be careful not to get the flame too close to the glass.
About ToughGlaze
At ToughGlaze, we cut, process and treat high-quality toughened glass. We do this for a huge range of industries and applications, including domestic and commercial IGUs.
Whatever you need your toughened glass for, we can get it to you quickly. And because we do everything under one roof here at our state-of-the-art facilities, we can keep you updated about your order.
So if you're looking for
toughened glass for windows, don't hesitate to
contact us for a quick, competitive quote.
