Advances in glass technologies have increased the options available to homeowners. Energy-efficient materials and improvements in fabrication methods can increase indoor comfort while reducing the cost of heating and cooling your home. Working with a professional Houston glass company can ensure that you receive the most accurate and complete information when choosing replacement glass for windows and doors. Here are five of the most popular residential window glass options for your Houston home.
Low-Emissivity Glass
Most commonly referred to as Low-E glass, this material is coated with one or more layers of chemicals to block both ultraviolet and infrared light while allowing light in the visible spectrum to pass through with minimal loss. Ultraviolet light can cause fading and discoloration of indoor furnishings. Infrared light carries heat into your home. By blocking infrared rays, you can often realize significant savings on your cooling bills during the summer months. Low-E glass is typically used in double-glazed glass solutions to provide added insulating power and to reduce the effects of infrared and ultraviolet light on interior spaces.
Solar Control Glass
Designed to reduce heat transmission in areas with large arrays of windows or expansive exposure to sunlight throughout the day, solar control glass products offer a greater degree of indoor comfort during hot and sunny days in Houston. By reflecting a large portion of the sun’s infrared rays, these materials can lower the cost of cooling your residence and can provide you and your family with greater comfort. Solar glass solutions are ideal for areas at risk of heat buildup because of prolonged sun exposure throughout the day and evening hours. By opting for these advanced sun-filtering products, Houston homeowners can potentially reduce their cooling bills by as much as 40 percent over the course of a hot summer.
Acoustic Glass
Especially if your home is located close to a busy thoroughfare, you and your family could benefit from the installation of acoustic glass in some or all of your windows and doors. Like other double-glazed window solutions, acoustic glass installations consist of two or more layers of glass with a central layer of gas, air or other materials. Some acoustic glass solutions are fabricated using laminated glass to provide even greater protection against the intrusion of sound. Working with a qualified Houston residential glass company can help you determine the best way to keep outdoor noise from affecting comfort inside your home.
Tempered Glass
Areas that see a lot of traffic may require a tougher, more durable glass to reduce the risk of breakage. Fire glass is especially rugged and is used to enclose fireplaces and in other areas where heat resistance and durability are of extreme importance. Sliding patio doors, front entryways, and children’s rooms are often chosen for upgrades to the tempered or laminated glass to prevent accidental breakage. Laminated glass is even more resistant to damage than tempered glass and is a preferred choice for many Houston commercial glass installations.
Tinted Glass
Typically designed to limit the amount of light and heat that enters your home, tinted glass solutions are usually intended to absorb some or all of the infrared rays of the sun to prevent them from entering your home. These materials must usually be combined with other types of energy-efficient glass to produce the desired results. Additionally, the ultraviolet rays blocked by the tinting on these glass products can have a negative effect on the quality of light and the health of the house plants inside your home.
The experts at Northwest Glass & Mirror can provide you with in-depth information regarding each of these types of residential glass and how they can help you enjoy your Houston home to the fullest. We offer comprehensive glass replacement and repair services for residential and commercial clients across the metropolitan area. Call us today at 281-463-7801 to discuss your glass replacement needs. We look forward to the chance to serve your glass repair and replacement requirements.
