When replacing windows and doors, choosing the right type of glass is essential. Glass affects your home’s:
- Energy efficiency
- Noise reduction
- Privacy and security
- Aesthetics and style
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which type of glass is best suited for your needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular types of glass, their benefits, and how they can improve your home’s performance.
Anti – Sun Glass
Solar control glass also known as anti-sun glass minimises solar heat gain by reflecting solar radiation away from your home.
This type of glass is ideal for spaces prone to excessive heat, such as:
- Walkways
- Conservatories
- Orangeries
Benefits of Solar Control Glass:
- Reduces heat gain: Keeps interiors cooler during summer.
- Balances natural light: Allows plenty of light while reducing glare.
- Lowers energy costs: Minimizes the need for air conditioning.
How Does Solar Control Glass Work?
Solar control glass manages heat in three ways:
- Reflectance: Bounces solar radiation back into the atmosphere.
- Direct Transmittance: This allows some solar radiation to pass through.
- Absorption: Absorbs heat to reduce indoor temperatures.
Using these three mechanisms solar control glass regulates the amount of solar heat and light entering the building.
Decorative Glass
Decorative glass adds personality and elegance to your windows while enhancing privacy. Perfect for homeowners looking to customize their space. Decorative glass options include:
- Textured glass – including patterned and reeded
- Bespoke coloured glass designs on request
- Encapsulated decorative glass from your existing door or window
At Patchett Joinery, we collaborate with the award-winning Design Glass to create personalised glass designs that add a unique touch to your property.
Leaded Glass
Traditionally leaded glass windows were small panes of glass assembled with lead. Today a new type of lead is used that is then applied directly to the glass surface – this is called lead overlay or lead lighting.
Leaded windows provide a decorative element to your replacement windows, provide more privacy and are a perfect fit for historic houses and listed buildings. At Patchett Joinery we can also provide ‘aged’ lead which removes the shine, giving windows an authentic, weathered look.
Patchett Joinery leaded glass designs include:
- Square Lead
- Antiqued Square Lead
- Diamond Lead
- Antiqued Diamond Lead
Obscure Glass (frosted & textured glass)
Obscure glass enhances privacy without sacrificing natural light. Choose between frosted and textured glass for a stylish yet private atmosphere.
Obscure glass is ideal for:
- Bathroom windows, providing an extra level of privacy whilst still letting in natural light
- Sidelights next to front door, again giving an extra level of privacy
What is safety glass?
Safety glass is the term given to glass that reduces the risk of accident by impact, fracture, shattering or fire.
Toughened and Laminated Glass
Toughened and laminated glass are types of safety glass that are heat-treated and stronger than standard annealed float glass, meeting safety standards.
Toughened glass if broken will crumble into small granular chunks rather than splinter into jagged shards with a much reduced risk of injury.
Laminated glass holds together if shattered. A polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between the two or more layers of glass keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking up into large pieces.
The PVB interlayer also gives the glass a much higher sound insulation rating due to the damping effect and also blocks out 99% of incoming UV radiation.
Standard Glass (double & triple glazing)
Glass units are fully compliant with EN 1279 part 1 to 3 and we use a drained and ventilated glazing system to meet NHBC standards. The standard glass unit used is a double-glazed 24mm unit (4/16/4) or alternatively (6/12/6) depending on the glass requirement.
Piklington S1 Plus and Low Emissivity (Low E) Glass
Thermal glass has an advanced coating technology applied to the surface which captures warmth from natural sunlight to help heat the home and reflects heat back into the room reducing energy usage in the home.
Pilkington Opitherm S1 Plus is a high performance off-line coated low-e product with a range of benefits including:
- Ultra low Ug-value 1.0 W/m2K in a double-glazed IGU, in accordance with EN 673.
- Ug-values as low as 0.5 in triple IGUs.
Gas
To improve insulation, the gap between glazing panes is filled with inert gases. We offer:
- Argon Gas: Standard for most units.
- Krypton/Xenon Gas: Ideal for slim-line or narrow cavity glass units.
Low Iron Glass
This as a unique extra clear glass containing less iron oxide that is used to achieve a higher energy rating by allowing in more natural light. Due to the reduction of impurities, the appearance of Low Iron glass has a higher clarity and transparency. Low Iron glass is valued for its attractive appearance and optical qualities, giving the impression that there is no glass in the window at all.
Acoustic Glass
Acoustic glass significantly reduces external noise, making it perfect for:
- Homes near busy roads
- Properties close to airports
- Noise-sensitive environments
How Does Noise-Control Glass Work?
Acoustic glass reflects noise back to the source and absorbs sound energy to minimise disruption.
Which Type of Glass is Best for Your Home?
Choosing the best glass for your windows depends on your priorities:
- Energy efficiency: Opt for Low-E or thermal glass.
- Safety and security: Choose toughened or laminated glass.
- Noise reduction: Acoustic glass is ideal for sound insulation.
- Style and aesthetics: Decorative or leaded glass adds a unique touch.
At Patchett Joinery, we offer a wide range of glass options for your new bespoke timber windows and doors. Contact us today for expert advice or book a free visit to our showroom.
