Glass Properties
We are frequently asked to price a specific type of glass, yet we find out later that another type of glass would have suited the clients needs more effectively. The two most usual problems are to stop fading or to reduce noise. So we hope the following glass chart will give you more of an idea of what will suit you best.
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E & OE NB: For condensation control, double glazing is really the only effective solution, and even that is only effective according to temperature and moisture levels. Please contact us if you would like a copy of the WANZ leaflet on Condensation. |
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Tinted Glass
The standard range of tints for glass are Grey, Bronze and Green. Blue tint is available at a premium cost.
Tint is an oxide added to the molten glass during manufacture, so the thickness of the glass will determine
the darkness of the tint.
Tint is an oxide added to the molten glass during manufacture, so the thickness of the glass will determine
the darkness of the tint.
THICKNESS OF GLASS
Different thicknesses of glass are required for different areas of a house to comply with safety codes.
Glass for an ordinary window is normally 4mm, but safety codes call for 5mm glass for panes of glass within 500mm of the floor, for sliding doors with vision rails and for the lower pane of a door with a vision rail. If some of the glass in a house lot is 4mm and some 5mm this can look patchy,
so where tinted glass is required all the glass becomes 5mm to keep the tint look uniform.
In some cases, e.g. in larger fixed panes, larger sliding doors, or in Safety from falling situations, the glass required by the code is 6mm, or even occasionally 8mm or 10mm. This can present a
problem where tinted glass is required as these thicknesses of tint glass are quite dark and grey or bronze tint may leave the house feeling cold, dark and enclosed. There are various ways of dealing with this issue depending on your circumstances, so please talk it over with us before going ahead with your project.
TINTED LAMINATE GLASS
This glass does not share these darkness issues with standard tinted glass, as in laminate glass, the tint is contained in the plastic interlayer that bonds the two skins of glass. However the colour of tinted laminate glass is different again to the colour of standard tint glass, and so needs to be used
throughout the project for the tint to look consistent.
The downsides of Tinted Laminate glass
are cost (as a Grade A Safety Glass it is more expensive than annealed glass) plus there is a possible issue with
stress fractures occurring during frosty/sunny mornings.
DESIGN
Be aware that you do not have to tint the entire house. Windows on the south side of the house are often smaller for service rooms - tint glass may make these rooms feel cold and dark.
It may be that you only require tinted glass in one or two rooms, or on one face of the building.
Think about why you want tinted glass. Is it for privacy? Remember that with the light on, everything inside the room will be clearly visible from outside.
If you want tinted glass to cut reflection from a water view or other reflective surfaces, is this seasonal? and is it only for an hour or so each day? Tinted glass is tinted 24/7, so if you only want to cut
reflection for a short time each day, perhaps you might think about a blind that can be retracted once
the sun moves around
If you want tinted glass to stop fading ( grey tint performs best for this ) another option in clear glass is 6.38mm laminate,
which also has the added benefit of controlling noise.
Ask for samples and check them on site to see how they perform, as well as how they match your colour scheme.
Grey is the darkest, green the lightest, and each will affect your view differently, so always check to see which you would prefer to live with.
Glass for an ordinary window is normally 4mm, but safety codes call for 5mm glass for panes of glass within 500mm of the floor, for sliding doors with vision rails and for the lower pane of a door with a vision rail. If some of the glass in a house lot is 4mm and some 5mm this can look patchy,
so where tinted glass is required all the glass becomes 5mm to keep the tint look uniform.
In some cases, e.g. in larger fixed panes, larger sliding doors, or in Safety from falling situations, the glass required by the code is 6mm, or even occasionally 8mm or 10mm. This can present a
problem where tinted glass is required as these thicknesses of tint glass are quite dark and grey or bronze tint may leave the house feeling cold, dark and enclosed. There are various ways of dealing with this issue depending on your circumstances, so please talk it over with us before going ahead with your project.
TINTED LAMINATE GLASS
This glass does not share these darkness issues with standard tinted glass, as in laminate glass, the tint is contained in the plastic interlayer that bonds the two skins of glass. However the colour of tinted laminate glass is different again to the colour of standard tint glass, and so needs to be used
throughout the project for the tint to look consistent.
The downsides of Tinted Laminate glass
are cost (as a Grade A Safety Glass it is more expensive than annealed glass) plus there is a possible issue with
stress fractures occurring during frosty/sunny mornings.
DESIGN
Be aware that you do not have to tint the entire house. Windows on the south side of the house are often smaller for service rooms - tint glass may make these rooms feel cold and dark.
It may be that you only require tinted glass in one or two rooms, or on one face of the building.
Think about why you want tinted glass. Is it for privacy? Remember that with the light on, everything inside the room will be clearly visible from outside.
If you want tinted glass to cut reflection from a water view or other reflective surfaces, is this seasonal? and is it only for an hour or so each day? Tinted glass is tinted 24/7, so if you only want to cut
reflection for a short time each day, perhaps you might think about a blind that can be retracted once
the sun moves around
If you want tinted glass to stop fading ( grey tint performs best for this ) another option in clear glass is 6.38mm laminate,
which also has the added benefit of controlling noise.
Ask for samples and check them on site to see how they perform, as well as how they match your colour scheme.
Grey is the darkest, green the lightest, and each will affect your view differently, so always check to see which you would prefer to live with.