INSULATED GLASS

Modern windows are built with an insulated glass unit (IG), which contains either two or three panes of glass, held a specific distance apart by a spacer. The glass is typically coated with a microscopically thin layer of tin or silver oxide (Low-E), which blocks solar heat and UV light. The space between the glass, is filled with either Argon gas or Krypton gas.

While the first double pane windows experienced a high rate of seal failure, modern windows, utilizing state-of-the-art components, rarely fail. Better windows will have a 3/4" - 1" IG unit (measured from outside of glass to outside of glass), and the glass used will be 1/8" thick (double strength glass). Single strength glass (3/32") is more susceptible to stress cracks and breakage from impacts.

SPACERS

Spacers perform three basic functions:

1. hold the panes of glass a precise distance apart
2. maintain the gas filling between the panes of glass
3. allow the glass to flex without cracking

The first generation of insulated glass units utilized aluminum box spacers, and they failed miserably. They allowed heat and cold to transfer through, compromising the efficiency potential, and they were prone to premature seal failure.

Better windows now incorporate improved spacers, such as Intercept, SuperSpacer, DuraSeal, or XL Edge into their design. These spacers utilize silicone and/or butyl rubber to keep the metal within the spacer from making contact with the glass surface. Super Spacer contains no metal whatsoever, and has been proven to outperform all other spacers.

Super Spacer®:

GAS FILLINGS

To increase the efficiency of an insulated glass unit, an inert gas is usually inserted into the airspace between the panes of glass. These gases are inert, harmless, and invisible.

Argon gas is typically used in double pane windows, since it performs best when the units panes of glass are at least 1/2" apart. Argon is 6 times denser than air, and it slows the transfer of heat and cold through the glass unit - improving the overall efficiency.

Krypton gas is best suited for triple pane windows, when the panes of glass are less than 1/4" apart. Krypton gas is 12 times denser than air, and it significantly slows the transfer of heat and cold through the glass unit.

LOW-E COATINGS

Low Emissivity coatings are microscopically thin layers of tin or silver oxide, which are applied to one of the glass surfaces, in order to block heat and damaging Ultra Violet light. Low-E coatings reduce the amount of visible light which normally penetrates through the glass, and appears as a bluish-green tint.
There are three categories of Low-E coatings; high solar gain, moderate solar gain & low solar gain. Low solar gain Low-E coatings are designed for southern climates, and are always applied to the inside surface of the outer pane of glass (surface 2). Low solar gain Low-E coatings will typically carry a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of .21 or lower.

UV light is responsible for as much as 90% of fading damage on carpets, drapes, and furniture. Ultra windows and doors offer the best performance in fade control, using the most advanced technology available today.