A Guide To Selecting Dual Pane Insulated Glass

Energy Efficient Home Windows For Phoenix Arizona
Energy Efficient Window Glass Unit

Dual pane windows fail for a number of reasons. Seals break down over time and your windows can become foggy with moisture and condensation inside the unit. Chips, cracks and other types of damage can occur to the glass, causing the glass to become compromised and the entire dual pane window will need to be replaced. Fortunately, Superior Replacement Windows has the ability to replace a dual pane glass unit without disturbing the window frame and any exterior finishes (stucco, siding, stone facades, paint).

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive about window glass replacement is, “What type of glass do you have and what are my options?” Typically, we can carefully assess the thickness, color and type of glass of the current dual pane windows and match it accordingly. However, if multiple windows have failed or are broken, the owner may decide to upgrade the windows using a number of energy efficient options. Depending on the age of the home or commercial building, outdated glass thicknesses can also be upgraded to improve the strength and performance of the glass.

Glass Options

Annealed

Annealed glass is the most commonly used glass for dual pane windows in homes and even some office applications. It’s the least expensive option and is usually 0.125 – 0.1875 inches thick depending on the size of the window.

Tempered

Tempered glass, also known as safety glass, is required for windows within 24 inches of a doorway and is also used for glass entry doors and sliding glass doors. Tempered glass is stronger than annealed glass and upon impact shatters in tiny shards that are virtually harmless to humans and animals.

Finishes and Reflective Coatings

For bathroom applications or locations where privacy is an issue, obscure glass may be used on the interior layer of the dual pane window. Rain and satin are also popular privacy options for bathroom and enhance the design of the window.

Bronze reflective coatings can be used for both privacy and solar reflection. In Phoenix, bronze reflective glass is used for commercial windows, however, some higher-end homes also incorporate reflective glass on South and West facing exteriors to reflect intense sunlight.

Energy Efficient Options

Energy Advantage Glass

Energy advantage glass is the lowest cost low-e glass option which has a hard coating that optimizes the amount of heat gain and loss across the surface of the glass. In the Arizona summer, we want the amount of UV energy that passes through the windows to be minimized and trap the cool air inside the home. In the Arizona winter, we want the clear glass to allow the sun rays to pass through the glass and get trapped on the inside of the home. In the Phoenix area, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is the most important number to understand because it measures the amount of heat gain the glass will absorb. The lower the SHGC, the less heat is allowed inside the window and the less your cooling bill will be during the summer months. SHGC is measured in a range from 0-1 with typical values in the 0.3-0.4 range for the glass supplied by Superior Replacement Windows.

Solarban® 60 and RLE 70/36

Solarban® and RLE are the trade names for low-e window glass that has a soft coating applied to the glass. The proprietary coating allows more daylight in while also blocking the harmful UV rays, brightening the living space and also making it more energy efficient. Both of these low-e glass types insulate up to 50% better than standard clear insulating glass.

Triple Pane Windows

Triple pane windows are constructed in the same manner with an additional layer of glass sandwiched between the two outer panes, forming another insulation barrier between the exterior and interior of the home.

Design Options

Muntins are bar grids sandwiched between the two layers of glass to give the windows a classic look.

Dual pane window glass can be provided for all window designs including arches, picture windows and sliders (horizontal and vertical).

Recent Project

Dual Pane Window Replacement Phoenix
Dual Pane Window Replacement Project

A Phoenix homeowner called about replacing a dual pane window that was located above their front door. The window had been struck by a golf ball and needed to be replaced. The window was facing South and so a low-e glass was used and the unit was filled with Argon to improve the insulation rating. First the broken dual pane glass was removed from the window frame and discarded. After scraping away the old silicone seal, new silicone was applied to the frame. The new window was lifted above the door and carefully set into the frame. Due to the size of the insulated glass unit, this job required the help of three glaziers. Although this was a difficult installation due to the location and weight of the dual pane unit, everything went smooth and the new window looks fantastic.

A new dual pane glass unit takes 3-5 days for us to fabricate and is custom cut to fit the size of your window. When ordering a new dual pane windows, please ask about glass color, type, energy efficiency and special coatings based on the desired performance of the new window.

To learn more about dual pane window glass replacement and discuss your options with one of our glaziers, please call us at (602)-777-3717 or visit us:

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