Whether we notice them every day or not, windows play a vitally important role in making our homes more attractive, sustainable, efficient, and safe to be in. However, you might be surprised to learn that there isn’t just one type of window glass – choosing the best glass to use for windows actually depends on several different factors.
If you’re contemplating a window upgrade, chances are you’ve got plenty of questions (don’t worry – we’ve got the answers!). First and foremost, though, you may be wondering which type of glass to select for your new windows.
Before that step, it’s important to understand what your window glass options are. It’s also helpful – ahead of any changes you make – to figure out what you ultimately want to get out of your new windows. Essentially, how exactly do you want to enhance your living space?
By educating yourself about the various window and glass options that EuroLine offers, you can make an informed and confident decision – one that will continue to enrich your home for years and years to come.
Understanding Your Window Options
The first thing to consider is a simple but very important fact: not all windows are the same. Interestingly, there are several different kinds of window glass, which are optimized for different purposes.
Some windows are designed specifically to be the most sustainable, or to provide added security or energy efficiency. Others, however, also prioritize aesthetic elements such as colour tint, sound proofing, and elevated style.
Before you can choose the perfect windows for your home, let’s look at the best quality window glass options available to you:
1) Dual & Triple Pane Windows
Typically – and depending on the amount of light and heat you want to regulate – there are two main window options available to you: dual and triple pane windows.
a) Dual Pane Windows: Best Standard Glass for Windows
A dual pane window is the standard for many homes, and comes with many benefits:
- Constructed of two glass panels.
- Much more energy-efficient than single pane glass.
- Reduces energy costs by providing a low emissivity coating and a gas-filled insulating space between the layers.
b) Triple Pane Windows: Best Glass for Sustainable Windows
Just like its name suggests, triple pane windows differ from dual pane ones in that they have three glass panels. This extra pane also provides additional benefits:
- Enhanced with a low emissivity (LoE) coating.
- Further insulated with argon gas in spaces between panes.
2) Laminated Glass Windows: Best Glass for Security and Sound Insulation
Another option for your home is laminated glass. Made up of two or more layers, laminated glass is created by bonding together the different layers with polymer. After the layers and polymer are heated and pressurized, the end result is a very strong and insulated glass.
There are also other advantages to using laminated glass:
- Significantly increased security in preventing forced entries.
- Shatter-proof design, where the glass is manufactured to remain intact upon impact.
- Very efficient soundproofing to significantly reduce external noise levels.
- Protection from a high degree of UV radiation.
Understanding Your Window Objectives
Now that we’ve explored the various types of window glass, including their functions and benefits, it’s important to identify what your objectives are. Depending on your home and location, you may be looking for a type of window glass that’s sustainable. Or perhaps you’re also looking for glass that’s environmentally efficient, or even one that offers additional security for your home.
1) Best Glass for Sustainability
More and more homeowners are becoming interested in Passive House construction or renovation techniques, which incorporate sustainable window solutions for heating and cooling needs.
A passive house can significantly reduce – or even eliminate – the need for an active heating or cooling system, thereby providing long-term environmental and financial benefits.
EuroLine’s 4700 ThermoPlus® Tilt & Turn PHC are designed and fabricated with sustainability in mind.
As the most energy-efficient window in its class, the ThermoPlus system is also perfect for homeowners interested in glass which can easily scale in size depending on their needs, and that provides longevity, performance, and high quality:
- Made from 100% recyclable material.
- Awarded the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation.
- Provides 15% lower CO2 footprint compared to a conventional, steel-reinforced door.
- Made from 30-38% recycled uPVC.
- Seals out harsh weather.
- Offers superior thermal performance.
- Reduces energy costs.
2) Best Glass for Security
Protecting your home – and your family – is an important factor when considering your window glass. Certain windows are designed to be much stronger than others. This added level of security can be a significant deterrent in an attempted forced entry scenario.
Likewise, window glass which has been coated to be obscure can prevent peering eyes from seeing into your home – a little more peace of mind from added security certainly can go a long way!
In addition to their many sustainable benefits, EuroLine’s 4700 ThermoPlus® Tilt & Turn Windows provide a high degree of security:
- Resists break-in attempts with tough, high-impact strength profiles.
- Offers burglary protection via advanced multi-point locking hardware.
- Incorporates high-tech RAU-FIPRO® – a hybrid of fiberglass and vinyl – to provide unparalleled strength.
- Creates an elegant level of privacy with obscure glass.
- Provides optional adhesive technology bonding.
In fact, we showed how strong they are by taking a sledgehammer to them!
3) Best Glass for Creating a Quiet Space
Your home should be your oasis of calm – one where the often-disruptive noise of the outside world doesn’t interfere with your routine.
One way to accomplish this, by creating a quiet and calming space, is with EuroLine’s tilt & turn windows. Our manufacturing technology ensures that our windows are the most efficient for sound. They provide a greater level of comfort by limiting intrusive, external noise:
- Multipoint locking system provides sound dampening of up to 45 STC.
- Fiberglass composite corner welds form leak-free corners that outperform wood, aluminum, and traditional fiberglass in terms of limiting sound.
- Steel reinforced frame options further help to maximize durability and enhance sound dampening.
4) Best Glass for Home Design and Aesthetics
Your windows should offer plenty of comfort, security, and sustainable solutions. But that doesn’t mean they can’t also be a sophisticated and central design feature of your home.
When looking for the best glass for aesthetics, our tilt & turn laminated glass windows provide inspiring and diverse design options that will enhance your home – and your view.
Our windows offer a wide range of stylistic choices including:
- Elegant and sophisticated on-trend design options.
- German-engineered operation.
- Custom finishes in over 125 colours.
- Texture library including wood grains.
- Custom screen options.
- Obscure glass options for naturally lit feature walls.
- Easy access to both sides of the window for seamless cleaning.
Summary
Whether you’re looking for the best window glass for sustainability, security, creating a quiet space, or leveling up the interior design of your home, the windows you choose matter.
If you’re ready to enhance your home with new windows, we’re ready to help.
Learn more about EuroLine’s Tilt & Turn laminated glass windows now >
