Replacing your current glass type with more efficient types is one of the best ways to save money in the long run. Luckily, there are many different types of new tempered, laminate, and Low-E glass that you can choose from.
Tempered glass is typically safer than regular clear glass because it has an added layer which acts as a safety barrier. This additional protective layer helps prevent breakage or cuts due to accidents such as dropping the item.
Laminate glass is much thinner than normal glass, making it lighter in weight. Because of this, experts say that it is better for eco-friendliness since it uses less raw materials to make a product that does not last very long.
Low-E comes directly after “electronic” in the chemical process and removes some of the energy that could otherwise cause harm if hit or cut.
What do the different terms mean?
Replacing your current glass type with an upgraded version is one way to refresh your home’s aesthetic. Luckily, you don’t need to be a professional designer to tell which kind of glazing makes the most sense for you!
By learning about each term, you will know what types of glazings are available in stores, how to evaluate them, and whether or not they’re right for you. In this article, we’ll go over all three! Read on to learn more about tempered, laminate, and Low-E glass.
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products that we believe will help make your home’s styling journey easier or improve your home style.
What Is Temperware?
Temperware is a specific type of glaze that comes in various shapes and sizes. The glazes are sometimes called enamelled ware because of the resemblance it has to normal ceramic items.
Mostly made from zinc and tin, temper ware can either be painted directly (like regular ceramics) or melted down and pressed into other materials like pottery or glass. Some examples include vases, bowls, dishes, and even candleholders.
Temperware was originally designed as cookware, but today some brands use it for something totally new — protecting windows and doors from frequent weather changes.
What are the differences between laminated, tempered, and low-E glass?
While most people agree that laminates are the best type of safety glass, there is some controversy surrounding which one is better. Some say they are not as safe due to their thicker frame, while others claim they are just as protective.
There is no true “best” material for car windows because it all depends on your preferences and what you will be using the window for. For example, if you like things that look pretty then you would want to choose darker, more aesthetically pleasing materials such as laminates.
If you prefer something lighter weight and thinner, then you would pick a clear or slightly tinted glass pane. This would allow more light to pass through, making the vehicle seem brighter and sharper.
Low-E glasses have an additional coating on the surface to help prevent scratching and breaking. These coatings usually contain titanium or nickel so they are very hard and durable.
What are the pros and cons of each type of glass?
While tempered glass is strong and protective, it can be expensive to buy enough to cover all vehicles. Even if you only need small coverage areas or limited situations where damage has been shown to occur, it is still cost-effective to purchase some for your vehicle.
Laminate safety glasses have become very popular due to their affordability. Many brands will pair them with a neoprene sleeve that fits over the nose bridge area, which helps prevent cracks from breaking out in the windshield.
Regularly replacing these sleeves makes sense since they typically last just around a year before needing to be replaced. It is also helpful to use lighter colours for the lamination layer so it does not show up too much when you put on your helmet.
Low-E coatings were originally designed for aerospace applications, but have now been adapted for automotive usage as well. These thin layers of coating reduce reflective glare, making it easier to see outside.
What should I look for when choosing my glass type?
When deciding what kind of tempered, laminate or Low-E glass you want in your home, make sure it is clear first! Glassy materials usually come with an opaque layer that is designed to decrease light penetration so they feel heavier and more protective. However, to see through them, they must be transparent, which means you have to test out each one by looking at it directly from a natural source like sunlight or using a flashlight!
It is very important to know how much transparency these layers have before buying them as this will determine if they are appropriate for protecting your house in the winter. Some brands say they are “transparent” but really mean “barely translucent” because They conceal part of their coating behind annoying stickers! Make sure you research whether or not these disclaimers apply to your specific model.
Another key feature to check for is how easily the glass can be bent or broken. Most high-quality insulated glazing has thicker, harder panes than thinner ones, making them more durable but also slightly weightier. If you need a lighter window then look for thin, soft pieces of glass.
What does the glass need to be installed with?
When choosing your new piece of tempered or laminate glass, make sure you have it installed correctly! There are two main ways to install glass; pinning and taping.
With pinning, there is a metal frame that holds the glass in place. The glass is attached to this frame using either rivets or sugary glue (we recommend UV safe glues). Then, the frame is put into the opening and pressed down onto the old window’s frame.
For tape installations, there is an adhesive strip that goes over the edge of the old glass and the corresponding area of the new one. Once both pieces are stuck together, pull off the protective coverings so people can use the windows safely!
Both types of installation require matching up the correct size of glass for the proper fit and safety.
What should I avoid when choosing my glass type?
When shopping for new windows or door glass, you will come across several types. These include tempered glass, laminate glass, Low-E glass, insulated glass, safety glass, and vacuum-sealed glass.
Tempered glass is your typical car windshield. This glass is sturdy and doesn’t break as easily, but it can be expensive. If you are looking to reduce costs, then this type of glass is not a good choice.
Laminate glass has a layer of protective material between two sheets of glass. This adds additional cost due to the extra manufacturing process needed to add that layer. Also, most laminates cannot be heated up enough to melt down into something else, so they must be used in their original form.
Low- e glass is an extremely thin sheet of glass that acts like ordinary glass. Because it is thinner than normal, it can be more difficult to find places to use it. It can also be more expensive because of how hard it is to get a large amount of it.
Insulated glass is another term for dual-glazed units. Just like regular window glass, these have a light-transmitting layer and a thermal barrier layer. The challenge with insulated glass is finding one that works well together and is affordable.
Safety glass is much thicker than any other kind of glass. This helps make it more durable, however, it is quite heavy which may not be desirable depending on the situation.
What should I do to fix any damage?
The next step in replacing your vehicle’s glass is deciding what kind of new glass you will need!
It is very important to know what type of tempered, laminate, or Low-E glass you have so that you can determine where to get it and how to install it. Make sure to check out our replacement guide for more information!
At All American Windshields, we are familiar with all three types of windshield glass.
What are the different costs associated with each glass type?
While most people know what laminate and tempered glasses cost, less aware is low-E grades. This type of glass is much thinner than regular laminate or tempered glass, which means it can be more expensive to produce due to how many layers need to be manufactured.
Thicker sheets of glass require thicker coatings that take longer to apply, making it more costly to manufacture. Because this glass does not contain any silver atoms, it cannot effectively block outside light like normal neutral density (ND) laminates do.
This lack of interference makes low-E glass good for use where only a slight reduction in light is needed, such as when reading or working close to computer screens. It also allows slightly better visibility since it lets some light through.
