THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE PERFECT GLASS FOR YOUR PROJECT

By: Octavio Vélez

In the region where I live, temperatures frequently reach 40 °C. In an area with such high heat peaks, you are forced to think about cooling solutions, and when air conditioners fail, the fault is rarely theirs alone.

A few months ago we experienced a critical problem in the office: the glass facade received direct sun and, in just two hours, the accumulated heat raised the interior temperature to more than 65 °C, creating a real “heat pocket”.

Seeing how direct sun increased the interior temperature showed us the tremendous amount of heat that common glass can retain and transmit. No minisplit can withstand that “heat pocket”. The decision was to install insulated glass (double glazing) with a Low Emissivity (Low-E) layer, which was the key. Being airtight, it not only insulates, but the Low-E coating acts as an invisible filter that rejects solar heat, keeping the interior cool and protecting the HVAC equipment.

If you or your team are facing construction or renovation projects, understanding the differences between the types of glass is essential to avoid these costly mistakes. Let me share a simple summary of the three main options:

Tempered Glass: The Strongest Glass

Tempered glass is the result of a rapid heating and cooling process that makes it up to five times stronger than normal glass. It is very resistant to impacts and direct heat, and in case of breakage, it disintegrates into small non-sharp fragments, minimizing the risk of cuts.

Common uses:

Home: Bathroom doors and screens (for its resistance to temperature changes and safety).
Architecture: Railings, handrails, and large facades where structural strength and safety are required.

Laminated Glass: Burglary and Safety Glass

Laminated glass is made by joining two or more sheets of glass with one or several intermediate layers of a special plastic film. It is excellent for safety because when it breaks, the plastic layer keeps the fragments attached, preventing them from falling. This makes intrusion difficult, protects against natural disasters, and is also capable of absorbing UV rays.

Common uses:

Roofs and skylights: Prevents broken glass from falling on people.
Windows and doors: Ideal when security and anti-theft protection are priorities.
Railings: Ensures that the broken panel does not crumble.

Insulated Glass (Double Glazing): Thermal Insulating Glass

This is the solution we applied in my office. Insulated glass is composed of two glasses separated by a metal spacer that creates an airtight air or gas chamber. It is the champion in thermal and acoustic insulation, as the chamber acts as a barrier that drastically reduces heat transfer in summer and cold in winter, thus reducing energy expenditure on air conditioning. In addition, this double barrier is very effective in muffling outdoor noise, such as vehicular traffic or urban noise.

Low-E Glass

By adding a Low Emissivity (Low-E) layer, insulation is maximized, as this layer filters the solar radiation that causes heating, also protecting your furniture from fading due to UV rays.

My Practical Recommendation

Each type of glass has a specific purpose. If your priority is:

Structural safety and aesthetics: Choose tempered (railings, screens).
Anti-theft security and total protection: Choose laminated (large windows and roofs).
Thermal comfort and energy savings: Choose insulated, and always with a Low-E layer if you have direct sun!

You don't have to choose just one. The great advantage of architectural glass is that you can combine them. For example, a very popular configuration is to use an insulated glass where the outer layer is tempered and the inner layer is laminated.

Now that you know the importance of choosing correctly, quote the insulated configuration with Low-E for your project and start noticing the difference!

Reach out to Inova Glass today! We can answer your questions and help you configure the perfect glass that guarantees comfort, safety, and energy savings.