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The Basics: Glass & Glazing Terms, History, Production
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Glass Types: Flat, Low-E, Smart & Switchable
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Sealed Units: Overview, Durability, Cold Stress Cracks
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Specialty Products: Film, Glass Blocks, Plastic Sheets
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Selecting: Which Benefits, Noise Isolation, Specifying
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Installation: On-Site Protection, Installing, Cleaning
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Issues: Condensation, Visual Distortion, Find Products
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Ken’s Top Pick: If You Have Time To Surf Only One Site
1. Basics – Glass &
Glazing Terms, History, Production
Glass Glossary
Does argon mean they are not here anymore? (Groan…) Common terms used in glass manufacturing and designs are
easily searchable in this glossary at the Glass On Web site.
Glazing Glossary
You will find terms used in the installation and glazing processes in this Technical Glossary excerpt from the Glazing
Manual of the Glass Association of North America.
Glass History
Natural glass has been around since the beginning of time, and its evolution from 5000 BC to modern days is explained
in this easy to follow historical timeline at Glass Online.
Production Of Glass
For simple overviews (even I could understand them) of glass production, the Glass On Web site has articles with some
drawings. Click on “Sources On Net” on the right side as well.
2. Glass
Types: Flat, Low-E, Smart & Switchable
CommonTypes Of Glass
It’s hard to keep up with all the different types of glass available today. Glass On Web helps with these
descriptions, pictures, and links to more info on different types of flat glass.
Low-E & Spectrally Selective
Low-emissivity (Low-e) coatings will control thermal radiation and spectrally selective glazing filters out heat
producing parts of the solar spectrum, as explained in this Efficient Windows Collaborative report.
New Smart & Switchable Glass
Some new smart products have been developed that change their colour or properties to alter privacy, heat and
light transmission and more, as shown here by How Stuff Works.
3. Sealed Units:
Overview, Industry Association, Cold Stress Cracks
Overview Of Gas Fills, Spacers & Coatings
The Efficient Windows Collaborative site offers a good overview, with pictures, of the different types of sealed unit gas
fills, low conductance spacers, and Low-E coatings.
Industry Association
Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) the worlds leading organization on the engineering and manufacturing of
insulating glass was incorporated in 2000 as a result of a merger between the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association
of Canada (IGMAC) and the Sealed Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association (SIGMA).
Stress Cracks & Cold Weather
(PDF FILE)
Very cold weather can increase the risk of stress cracks in all types of glass. TruSeal has a technical bulletin outlining
some causes that may help you troubleshoot this problem.
4. Specialty
Products: Film, Glass Blocks, Plastic Sheets
Window Films
You can get window films that improve energy efficiency, reduce solar gain or block UV, as explained in this Toolbase
report offering a good technical review and links to products.
Glass Blocks
Here is an online technical brochure from Pittsburgh Corning that gives you an overview of glass block types and
designs, including lots of photos of different applications.
Plastic Sheets
(PDF FILE)
For a brief overview of plastic sheet products, manufacturers, properties, sash designs and glazing considerations check
out this technical bulletin from TruSeal Technologies.
5. Selecting:
Which Benefits, Noise Isolation, Specifying
Which Benefits Serve Your Needs?
To help you or your customer select the best glazing this EWC site offers info on options to address energy, comfort,
condensation, light & view, fading and lower HVAC costs.
Noise Isolation Provided By Window Glazing
If you are building in an area where noise is a concern, this brief CMHC research summary on Noise Isolation Provided By
Windows could be very helpful in selecting products.
Specifying Windows & Glazing
The Whole Building Design Guide covers the basic window and glazing concepts and walks you through the process of
specifying appropriate window and glazing systems.
6. Installation: On-Site
Protection, Installing, Cleaning
Construction Site Protection
(PDF FILE)
Tips for site delivery and storage, trade awareness, post installation inspection and protection, construction cleanup, and
long-term maintenance are offered here by GANA.
Installation Demonstrations
RDH Engineering has a new Web site with excellent 4D slide shows of some best practice installations for buildings with
EIFS, curtainwalls, wood siding and more. (See right panel)
Cleaning
(PDF FILE)
Glass can be permanently damaged if not cleaned properly, so it may be worth following this checklist from GANA that
outlines procedures for cleaning architectural glass.
7. Issues: Condensation,
Visual Distortion, Find Products
Condensation
Customers often think there are problems with their glass if condensation occurs. This Canadian Building Digest explains
when temperature, humidity and wind cause condensation.
Visual Distortions
The SAFTI site explains how viewing angle and distances of viewer and objects are critical in quantifying “perceived”
distortion in heat treated glass and sealed insulating units.
Find A Product
If you are looking for manufacturers or suppliers of different glass and glazing products the 4Specs Search Engine for
Construction Products offers these listings by category.
8. Ken’s Top
Pick: The Glass On Web Site
The Glass On Web Site
Not only is this an online meeting place for the glass industry, it has great information that is easy to find. At least check
out the Articles (top) and Glass Manual (left side) sections.
Dittie
For Today: On
Leadership
Leaders are like eagles. They don't flock, you find them one at a time.
