More Glass Options
Special coating
Most Low-E coated glass is produced by applying a special coating to sheets of finished glass in a process called sputter coating. These “soft coat” products have some limitations. The coating can be scratched or damaged and can potentially deteriorate with exposure to air, giving the product limited shelf life. Much of the fabrication process, including bending and tempering, must often be done before coating the glass. Edge deletion is usually recommended for soft coat insulating glass units.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is an excellent choice for windows in parts of the home where glass is more likely to be at risk of breaking. Tempered glass has been heat-strengthened, making it about four times stronger than untreated glass. If it breaks, the glass is designed to crumble instead of shattering into shards.
The following must be constructed with tempered glass:
- Windows located near walking paths
- Skylights lower than 12 feet from the floor and/or less than 16 square feet
- Sidelights—windows built alongside entry doors
