THE GLASS FIELD GUIDE

Different glass.
Different jobs.

Start with what your window needs to do. Then choose the glass, the safety treatment and the complete system, not just the lowest starting price.

Find glass by what it does

01 / APPEARANCEHow it looks

Clear, tinted or obscure

02 / SAFETYHow it behaves

Toughened or laminated, as specified

03 / THERMALHow it insulates

Coating and glazing configuration

04 / SYSTEMHow it all works

Glass, frame, seals and installation

CHOOSE BY PERFORMANCE

Three priorities.
Seven glass choices.

Start with the job you need your glass to do. These groups can combine in one window; they are not quality tiers. Typical uses do not confirm project suitability or current Fabrication Intelligence stock.

01 / DAYLIGHT, VIEWS & APPEARANCE

Light & privacy

Choose how much you see, how much light enters and how the glass looks. Tint and obscurity do not replace the required safety treatment.

BASE GLASS

Clear float

Clear, flat glass for natural light and unobstructed views. It is also the starting material for many processed glass products.

Typical use: General glazing where suitable, or a base for toughened, laminated and coated glass.
Know the limit: Ordinary annealed float is not safety glass. Clear appearance does not tell you its safety or thermal performance.

COLOUR & SOLAR CONTROL

Tinted

Colour within the glass can reduce glare and incoming solar heat, while changing the amount and colour of daylight.

Typical use: Glare-prone glazing where the daylight and colour trade-offs suit the design.
Know the limit: Tint is not a substitute for insulation or safety treatment. Absorbed heat can require a thermal-stress assessment.

PRIVACY FINISH

Frosted / obscure

An etched surface, pattern or translucent interlayer softens views while still admitting light.

Typical use: Privacy-focused windows and partitions where clear views are less important than daylight.
Know the limit: Obscurity varies by product. It does not automatically provide complete privacy or safety-glass performance.

02 / HEAT TRANSFER & INSULATION

Thermal comfort

Manage heat moving through your window. The right combination depends on climate, orientation, frame and installation, not a coating or pane count alone.

PERFORMANCE COATING

Low-E

A low-emissivity coating reduces heat transfer through the glass. Different coatings balance daylight and solar control differently.

Typical use: Windows where thermal comfort is a priority, with the coating selected for the climate and project.
Know the limit: Low-E does not mean double glazing. Some hard-coat products work in single glazing; soft-coat products typically need protection inside an insulated unit.

ASSEMBLED UNIT

Double glazing / IGU

Two panes separated by a sealed cavity improve insulation compared with ordinary single glazing. IGU means insulated glass unit.

Typical use: Energy-performance-focused windows and doors. The panes, cavity and coating are selected together.
Know the limit: Double glazing alone does not mean Low-E or safety glass. Compare the complete window, including its frame, seals and installation.

03 / STRENGTH & BREAKAGE BEHAVIOUR

Safety & protection

Choose glass for how it handles impact and behaves if broken. The required glass and supporting system must be specified for the location and use.

SAFETY TREATMENT

Toughened

Heat-treated for greater strength and impact resistance. If broken, it fragments into small pieces rather than large sharp shards.

Typical use: Correctly specified windows, doors, shower screens and splashbacks.
Know the limit: It is not unbreakable. A broken monolithic pane can fall out of its opening; toughening alone does not retain the fragments.

BONDED CONSTRUCTION

Laminated

Two or more glass sheets bonded to an interlayer that helps hold fragments together if the glass breaks.

Typical use: Suitable window and door systems where fragment retention matters. Acoustic and security versions need their own specification.
Know the limit: Laminated glass alone does not guarantee fall protection. Post-breakage performance depends on the glass, interlayer and support system.

CHOOSE WITH CARE

Not sure which glass?
Start with the specification.

Ask a qualified professional about your project requirements. Windows and glass remain future categories while we assess specific products.

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Different glass.Different jobs.

Three priorities.Seven glass choices.

Not sure which glass?Start with the specification.

Different glass.
Different jobs.

Three priorities.
Seven glass choices.

Not sure which glass?
Start with the specification.