Replacement glass
Broken glass usually can be repaired without having to replace your entire window. Most window sashes have glazing stops that allow access access to remove the damaged glass. After installing the replacement glass in the window sash, the original glazing stops can be reinstalled. Only the glass is replaced unless there are other issues with the window, allowing for same day service.
Thermal Insulated glass
A seal failure around a thermal insulated unit allows moisture and mineral deposits to get in between the layers of glass, causing your window to look dirty or foggy. Most windows made today have a re-glazable sash. This means the old foggy glass can be taken out of the window sash and replaced with a new insulated glass unit, resulting in a clean new look for you.
Call Lone Star Glass and Aluminum for a free in-home estimate. We will measure and inspect the glass and give you an free estimate on replacement. Typically, it will take 4 to 5 days to make the new insulated glass unit. If the size is one of our standard units we can schedule next day installation.
Thermal Insulated Glass Advantages
Insulated Glass units help maintain a consistent temperature in the home. In the summer, IG units reduce heat gain and in the winter they reduce heat loss. As a result, your home’s air conditioning and heating system should run less, saving energy and money. IG units generally cost three times more than single pane glass windows. However, that additional cost can be recovered over the course of a few short years through lower energy bills. Plus, most IG units qualify for federal income tax credits. See your tax advisor.
There are two other advantages to IG units in addition to the energy savings. IG units reduce the tendency of condensation to form on the room side of the glass, and they reduce the level of noise pollution from the outside.
How Thermal Insulated Glass Units are Manufactured
An IG unit has two pieces of glass and an insulating spacer. A spacer is a metal tube around the perimeter of the IG unit. The spacer separates the two pieces of glass. Spacers are usually 3/16″ and larger. A spacer is filled with a moisture absorbing material called a desiccant (like the little bags you find in a shoebox with brand new shoes).
The perimeter of the entire unit is sealed with a high grade sealant. As a result, IG units should never have condensation on the inside of the unit. Some manufacturers of IG units add argon or krypton gas to the airspace between the two windows to further add insulating attributes. If an IG unit has developed condensation, Lone Star Glass and Aluminum can replace the unit, saving you the cost of a totally new window frame and the repairs to install a complete window unit.
There are two types of IG units commonly manufactured: Single Seal Units and Dual Seal Units. The difference between the two is the presence of a single- or double-seal between the spacer and the glass.
Single-sealed units can use several types of sealants: hot melt butyl, polysulfide, silicone, or urethane.
Dual-sealed units can use PIB tape for the primary seal and a secondary seal of hot melt butyl
Decorative Thermal Insulated Units.
The two glass pieces in an IG unit do not need to be the same type of glass. Patterned or decorative glass can be used as one piece, but the pattern should face the outside. If one of the pieces is reflective or tinted glass, it must face the outside.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting an IG unit that is appropriate for your home, look for either the U-value or the R-value of the IG unit, depending upon the manufacturer.
The U-value is a measure of the heat gain or loss through the glass due to the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. The lower the U-value, the less heat is transmitted through the glass.
The R-value measures the overall resistance to heat transfer. The higher the R-Value, the less heat is transmitted through the glass. For example, a material with an R value of 19 is a much better insulator than one with an R value of 6.