| Insulated
Glass
Insulated Glass or "I.G." units are created by
putting two panes of glass together to create an air tight
space between them. This proves to be very effective as an
insulating process. However, at some point the two panes of
glass need to connect and a spacer inserted. This spacer also
acts as a seal for the I.G. unit and is critical to prevent
"unit fogging" (condensation forming between the
glass). Because this "edge of the glass" has the
weakest insulating performance, it has become the battle ground
for overall insulating performance of the I.G. unit.
Windows America of Portland offers two of
the leaders in "Warm Edge" technology.
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Super
Spacer™ by Edgetech is a NO-metal spacer that
out performs others in durability and insulating value. It
is a blend of silicates and moisture-absorbing desiccant material
manufactured with millions of tiny insulating air pockets
that conduct heat at a rate over 950 times lower than that
of aluminum and 85 times less than stainless steel. The patented
structural foam technology dramatically reduces condensation
and delivers the best warm-edge performance.
To learn more about Super
Spacer, click here.
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Intercept™
Spacer by PPG Industries, Inc. feature a unique, one-piece,
tin-plated or stainless steel, U-channel design that creates
an effective thermal barrier to help reduce conducted heat
loss through the window. Its sealed, one-piece design makes
Intercept® spacers stronger and better at retaining insulating
gas than many conventional designs. This U-channel allows
the spacer to flex with glass movement rather than the seal
having to flex. A desiccant is applied to absorb any moisture
build up inside the unit.
To learn more about Intercept
Spacer, click here.
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Glass Coatings Also known as, "Low-E",
is the clear low-emissivity coating on one side of the glass
that is microscopically - thin and has optically transparent
layers of silver sandwiched between layers of metal oxide
coatings. This specific process is known as "sputter
coating" and is also referred to as softcoat. Low-E filters
the suns energy in the summer and reduces heat loss in the
winter. Low-E lets in visible sunlight while blocking infrared
and reducing ultraviolet solar energy that fades carpet and
furniture. This coating is applied to one of the inside face
of a pane, this protects the coating and allows for worry
free cleaning without damaging the coating.
To learn more about Low-E
coatings click here.
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