Window Glass: What Type You Need

Trying to choose between types of window glass can feel impossible. Do you need double-paned or triple-paned? Should you have a gas fill between the panes of glass or just use air? How shatterproof does your window glass need to be?

We laid out all your options for home window glass over at our guide. Now, let’s walk through how to make your decision in this guide to types of window glass.

How to Choose Between Types of Window Glass

When deciding which window glass is best for your new home windows, it’s important to ask the following:

• How important are energy efficiency and long-term savings to you?
• Do you need weather-resistant window glass?
• Do you need noise reduction window glass?
• Is safety and privacy a concern for your home windows?

Your local window replacement contractor will be able to walk you through your window glass options and choose the one that matches your needs and budget. But there are a few decisions you can likely make on your own.

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New windows are a huge investment, and it will most likely be the only time you need to make this replacement! So it is important to consider every type of material – from frames to glass. Answer a few questions and our Glass Types Tool will help narrow down your options!

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Take the Glass Types Quiz at the Top of This Page

If you want our personal recommendation, scroll to the top of the page and take our quiz. This will help you narrow in on what’s most important to you with types of glass: privacy, insulation, or safety. You can also tell us where it’s going to be installed so we can help you decide if it’s in an area where safety glass will be required. Then, tell us about the climate where you live. This will help us recommend double- or triple-paned glass as well as hurricane or impact glass. Finally, tell us how much direct sunlight you tend to see in the area where you’re getting new glass so we know whether or not you need low-E glass.

Want to read more about each option? Then keep scrolling down.

Step One: Types of Glazing

The first decision you need to make is between single-, double-, and triple-paned windows. Here’s how to choose:

• Single-paned windows are only suitable for sheds, garages, and other out-buildings. They do not provide enough protection from outside temperatures to work well in a home.
• Double-paned windows are suitable for many areas of the country, including areas with warmer summers. This is the most popular option for homeowners. Double-pane windows cost between $550 and $1,100.
• Triple-paned windows are a good choice for those in extreme climates, especially those that see very low temperatures in the winter. Homeowners in less extreme climates likely won’t see the same increase in efficiency by choosing triple-pane windows that those in the coldest temperature zones will. Triple-paned windows cost between $613 and $1,307.

You can see how the difference in price changes with window type, size, and more by visiting our guide to energy-efficient windows cost. You can also explore more about window glazing.

One last note on window glazing: By holding the air or gas inside between the panes, double-paned and triple-paned glass helps with reduction of heat transfer, but it also helps with reduction of noise coming through the window. So even if you live in a more moderate climate, you might choose triple-paned windows for their excellent ability to dampen sound.

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Step Two: Types of Gas Fill

Regardless of whether you choose double-paned or triple-paned windows, you will need to decide what’s going to go between each pane of glass.

Homeowners on a tighter budget may choose to simply have air between each pane. This is the leas expensive option, but it is also the least insulating.

Most homeowners choose to put argon gas between each pane because it is far more insulating than air while also being much cheaper than high-end krypton or xenon.

Krypton and xenon are both more expensive, and they don’t have the same popularity due to their cost. These gasses are only suitable for the most extreme climates. Some homeowners choose to put them between triple-paned windows for the maximum energy efficiency.

Unless you live in a similarly extreme climate, you will likely end up with argon gas between the panes.

You can learn more about insulated glass by visiting our guide.

Step Three: When to Choose Which Types of Safety Glass

Where the glass is going and what kind of major weather events your area sees will have the biggest impact on the type of glass you choose. Let’s look at all your options:

1. Homeowners replacing glass in a shed or other outbuilding can choose annealed glass, also called float glass. It is the least expensive option and also provides excellent clarity. However, it is not suitable for areas where storms like hurricanes are common because it breaks into sharp, large shards. This type of glass is found in old single-paned windows, and is not generally considered as safe or durable as modern glass.
2. Homeowners on a budget may want to choose heat-strengthened glass. This glass is about twice as strong as annealed glass, but it can still break into large shards. This is the cheapest option to consider for home windows, and can also be a good choice for outbuildings. However, you should not choose this glass if you live in an area prone to major storms, like hurricanes.
3. Many homeowners choose to install tempered glass. Not only is it about five times as strong as annealed glass, but when it’s broken, it forms much smaller, less sharp pieces. This type of glass is often recommended for shower doors as well as home windows.
4. Homeowners who see storms regularly, have safety concerns, or just want a stronger window should choose laminated glass. With this glass type, there is a flexible layer between panes of glass that helps hold the window together even when it is struck and broken.
5. Finally, homeowners who are in areas that see major hurricanes should choose hurricane glass. This is a form of laminated glass, but it has a stronger, more flexible interlayer that can hold the glass pieces even after severe impacts. Many window manufacturers also refer to this as impact glass, though some companies actually have distinct product lines for impact glass vs hurricane glass.

One final note here: if your window glass is going in or near a shower or tub, in or near a door, beside a staircase, in an especially large window, or in a window less than 18 inches from the ground, you are required to have tempered glass at a minimum.

If you want to learn more about safety glass, you can explore our guide.

Step Four: How to Decide if You Need Low-E Glass

Deciding whether to use low-emissivity (low-E) glass involves considering several factors related to climate, energy efficiency, and overall costs. Here’s what to consider:

Climate Considerations

In cold climates, low-E glass helps keep heat inside the home, reducing heating costs. It reflects interior heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the windows.

In hot climates, low-E glass reflects solar heat away from the house, helping to keep indoor spaces cooler and reducing the reliance on air conditioning.

Energy Efficiency Goals

Low-E glass is highly effective in improving the insulation of a home, which can lead to significant savings on heating and cooling bills. Low-E glass can also significantly improve the comfort of your home by maintaining consistent indoor temperatures.

Additionally, if you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint, low-E glass is a great option as it decreases the amount of energy used for temperature control inside your home.

Furniture and Fabric Protection

If the room the new glass is going in sees a lot of direct sunlight, then you should probably invest in low-E glass. UV rays can fade furniture, flooring, or curtains. Low-E glass reduces the amount of UV and infrared light that enters the home.

Building Codes

Some regions have building codes that encourage or even require the use of energy-efficient materials like low-E glass. Additionally, there may be tax incentives or rebates available for installing energy-efficient windows.

Resale Value

Installing low-E glass can increase the marketability and potential resale value of a home, as energy efficiency is a significant selling point for many modern buyers.

Available in hard or soft coatings, you can explore our guide to low-E glass to read more about which specific option may be right for you. 

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Step Five: Glass for Privacy and Appearance

Finally, when both appearance and privacy matter to you with your new windows, these options for window glass types can help you have the best of both worlds.

Tinted Glass

Coated or tinted glass is created with the addition of metal oxides. This can create an aesthetically pleasing look that tints the view out the window into shades of bronze, green, blue, or gray. Other colors might be available as a custom tint. It can add some privacy to the home. If  the tint is dark enough, it can create some visual appeal for those looking at the home from a distance. As a bonus, some tints double as protection against heat transfer.

Obscured Glass

Also known as patterned glass, this type of glass has a unique shape on one side. This distorts the view and makes it more difficult for those outside the home to see what’s on the other side. Those looking out, however, will see what appears to be a completely normal window. Often called “translucent” glass, the flow of light through the distorted glass creates a delightful glow.

Etched Glass

This type of window glass is  exactly what it sounds like: after the window is manufactured, small cuts are etched throughout the glass, creating visual interest and a frosted coat that can enhance privacy. This can be done in the factory, or you can have your windows etched after they are manufactured for a more custom creation.

Stained Glass

Once a staple of soaring churches, stained glass windows were a novelty in the residential home. They were often used as accent pieces. Today, stained glass windows are becoming more common as homeowners look for ways to express themselves through their home décor and design. Stained glass is also great for privacy, as it is usually tough to see through, tends to be rather sturdy thanks to all the woven metal within, but might be quite difficult to repair if broken.

Mirrored Glass

While it’s not the most common choice for homes, mirrored glass can provide wonderful security and privacy. Mirrored glass does have a slight tint that you can notice from the inside, so the view won’t be as crisp as that of clear glass. On the other hand, the energy efficiency gets a boost, as mirrored glass reflects some sunlight away from the home. At night, when the lights are on and the interior is brighter than the exterior, the mirrored effect vanishes – so, you will still need curtains or blinds for privacy.

If you want to learn more about types of privacy glass, you can visit our guide.

Unique Window Glass Types

There was a time when stained glass windows made their way from churches to the modern home, usually as accent pieces. Today, that unique artistic expression has morphed into a wide variety of other window types that add unique style to your abode.

LED Glass Panels

If you are looking to add a little style to your home, LED glass panels are like a newer version of stained glass windows. They can create true works of art with a variety of colors and designs. These glass panels can be inserted into a typical space for a window or used as curtain glass.

Curtain Glass

This is glass that creates a wall in your home, one that is especially popular in areas with majestic natural views. Curtain glass, however, can deal a wicked blow to your utility bills. To make the curtain glass more energy-efficient, consider using thermally broken aluminum framing, thermal spacers between the glass panes, and low-E glass. It is also a good idea to consider south-facing window walls for those homes that need much more heating during the winter, and to look into awning windows and overhangs to lower the indoor temperatures in the summer.

Smart Glass

Smart glass is becoming more popular as homeowners learn the magical things it can do. This might include privacy glass that turns translucent as the sunlight hits it, solar glass that allows the low-E quality can be turned on or off, and even windows that go opaque in an instant, with the touch of a button. Some smart windows can adjust their own tint depending upon the temperature and even how many people are in the room at any given time.

Keep in mind that while this is a rather comprehensive list, there are constantly emerging trends and new ideas for windows and glass that are popping up in homes all over the world. You can explore our guide to window glass alternatives for more styles.

The Final Word on Types of Window Glass

The types of window glass that are right for you will ultimately depend on your home, your budget, your climate, and where in your home the glass is being installed.

However, double-paned glass with argon gas and a low-E coating is widely recommended, so you may want to start your glass buying journey there and then see where you want to add efficiency.

You should plan to get quotes from three to four contractors to find the best price on a variety of types of window glass. Browse our contractor directory to see pros in your area, or click below to have Modernize match you with up to four pros.

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