Windows in the house are used for natural ventilation, lighting and insolation - irradiation of surfaces with ultraviolet radiation. They are a building envelope and must comply with sound insulation and heat engineering standards.
Types of glasses
Glass is a standard material used in the window unit to fill the opening. Window panes are presented in many variations, for example:
- hardened - having increased resistance to shock and temperature extremes;
- reinforced - safe and heat resistant;
- reflective (reflex) - used to protect from the sun;
- painted.
You can also find mirrored translucent options that create a cozy cool in the house, due to the reflection of sunlight. Such glass windows while using the air conditioner can significantly save energy.
Film coatings, which give certain decorative and functional characteristics, are widely used. They are able to provide one-way visibility, protection from the sun, tinting, noise isolation, fire resistance, energy saving, impact resistance. Spraying or specialized film are used for tinting.
To implement a design project and solve certain problems, triplex glass is used, design glass (frosted, sandblasted and others), stained glass, decorative glass.
Design selection
Thanks to the design of modern windows, an extensive selection of ways to fill the light opening appears, which allows you to find an individual solution for each case. It is necessary to take into account the functions assigned to the window. For example, there is no need for a complex design if there are no high requirements for sound and heat insulation. If a single-door version with selective glasses and a double-glazed window meets the regulatory requirements for this region, then this design scheme will suit the consumer.
There is triple, double and single glazing. The first two options are divided into windows with separate and connected bindings, and the glazing used can be ordinary or in the form of a double-glazed window.
Window panes can be held both by blank windows and by the frame. Boxes used instead of sashes are installed as an insulated element.
Double-glazed windows
Double-glazed windows consist of two or more glasses, which have a dense contour connection and are separated by interlayers of inert gas or air. Conventional or selective window panes can be used to reduce heat loss. When using special coatings, it is possible to obtain a given spectrum of sunlight entering the premises. By changing the composition of the gas filling, the inter-glass distance, the types of material and the film coating, you can choose the option with the given functions.
The installation of a glazing system is possible in window units made of any materials, including traditional wood. There are special programs that simplify the process of choosing the right solution.
Window glass: dimensions and compliance
The required level of lighting is calculated, depending on the purpose of the rooms, by determining the exact ratio of floor size and window openings. Also, the proportions and dimensions of the windows must comply with decorative and building requirements. It is worth paying attention to the fact that in terms of hygiene standards, an increase in lighting improves the living environment, but at the same time contributes to high costs during construction and heating.
Window Glass Thickness
According to GOST, double-glazed windows in thickness should be from 16 to 46 mm. Thermophysical properties increase with increasing glass thickness. But the increase in performance occurs with attenuation - from a specific moment, the increase in thermal insulation decreases with each additional cm of the double-glazed window. In this case, the use of energy-saving options from glasses with a special low-emission surface gives a good effect. The sound insulation properties of the thickness does not have a significant effect.
When filling the inter-glass space with gases having an increased density, in comparison with ordinary air, heat losses that occur due to convection are reduced. Dynamic viscosity, density and conductivity have a direct effect on the thermal conductivity of the space between the glasses.
It is also worth noting that if the glass is damaged, replacing the window panes will not be a way out of the situation, it will have to be completely changed. But thanks to the design of modern PVC windows, it becomes much easier to make the necessary changes. The costs of repairs are summed up from the cost of production of a double-glazed window and installation works.