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Float glass is produced by melting sand, soda-ash, limestone and dolomite in a furnace mixed with recycled glass and floating it onto a large bed of molten tin. This mixture slowly solidifies to a thickness controlled by the speed it is drawn over the molten tin. It is then annealed - control cooled - to ensure flatness. As both surfaces are fire finished, they need no polishing or grinding.
Clear float glass is transparent and colourless, offering high visible light transmittance. It therefore offers little resistance to solar heat gain and glare in buildings.
Toned float glass is produced by adding a colourant, usually powdered oxides. It is primarily designed to reduce solar heat gain and glare, which from an occupant's point of view increases the comfort level and reduces cooling costs.
Low E glass is a low reflective and highly transparent glass. It is specifically designed to reduce heat transfer in both warmer and cooler climates and thus reduce energy costs.
Laminated glass is safety glass that has been manufactured by adhering two or more sheets of glass with a flexible interlayer. This interlayer, usually 0.38mm thick and manufactured from poly vinyl butyryl (PVB), prevents the glass from disintegrating when broken.
Toughened glass is produced by passing cut-to-size annealed float glass through a heat furnace. This process introduces stress into the glass and produces a glass 4-5 times stronger than ordinary float glass. Toughened glass can still be broken, however if this does happen it shatters into small fragments, minimising the risk of injury caused by glass splinters.
Insulating glass units (also referred to as double glazed units) consist of two panes of glass separated by a spacer around the edges and sealed to the perimeter in factory controlled conditions. The spacer contains a desiccant which eliminates moisture vapour in the cavity. Insulating glass units are available in many glass combinations.
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