Question 1

Is there really glass that switches from clear to frosted with a button?

Accepted Answer

Yes, switchable privacy glass is real technology that can change from clear to frosted instantly with the flip of a switch or push of a button.

This technology is called smart glass or electrochromic glass, and it works through a thin film layer between two pieces of glass that responds to electrical current. When electricity is applied, the glass becomes clear, and when the power is turned off, it becomes opaque or frosted. Some versions work in reverse, staying clear without power and becomin

Question 2

What's the difference between soft-coat and hard-coat Low-E?

Accepted Answer

Soft-coat Low-E offers superior energy performance but requires more careful handling, while hard-coat Low-E is more durable but less energy efficient.

The main difference lies in how the Low-E coating is applied to the glass. Soft-coat Low-E (also called sputter-coated) is applied in a vacuum chamber using magnetron sputtering, creating an extremely thin metallic layer that's applied after the glass is manufactured. This process allows for multiple layers and precise control, resulting in bett

Question 3

Can I get glass that blocks UV rays without making everything look dark?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can get UV-blocking glass that maintains clear visibility and natural light. Modern Low-E (low-emissivity) coatings block up to 99% of harmful UV rays while allowing visible light to pass through normally.

Low-E coatings are the key technology that makes this possible. These microscopically thin metallic coatings are applied to window glass and work like a selective filter - they block ultraviolet and infrared radiation while letting visible light through. The coating is virtually invi

Question 4

What's low-iron glass and why would I pay extra for it?

Accepted Answer

Low-iron glass is ultra-clear glass with reduced iron content that eliminates the greenish tint found in standard glass. Regular glass contains iron oxide impurities that create a noticeable green edge when you look through multiple panes or at the glass edge directly.

Standard window glass has about 0.1% iron content, which gives it that characteristic green tint you can see when looking at a thick piece of glass from the side. Low-iron glass (also called ultra-clear or crystal clear glass) re

Question 5

Birds keep hitting my living room window - is there special glass to prevent that?

Accepted Answer

Bird-safe glass and window films can significantly reduce bird strikes by making windows more visible to birds. There are several effective solutions available for your living room window.

Bird-safe glass options include fritted glass with patterns that birds can see, and UV-reflective glass that appears solid to birds while remaining clear to humans. These specialty glazing options work because birds see UV light differently than humans do. However, retrofitting existing windows with bird-safe

Question 6

Are grilles between the glass better than snap-in grilles?

Accepted Answer

Yes, grilles between the glass (also called "between-the-glass" or BTG grilles) are generally superior to snap-in grilles for both performance and maintenance reasons.

Between-the-glass grilles are sealed inside the window unit, which means they're completely protected from weather, dirt, and damage. You'll never need to clean around individual grille bars, and they can't be bent, broken, or knocked out of place. This makes window cleaning much faster and easier - just a simple wipe of the smoo

Question 7

Do I need security glass on my ground floor windows?

Accepted Answer

Security glass isn't required by building code for ground floor windows in Ottawa, but it can be a smart investment for vulnerable locations and high-risk properties. Most homeowners choose standard tempered or laminated glass and focus on other security measures first.

Standard residential windows typically use tempered glass, which is stronger than regular glass but will shatter completely when broken. For enhanced security, laminated glass is the better choice - it consists of two glass pane

Question 8

Can I just replace the glass instead of the whole window?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, replacing just the glass is possible but not always the best choice. While you can replace individual glass panes in many window types, the cost savings are often minimal compared to full window replacement, especially when you factor in labor and potential complications.

Glass-only replacement works well when you have newer window frames in good condition and just need to fix a broken pane or upgrade to better glass. This is common with single-pane windows where you want to upgr

Glass & Glazing