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Abrasion A method of shallow, decoration grinding using a diamond wheel. The decorated areas are then left unpolished.
Absorptance The ratio of solar radiation versus total radiation absorbed by a glazing system.
Air infiltration The ratio of air leaking through cracks in building.
Air leakage rating Air infiltration ratio.
Argon An inert, nontoxic gas used to fill insulating units, thus improving thermal performance.
Acid Etching A process, manly used for glass decoration, where the glass surface is treated with hydrofluoric acid. Acid-etched glass has a distinctive, uniformly smooth and satin-like appearance.
Anneal A process used to cool formed glass at controlled temperature rates to prevent thermal stresses.
Annealed Glass During the float glass process, the hot glass is gently cooled in the "annealing lehr", which releases any internal stresses from the glass to enable the cutting and further processing of the glass post manufacture.
Annealing Range Determines the limits of temperature within which glass may be annealed.
Antique glass A general term describing a very old piece of glass, perhaps even several centuries old.
Arrised Edge A basic form of edge working, by removing the sharp edges of cut panes of glass.
Attenuation Reduction of the intesity of sound as a result of energy conversion from sound to motion or heat.
Acoustic Insulation The ratio of external sounds passing through a glazing surface.
Alarm Glass Is a special laminated glass designed and manufactured for security purposes. The interlayer is embedded with a very thin wire and then "sandwiched" between two or more sheets of glass.
Acid Polishing This process is used to remove obscurities from etched surfaces.
Antique mirror Is a decorative silvered glass mostly used for interiors.
Anti-reflective glass Anti-reflective glass is float glass with a specially-designed coating which reflects a very low % of light. It offers maximum transparency and optical clarity, allowing optimum viewing through the glass at all times.
Active coating material Whose properties are affected by external stimulus.
Aspect ratio The ratio of the longer side of a pane to its shorter side.
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B.T.U. British Thermal Unit
Bead or Glazing Bead A strip of wood, metal or other suitable material attached to the rebate to retain the glass.
Bevelling The process by which an edge of glass is finished to a bevel angle.
Blibe A cavity which is larger than seed and filled with gas.
Blister A cavity in glass filled with gas.
Bond Breaker A substance to which the sealant will not stick.
Brilliant Cutting Abrasive and polishing wheels are used on flat glass to obtain a decorative effect.
Butyl A synthetic rubber mostly used for the production of insulating glass units.
Batch A quantity of raw materials (soda lime, silica sand, calcium, oxide, soda and magnesium) properly weighted and mixed to be introduced into the glass furnace where they are melted at 1500
Ball Gatherer A special machine designed to collect a defined quantity of molten glass from the glass furnace.
Bent glass Bent glass is a normal glass, which is curved with a special process.
Bending A process used to produce bent glass in which a plate of glass is placed in a horizontal mould and then slowly heated at approximately 600
Blowpipe An iron or steel pipe for blowing glass.
Bulletproof Glass Designed and produced to resist penetration by bullets.
Body-tinted glass Tranparent float glass with a consistent colour throughout its depth.
Bevell A decorative form of edge working.
Bow A form of distortion in toughened and heat strengthened glass, inherent to the manufacturing process.
Blast-resistance glass The ability of glass to stand blast pressure from an explosion.
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C
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Condensation When water vapour from the air comes into contact with cold surfaces, the vapour condenses on the cooler surface of the glass forming a foggy effect.
Convection A transfer of heat by movement of air.
Came A narrow flat bar of lead, zinc or copper, which holds together the pieces of glass in copperlight glazing or leaded lights.
Caulk A term used to describe a void filled with sealant.
Clear Glass Mostly composed of soda, lime and silica to obtain a very clear type of glass.
Compound A substance formed from two or more elements chemically united in fixed proportions.
Conduction The transmission of heat through, along or from glass to another material in contact with it.
Cullet Recycled glass used in the manufacture of clear float glass.
Cutting A process in which glass is trimmed, also for decorative purposes.
Celsius Temperatures expressed with the Celsius scale are based on a division of one hundred degrees between the freezing point and boiling point of water.
Chemical Strengthening A process in which glass is covered by a chemical solution thus producing a higher mechanical resistance.
Cold End A term which describes operation performed on glass when it is already formed and cooled, such as cutting, grinding, acid etching, engraving, etc.
CNC Stands for computer numerical control.
Coating A thin layer or covering which changes the basic composition of glass.
Cavity The cavity formed by the spacer bar between the two panes of glass in double-glazed units. It is generally filled with air.
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D
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Desiccant A hygroscopic substance used as a drying agent in insulating glass units.
Dewpoint A calculated temperature at which water vapor will condense.
Double glazing Two panes of glass enclosing a hermetically-sealed air space.
Distortion An optical effect obtained on the glazing surface.
Double Glazed Units Two panes of glass enclosing a hermetically-sealed air space.
Design Heat Loss The calculated ratio for heat which is transmitted from a warm interior to a cold exterior.
Dry Glazing A glazing process which does not use chemical compounds, only dry, mechanical fixings.
dB A unit of sound measurement.
Deflection The term applied to the physical displacement of glass from its original position under load.
Dual sealed system A primary seal of polyisobutylene and a secondary seal of polysulphide, polyurethane or silicone ensuring the effective and durable sealing of double-glazed units |
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Edge Cover The distance of the edge of the glass and sight line.
Edge-polished A glass finishing process of polishing edges.
Edgework A process consisting of polishing or abrading-scraping the edge of the glazing surface.
Elastomer A natural or synthetic elastic rubber or rubber-like plastic
Expansion Tape A special material used to protect the edges of glass from rigid contact with non-resilient material.
Etching A process of acid etching one side of float glass to obtain a distinctive, uniformly smooth and satin-like appearance.
Engraved or Engraving The process of cutting a design, etc. on an annealed glass..
Enamelled glass Enamelled glass is tempered or heat-strengthened glass, one face of which is covered, either partially or totally, with mineral pigments. Beside its decorative function, enamelled glass is also a solar ray controller.
Electrochromic glass It works by passing low-voltage electrical charges across a microscopically-thin coating on the glass surface, activating a electrochromic layer which changes color from clear to dark.
Electrically heated glass Electrically heated glass is a laminated glass, incorporating almost invisible electrically-conductive wires.
Edge clearance The distance between the edge of the glass and rebate.
Emissivity Is the relative ability of a surface to absorb and emit energy in the form of radiation.
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Fogging A reaction caused by glass condensation.
Frame The basic rigid supporting structure of a window, building, etc.
Float Glass A term for perfectly flat, clear glass (basic product). The term "float" glass derives from the production method, introduced in the UK by Sir Alastair Pilkington in the late 1950's, by which 90% of today's flat glass is manufactured.
Furnace Cast Transfer hot glass from a furnace into a mold.
Fusing Melting together two or more pieces of glass.
Finishing Final step in glass processing.
Fenestration A term used to describe the placement of a window in a structure.
Fire-resistant glass Special type of glass designed to contains flames and inflammable gas for a longer period.
Fire-resistant glass - heat transmi Contains flames and inflammable gas for a short period of time, but does not prevent the transmission of heat to the other side of the glazing(example: wired glass, reinforced laminated glass).
Fire-resistant glass - fire-insulat Contains flames and inflammable gas for a longer period of time and prevents not only the transmission of flames and smoke but also of heat to the other side of glazing.
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Gas fill A process in which argon or krypton is filled into the cavity of insulating glass to improve thermal performance.
Glazing Glass used as a covering.
Glazing bead A strip of wood, metal or other suitable material attached to the glazing surround to fix the position of glass.
Gaskets Pre-formed glazing materials used for bedding or securing glass and for separating glass from the frame.
Glazing Compound Soft material used for the glazing of glass.
Glass Hard, transparent, translucent, or shiny substance, made by melting a mixture of sand, soda and lime at a high temperature, followed by cooling.
Gravic glass Glass weight.
Glass Staining Staining is caused by a chemical change or degradation of the glass surface.
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H
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Heat gain Solar radiant heat, transmitted or emitted by glazing into a building, contributing to the build-up of heat.
Heat loss Heat transfer from internal spaces to external areas through conduction or convection.
Hydrofluoric Acid A highly corrosive acid which dissolves glass.
HST Heat shock test.
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I
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Insulating glass Insulating glass is a multi-glass combination consisting of two or more panes enclosing a hermetically-sealed air space.
Insulating value See U-value
Insulating Strip A material used to protect the edges of the glass from rigid contact with non-resilient material.
Insulating Unit American terminology for Insulating glass.
Intaglio Glass A decoration which is made by engraving below the glass surface and not cutting away the background.
Interior Glazes Glass used inside buildings.
Intaglio A glass engraving design.
Infiltration Amount of air leakage into a building.
Interlayer The term applied to the material used in laminated glass to bond the glass leaves together.
Inner pane The pane of a double-glazed unit which faces the interior of a building | |
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K
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Krypton A gas used in insulating glass to improve thermal performance of the unit.
Kiln A furnace or oven for fusing, enameling and casting glass.
K-value The former term for U-value on the European continent.
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L
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Light-to-solar-gain ratio The ability of glass to permit sunlight to pass without excessive solar heat gain.
Low-conductance spacers See "Warm edge spacers"
Low-emittance (low-E) coating Microscopically-thin coating of metal oxide, which allows the sun's heat and light to pass trough the glass into the building. At the same time it blocks heat from leaving the room, reducing heat loss considerably.
Low Emissivity (Low-E) Coatings Is a microscopically-thin coating of metal oxide. This special coating allows the sun's heat and light to pass trough the glass into the building. At the same time it blocks heat from leaving the room, reducing heat loss considerably.
Low Emissivity Coatings This special coating allows the sun's heat and light to pass trough the glass into the building. At the same time it blocks heat from leaving the room, reducing heat loss considerably. It can be produced no- or off-line.
Low-e glass Low-emission glass (Low-E) is a clear glass, it has a microscopically-thin coating of metal oxide. This allows the sun's heat and light to pass trough the glass into the building. At the same time it blocks heat from leaving the room, reducing heat loss considerably.
Laminated glass Laminated glass is a combination of two or more glass sheets with one or more interlayers of plastic (PVB) or resin. In case of breakage, the interlayer holds the fragments together and continues to provide resistance to the passage of persons or objects.
Liquid crystal glazing This is laminated glass, with a minimum of two clear or colored sheets of glass and a liquid crystal film, assembled between at least two plastic interlayers. In the OFF state, the liquid crystals are not aligned, which prevents vision, yet allows light to pass through the glass. When is it switched ON, the liquid crystals align, turning the glass transparent and allowing vision through the glass.
Lite of glass A single piece of glass, regardless of thickness.
Lehr The annealing chamber on a float glass manufacturing line where the molten glass is subjected to controlled cooling to obtain annealed glass, free from internal stresses, which can then be cut or worked.
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Mastic Any of a wide variety of waterproof materials, not limited to sealants.
Mirror Silvering A chemical process used in the manufacture of mirrors, whereby a coating of metal, mostly silver, is deposit on the surface of clear or body-tinted glass.
Multiple Glazed Units Glazed unit composed of several glass panes separated by spacers and filled with dehydrated air or gas.
Melt Liquefied glass.
Milk Glass Milk colored glass.
Mold or Mould A hollow container into which molten glass is blown to obtain the desired shape and size.
Mold Blown Glass which was formed by being blown into a mold.
Motif Used to describe the design, perhaps recurrent, on glass.
Mirror Mirrors are commonly made using glass with a smooth, polished surface that forms images through the reflection of rays and light.
Mullion A vertical framing section between glass panes.
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Nickel sulphide inclusion A rare, but naturally occurring impurity present in all glass that can, in certain circumstances, lead to spontaneous breakage of thermally toughened glass in service.
Non-insulating glass Fire resisting glass, providing the criteria of E (integrity) only.
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Obscure Glass Any type of glass with uneven surfaces which offers light diffusion and privacy.
On-line coatings The process in which coatings are directly applied to the glass during production while the glass is still hot in the annealing lehr.
Off-line coatings In this process a coating is applied under a vacuum to finished cold glass.
Outer pane The pane of double-glazed unit which faces the exterior of a building.
Opacified Glass which has been fully enamelled or painted on one side to make it non-transparent.
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Pane A lite/sheet of glass.
Plate Glass Used in the past to produce higher quality glass, this technology was completely outperformed by the float glass process.
Peg A metal tool to hold glass in a frame.
Patterned glass Patterned glass presents uneven surfaces with different impressed patterns.
Photovoltaic glass A special glass with integrated solar cells, used to convert solar energy into electricity.
Passive coating materials The properties of passive coating materials do not change with external stimuli.
Patent glazing A non-load bearing, drained and ventilated framing system, used predominantly in overhead glazing.
PVB The plastic interlayer incorporated into laminated glass in order to ensure good adhesion and the mechanical and safety breakage characteristic of the glass.
Primary seal A butyl-based sealant applied to the edges of the space bar during assembly into double-glazed units, to ensure a watertight and airtight seal around the perimeter of the unit.
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R
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R-value See U-value.
Rolled Glass This describes glass is made through a rolling process, whereby the semi-molten glass is squeezed between metal rollers to produce a ribbon with pre-defined thicknesses and patterned surfaces. This process is used for patterned figure and cast glass production.
Radiation The process by which heat is emitted from a body through open space, like sunlight.
Rake The trimming of a first compound application used to seal glass, so as to facilitate the addition of a second sealant.
Rebate The section of the frame surround which forms an angle into which the glass is placed and held.
Reflective Glass This is an ordinary float glass with a metallic coating to reduce solar heat. This produces a mirror effect, and is mainly used in building fa
Resin laminate Two or more sheets of glass assembled with one or more resin interlayers |
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Shading coefficient (SC) The solar factor of a glass relative to that of 3mm clear float glass (0,87) and is used as a performance comparison. The lower the shading coefficient number, the lower the amount of solar heat transmitted.
Short-wave infrared radiation Invisible radiation emitted by the sun and other hot objects.
Single-strength glass A term used to describe glass with a defined thickness (2.16-2.57 mm).
Solar control coatings A microscopically-thin coating that absorbs or reflects solar energy.
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) A numerical expression between 0 and 1 expressing the performance of glass in transferring heat.
Solar radiation The total energy radiating from the sun.
Spectrally selective glazing A special coated glass which is transparent to some energy wavelengths and reflective to others.
Single glazing Window or door with a single glass lite.
Safety Glass Glass which must have passed an impact test and either must not break or must break safely.
Sandblasting A special glass treatment in which sand is sprayed at high velocities over the surface of the glass.
Sealant A flexible material for sealing.
Sealed Double Glazed Unit A combination consisting of two glass panes enclosing a hermetically-sealed air space.
Sealed Multiple Glazing Unit A combination consisting of several glass panes enclosing a hermetically-sealed air spaces.
Sealer A substance applied to glass and frame surfaces that guarantees consistent adhesion.
Sheet Glass A lite of glass.
Silicone A polymeric organic compound offering excellent resistance to cold, heat and water.
Surface Coatings A thin layer or covering which changes the basic composition of glass.
Solar Heat Gain The amount of heat that a structure gains through the glazing surface.
Sand-blasted glass This type of glass is produced by spraying sand at high velocities over the surface of the glass.
Sputtering Is a method better known as "vacuuming" to apply coating on the glass.
Smart glazing A concept in which the main idea is to minimize the energy consumption of fully glazed buildings.
Structural sealant glazing An external glazing system where the glass is bonded to a carrier frame without mechanical means.
Screen printed glass Screen printed glass is tempered or heat-strengthened glass, one face of which is covered, either partially or totally, with mineral pigments.
Secondary seal A sealant applied to the edges of double-glazed units after the primary seal, to provide effective and durable adhesion between the glass components and spacer bar.
Sight size The actual size of the opening that admits daylight.
Snow load An imposed load exerted onto a structure by formation of snow.
Space bar Generally an aluminum bar along all edges of a double-glazed unit, filled with desiccant, which separates the twoo panes of glass and creates a cavity.
Spall Small fragments of glass that are ejected from the surface of a laminated glass sheet when the opposite surface is impacted.
Self cleaning glass This type of glass is covered by a special coating which literally cleans itself |
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Tempered glass Tempered (toughened) glass is two or more times stronger than annealed glass. When broken, it shatters into many small fragments, thus preventing major injuries.
Thermal break A type of metal frame that incorporates an insolating material of low thermal conductivity located between the inner and outer parts of the frame in order to reduce the rate of heat loss.
Thermal mass A special mass in a structure which is used to absorb solar heat during the day and then release the heat in the evening.
Transmittance Ratio of light or heat that can pass through the glazing surface.
Triple glazing Three panes of glass enclosing two hermetically-sealed air spaces.
Thermal expansion Change of material size as a result of temperature change.
Toughened Glass Toughened glass is two or more times stronger than annealed glass. When broken, it shatters into many small fragments which prevent major injuries.
Transparent Clear, permitting vision.
Translucent Allowing light to pass through diffusely.
Thermal shock When glass is exposed to high temperatures, it absorbs heat and expands. At the same time, its edges remain cooler, causing thermal stress.
Thermally insulting glazing Double-glazed units provide thermal insulation.
Transom A horizontal framing bar between glass panes.
Tinted glass See "Body tinted glass"
Tight size The actual size of an opening into which glass is to be glazed and is measured from the rebate platform.
Tinted interlayer A colored plastic or resin sheet between two or more panes of glass |
U
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U-factor (U-value) This is a measure of the rate of heat loss of a building component. It is expressed as watts per square metre, per degre Kelvin, W/m2K.
UV transmittance Determines the percentage of solar energy in the form of ultra-violet radiation transmitted by glazing.
UDL Stands for uniformly distributed load.
U-value A measure of the rate of heat loss of a building component.
V
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Visible light - spectrum Part of the electromagnetic spectrum, that produces light, to which the human eye is sensitive.
Visible transmittance (VT) The percentage or fraction of light that is transmitted through the glazing surface.
Vehicle A waste liquid.
Vaseline A yellow-green glass colored with uranium oxide.
Venetian Glass A thin and fragile glass produced on the island Murano in Italy.
Vision Area Areas of a fa
Vertical glazing Glazing which is either true vertical, or within 15
W
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Weatherstrip A piece of material used on windows or doors to reduce leaks and prevent rain and wind from entering the structure.
Weathertight Hermetically-sealed to prevent entry of water and air into the structure.
Weathering The action of water on exposed materials - glass.
Wheel Engraving A process by which the glass surface is decorated using grinding wheels.
Wind Pressure The amount of pressure produced by wind velocity on the glazing surface.
Warm edge spacers Insulating spacers used to seal Insulating glass. Since they do not contain aluminium, they are less conductive, thereby improving the U-value of the window, and reducing condensation.
Waterjet cutting technology This system consists of high pressure (60.000 psi) water, mixed with abrasives, that passes through a gauge orifice at three times the speed of sound. Such pressure produces a pure working power able to cut any shape of glass or other materials
Wind load The pressure acting on an external surface of a building caused by the direct action of the wind.
Wired glass A product in which a wire mesh has been inserted during production. It has an impact resistance similar to that of normal glass, but in case of breakage, the mesh retains the pieces of glass.
X
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X-Ray Protective Glass An amber-colored glass containing 70% lead oxide, which significantly reduces ionizing radiation (X and Y).
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Z
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Zaffer or Zaffre An impure oxide used to color glass and porcelain.
Zanfirico A method of shaping glass by heating canes of glass and blowing them through a pipe so as to produce special decorative effects.
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