13 Popular Types of Window Glasses for Your Home

Have you ever stared out a window and wished for a little more? Maybe more privacy, less glare, or a touch of artistic flair? Do you know which glasses are used for windows? Believe it or not, there are tons of different types that have far more to offer than your standard pane.

This glass guide has 13 popular types of window glasses, curated to address your every need and aesthetic. We’ll explore functional wonders that block UV rays, insulate your home, and provide the privacy you need.

How do you choose a window glass for a house?

Choosing the right window glass for your home involves considering several factors to ensure optimal performance, aesthetics, and budget.

Conserve energy

Look for windows with special coatings called Low-E or ones with two panes of glass. These features can really help keep your home comfy all year round, like a built-in insulator!

What’s your local climate?

If it’s cold outside, you want windows that keep the heat inside your home. In hot places, you might want windows that block some of the sun’s heat to keep things cooler.

Protection from the sun

Sunlight can cause your furniture and belongings to fade over time. To prevent this, you can install special window glass with a UV shield. This invisible shield blocks the harmful UV rays that cause fading, helping to keep your furniture and décor looking great for longer.

Privacy concerns

Some windows, like those with frosted or stained glass, can still let light in but make it harder to see into your home, giving you more privacy.

What are your window aesthetics?

The windows of your house are like its eyes, playing a crucial role in its overall appearance. Choose glass designs that complement the style of your home to enhance its aesthetic appeal.

What is the cost of a window glass?

Note: The basic installation charges for all kinds of windows are ₹100 – ₹150 per sq. ft. and for complex installation or installation on higher floors, the cost is ₹200 – ₹300 per sq. ft.

*Please note that these rates are for reference purposes only; exact costs may differ according to the complexity of the installation, size of the home, nature of requirements, finishes/materials chosen and the scope of work.

#1: Types of window glasses for insulation

Double pane

Double-glazed windows have two panes of glass with a small space in between. This space is usually filled with air or a special gas that helps keep the heat in. That’s why they are better at keeping your home warm in winter! But if the seal breaks or the drying agent gets old, moisture can get in and fog up the window.

Triple pane

Triple glazed windows do have three layers of glass separated by air or gas spaces, typically argon or krypton. This additional layer provides superior thermal insulation compared to double glazed windows, making them ideal for colder climates or situations where energy efficiency is a top priority.

Low-emissivity

Low E glass, short for Low Emissivity glass, has a special invisible layer that makes windows and even doors super energy efficient. Originally invented to keep heat inside during cold winters, this glass is now a great way to save money on energy bills no matter where you live!

Also Read: 30 Simple Yet Stunning Outside Colours for Indian Houses

Float glass

Float glass, also known as polished plate glass, serves as the base for a wide range of window pane variations. It can be laminated for increased safety, tempered for strength, or coated with Low-E (low-emissivity) films for improved energy efficiency. This versatility allows you to customise your windows to address specific needs like security, insulation, and even solar control.

Also Read: 16 Different Types of Windows You Can Choose From to Suit Your Style

#2: Types of window glasses for durability and safety

Tempered glass

Regular glass used in houses and buildings often undergoes a special treatment to make it into toughened or tempered glass (a much safer option). This treatment involves heating the glass up and then cooling it down really fast. This makes the glass much tougher, as much as 4 times stronger than regular glass! If it ever breaks, it crumbles into tiny pieces instead of sharp shards, so you’re less likely to get hurt.

Laminated glass

Laminated glass has a plastic interlayer that holds the glass fragments together even when the glass breaks. This minimises the risk of injuries from falling glass shards and provides a barrier against forced entry. The interlayer also dampens sound waves, offering better soundproofing compared to regular glass.

Wired glass

Wired glass, also known as Georgian wired glass, is a type of glass with a wire mesh embedded within its structure. These types of window glasses are known for their ability to withstand high temperatures for extended periods. The wire mesh helps hold the glass fragments in place even if it cracks under heat, preventing flames and smoke from spreading as quickly. This makes it a suitable option for specific areas in buildings with fire safety regulations, like service elevators or fire doors.

#3: Window glass types with privacy and light control

Tinted glass

Tinted windows or solar control glass absorb or reflect a portion of the sun’s rays, helping to keep your home cooler in summer. This means less reliance on air conditioning and potentially lower energy bills. These types of window glasses filter out a significant amount of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and help protect your furniture, carpets, and artwork from fading over time.

Frosted glass

Frosted glass, privacy glass or obscured glass makes it ideal for bathrooms, bedrooms, or areas where you want a balance between natural light and visual privacy. It diffuses direct sunlight, creating a softer and more even light distribution within the room.

Where else can you use frosted glass in your home interiors? Check out our articles on double door designs and toilet doors!

Mirrored glass

Mirrored window film acts like a one-way mirror, but with limitations. During the day, with a bright outside and a darker interior, the film reflects light inwards like a mirror, offering privacy from outside viewers who see their own reflection. However, it’s not a perfect mirror, and some shapes might be discernible. At night, with brighter lights inside, the effect weakens, and some visibility from outside becomes possible, although potentially limited depending on the brightness difference.

Textured glass

Textured glass, also called patterned glass, decorative glass, or obscure glass, lets light in but makes it hard to see clearly because of its bumpy or patterned surface. Usually, the pattern is only on one side of the glass, with the other side being smooth. The type of texture usually decides the amount of privacy these types of window glasses can give.

Also Read: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet to Style Your Windows

#4: Aesthetic and stylish glass for home windows

Stained glass

Stained glass, unlike the previously discussed window solutions, isn’t exactly a type of glass home window, but rather a beautiful and artistic technique for creating decorative windows. The Art Deco movement of the early 20th century embraced stained glass for its geometric patterns and bold colours, and it is often used in residential and commercial buildings. Time for you to deck up yours too?

Reeded/fluted glass

Fluted glass is a type of textured glass for home windows that has stripes that run up and down, kind of like grass stalks. The wider the stripes, the less see-through the glass is. These types of window glasses have a bumpy surface that makes it look like raindrops are on it. That’s why it’s sometimes called a bubble or raindrop glass!

Bonus tips to choose a window glass type

• Noise reduction: If noise reduction is a major concern, consider laminated glass or double-pane windows with thicker glass panes
• UV protection: Low-E coatings typically offer some UV protection, helping to prevent furniture fading. For areas with intense sunlight, consider additional UV protection treatments on the glass
• Regional building codes: Some regions might have specific building codes regarding window glass types and performance requirements. Consult your local building department to ensure your chosen windows comply with regulations

How can Livspace help you?

Loved one of these window glasses? Talk to our designer to get custom designs for your dream home!

• We offer a flat 10-year warranty*
• Our products undergo 146 quality checks
• We have served over 75,000 happy #LivspaceHomes

*For select finishes on modular products. For full scope of warranty, please visit zonemlb.com/in/service

Disclaimer: All contents of the story are specific to the time of publication. Mentions of costs, budget, materials, finishes, and products from the Livspace catalogue can vary with reference to current rates. Talk to our designer for more details on pricing and availability. The Pinterest images used in this blog are solely for illustrative purposes. We do not claim ownership of these images, and all rights belong to their respective owners. If you are the owner of any image and would like it to be removed or credited differently, please contact us.