Glass Wizard

Did you know that glass that has been enriched with lime represents over 90 percent of the glass that’s in use today? Lime, magnesium oxide, and aluminum oxide are all added to prevent the glass from becoming water-soluble and to increase its chemical structure.

Did you know that a windshield provides 30% of a car's strength structurally? A small chip in your windshield can turn into a crack at any moment, including when you're on the road, so the longer you leave the chip alone, the more potential it has to get worse.

If you own a home that you use only a few weeks every year, it would make a lot of sense to have it boarded up during the off-season. This protects it from vandals as well as from those with more than just a passing curiosity about what's inside.

If you have noticed a draft around your weight-and-pulley windows, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your windows need to be replaced. In fact, this usually means there is a gap between the outside trim and the siding, which can easily be repaired.

Did you know that glass is a unique state of matter known as an amorphous solid? Unlike most other solids which have microscopic crystalline structures, the atoms which make up glass are instead arranged in a random order.

One of the benefits of using a recognized board-up service is that you won't get in trouble with the local government. Board-ups are also subject to local building codes that must be followed to the letter by anyone attempting the job.

It’s important to remember that some types of windows can take longer to repair than others. If your windows use a special type of glass or are an unusual shape, it may require additional time to glass panes in the correct size.

Essentially, low-emission (low-e) coatings are a way to enhance insulated glass. This is a thin coating of metal oxide which boosts the efficiency of the glass by reducing its thermal conductivity.

Garages can be boarded up too. Most garage doors are not reinforced, meaning that in extreme weather, they most likely will buckle if they are not reinforced.

If you are considering adding skylights to brighten your home, consider the glass you use in the same way you consider the glass your windows have. Insulated and low-e glass help maintain interior climate, and using safety or tempered glass will help protect against accidental breaking.

Old-fashioned aluminum or wood windows may not close completely, which leaves a small crack through which hot and cold air can come through and raise your electricity bills.

If you are installing a shower enclosure in limited space, buy glass panels cut with 135 degree angles to have more space. Tempered glass requires using panels at least four inches wide.

Modern casement windows are usually opened by use of a crank or lever, but for a long time they were merely hinged. In fact, casement windows were used before hung sash windows, and were originally made with multiple panes of glass held together by lead.