All You Need to Know about Insulating Glass Spacers

If you're considering using an insulating glass spacer, this guide is for you! Insulating glass spacers are small pieces of material that are put between the glass panes to improve the window's thermal performance. While they aren't used in every situation, they can significantly benefit businesses and homeowners looking to conserve energy while reducing their carbon footprint. If you want to know more about insulating glass spacers, read on.

Insulating glass spacers are used as an insulator between two pieces of glass. With advancements in technology, insulation can now be achieved with a gap of as little as 0.4mm. They help prevent condensation or fog from forming on the window surface and can also regulate the temperature allowed into your building.

When buying spacer strips for your windows, you will want to look for two things: the initial U-value (a rating of how well it prevents heat from moving from one side of the window pane to another) and any restrictions on working conditions they have been designed for. Spacer strips are typically just as easy to install as regular window blinds, but take care not to get paint or glue on them during installation.

Types of Insulating Glass Spacers

You must choose the type of insulating glass spacer based on how much air, light, and noise insulation you want. The most common types are:
1. Aluminum spacers
2. Warm edge spacers
2.1.Stainless steel warm edge spacer
2.2 Plastic-metal warm edge spacers
2.3 Flexible warm edge spacers
Aluminium Spacers: These are usually made from aluminium or other lightweight metals and allow for a few contact points between the window panes. These tend to be less expensive than other options but may not be as durable in high winds or other environmental factors.

Warm edge spacers: These types of spacers sit just at the perimeter of the glass pane and can create an insulated seal by pressing against both surfaces with a vacuum pump. Three main variations are stainless steel, plastic metal, and flexible rubber.

Stainless steel warm spacer: These have higher durability than aluminium because they do not rust over time. They also reduce energy loss and make it easier to install glazing, which means faster installation times for professionals.

Plastic-metal warm edge spacers: They are more cost-effective than their stainless steel counterparts because they weigh less. However, they are more susceptible to corrosion if rain and other harsh elements are exposed.

Flexible warm spacers: these spacers are made of soft materials like rubber or silicone. As a result, they maintain their form when pressed up against the glass pane, so there is no need for vacuum pumps to hold them in place. They are great for people who want insulation without any extra hardware added to the windows.

What's TPS Insulating Glass?

TPS spacers are glass spacers that have a low-emissivity coating. The coating helps reduce heat transfer and improves thermal insulation. It also improves the glass's U-value, which measures how well a material prevents heat from escaping. Typical insulating glass spacers have a U-value of .24, but TPS spacer units can get as low as .19.

There are two ways to install them: an air space or an enclosed space. Air spaces need a regular window and door installation to seal the two panes. An enclosed space is made by adding another pane of glass on top or the side. If you add it on the side, make sure it doesn't interfere with the opening and closing of your windows.

If you add it on top, use tempered glass since it won't break as easily as regular glass does. Make sure there's a proper seal around the perimeter of your unit, so they don't leak any energy out. Professionals should install TPS spacer units because not all homes are prepared correctly for these types of windows (some are just missing important things like insulated frames).

Features of TPS Insulating Glass

Excellent tension: TPS spacers do not require any additional materials for support. They are made of a special metal alloy that is strong and rigid enough to stand independently. Tensioning may be applied, but it is not necessary.

Maximum moisture: Without an air gap, the potential for condensation build-up is greatly reduced. Moisture moves through glass more easily when there's no air between panes.

Improved safety: The airspace between two pieces of glass ensures that if one pane shatters, the other will stay intact - protecting you from harm.

Exceptional performance: Air in the space between two pieces prevents ultraviolet light from penetrating the glass; this means your furniture will look newer and longer, and your carpets won't fade as quickly as they would otherwise.

More efficient installation: When installing insulation glass without spacers, you must use more adhesive than spacers, which provides more adhesion surface area, resulting in better adhesion strength. For example, a spacer should be spread evenly across the entire surface (including both surfaces). In contrast, only one side needs to be covered with glue when using insulating glass without spacers.

Longer lifespan: Installing windows with spacers instead of frames extends the life expectancy of your window by keeping out pests, dirt, and dust.

Better energy efficiency: An insulated glass unit has three different areas where heat can enter or escape; the window sill, at the edge of each pane and the junction between each pane.

Conclusion

Insulating glass spacers decrease energy bills by filling the void between a window and frame. While this window component may seem like it does not serve any other purpose, its main job is to provide thermal insulation.

Spacers can help fill in the space between glass panes or windows if a space is too small for insulation. To choose the right type of spacer for your needs, you must consider how much air will pass through it and how close you want it to be to your window pane or insulated glass unit.

Luckily, many different types of spacers are available on the market, and most install within an hour.