One of the most underrated part of any window production line is the glass spacers. These are made of of many components to help insulate the inside of your building from heat loss. But what is an insulated glass spacer?
An insulated glass spacer is the material around the edges of windows. It retains the gas (typically argon) and and it absorbs moisture in the glass unit.
Below, we will explore the four major different types of glass spacers. By the end of this article, you’ll know what to look for in order to get the highest-quality windows.
The Four Forms of Insulated Glass Spacer
- Duralite spacer
- Duraseal spacer
- Super spacer
- Metal spacer
#1: Duralite (Warm-Edge Spacer)
Duralite warm-edge spacers are suitable for double or triple-sealing panes of glass. Quanex, who has patented this system have cited multiple uses for this form of glass:
- Commercial
- Educational
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Transportation
Duralite glass spacers are known for their smooth surface appearance. They also have incredibly high argon gas retention rates.
Duralite is called as such because it has a single step that applies high heat and minimal pressure. The low-pressure situation is a patented system from Duralite.
It is the upgrade from their other technology: Duraseal
#2: Duraseal (Warm-Edge Spacer)
Duraseal is also known for use in all of the areas above. It is known for smooth surfaces, great gas retention, and excellent resistance against condensation.
Both of Quanex’s products are known for maintaining their structural integrity under pressure. This is incredibly important when testing the thermal performance of these glass units.
Both Duralite and Duraseal are ideal for dual- or triple-pane insulated glass. Both are a reminder that warm edge technology has changed the glass industry for good.
#3: Super Spacer
A super spacer is made up of a highly conductive material without metal. Instead, it is made using a flexible silicone foam which makes it incredibly durable given changing temperature conditions and changing barometric pressure.
The desiccant injected is made for superior argon gas retention. These are made using advance technology and known for often exceeding energy efficiency expectations.
The lack of metal would feasibly reduce stability, but it does not. With advances in insulated glass technology, super spaces are often much more durable and long-lasting than your standard aluminum frame.
Still, there are many people who prefer the classics.
#4: Standard Metal Glass Spacer
A standard metal glass spacer is typically made using aluminum or stainless steel material. The metal is classic and durable, giving your glass long-lasting potential.
Given the rigid metal framing around glass panes, standard spacers are more sensitive to changing barometric pressure and temperatures. So it is important for glass industry professionals to ensure that their glass units receive detailed care and consideration.
Regardless, this form of space continues to stick around because of their low-cost threshold. These classic glass spacers can still last for decades under the right amount of care.
Wrap Up
Insulated glass sealing systems are used to build these windows. By having IG lines as part of your glass production line, you can increase your competitiveness in the glass industry.
If you would like to see how to implement insulated glass systems on your line, contact Glass Machinery Direct to be sure you get cost-effective machines that can help you.
