The Secret Behind Window Manufacturing!
Take a look around you. Chances are you probably see at least one window, right? And if you think about it, you likely actually see some type of glass almost everywhere you go. That’s because, when it comes to functionality, glass takes the cake. Not only is it transparent and recyclable, it’s also strong and weather-resistant. Glass is also one of those odd materials that borders on two properties: it looks, feels and acts like a solid but it’s also kind of a liquid. What’s interesting though, is that even though we see glass every single day – most of us have no idea how it’s made! Sure, most people know it comes from sand, but the process is a bit more complex than that. Here, windows manufacturers in Ontario explain the secret behind making the perfect glass window.
Step 1: The ingredients will vary depending on the kind of glass you are creating, but the most popular kind is soda-lime glass. For this type, windows manufacturers in Ontario will use around 63 percent silica sand, 22 percent soda ash (sodium carbonate) and 15 percent limestone. The soda ash is used to reduce the sand’s melting point, thereby saving energy and the limestone stops the mixture from becoming soluble.
Step 2: Now, you may still be wondering how exactly sand transforms into the transparent glass we use everyday. The secret? Heat! Although walking on a sandy beach in the summer can sure feel hot enough to melt, it actually takes about 1700 degrees Celsius to bring sand to its melting point.
Step 3: After the glass melts, windows manufacturers in Ontario bring the mixture back down to 1200 degrees Celsius and the pour it onto big vat of molten tin metal. This process is known as “floating” and it’s what helps form glass into a flat sheet for window use. When the mixture cools, it will have a completely different structure than it did in the beginning. The weirdest part though, is that it doesn’t quite become a solid. Instead, it becomes an amorphous solid, which basically means it’s a liquid/solid hybrid.
Step 4: Once the glass cools it may be reheated or tempered to improve its strength. Windows manufacturers may also apply specific glazes, which can add insulated, heat absorbing or other properties.
Step 5: The glass and frame are measured, cut and assembled together to make a brand new window!
Windows are one of those mundane objects we never pay much attention to, but making them is actually a very intricate and ancient process, with evidence of glass dating all the way back to around 2500 BC! Windows can also dramatically affect the look and feel of a home; there’s a reason “bright” is such a commonly used word amongst realtors. And while you may not think windows are the most interesting topic in the world, there’s no denying that life as we know it wouldn’t be the same without them.