Normal glass is available in different shades and shapes, the two main types of glass used for architectural purposes are low iron glass vs clear glass.
Their properties differ because their ingredients aren’t the same, and different products require different glass types. People usually get confused about which one to buy to fulfill their requirements. Commonly, people buy clear glass considering it “clear” without knowing its specifications.
Today let’s explore these types of glass, explain the distinction between low iron glass vs clear glass and also recommend which is best for your project.
6 FAQs about low iron glass vs clear glass
1. What is low iron glass & How’s it different from clear glass?
Low iron glass is a type of glass that contains less amount of iron oxide content. It is also known as extra-clear glass and optically clear glass. The optically clear glass increases the light transparency by up to 6%-8%. It also increases the flow of natural light and gives a seamless continuity between spaces.
So what’s the main difference between low-iron vs clear glass?
- Color: With trace amounts of iron, low-iron glass is colorless. Unlike normal glass, low-iron glass maintains its clarity no matter how thick a piece is when viewed edge-on. When looking at a glass sheet’s edges, there’s a faint, bluish tone, which is overcome by colors around the piece. In clear glass pieces, a greenish tint becomes more pronounced the thicker a glass sheet is.
- Transparency: As a glass with almost no impurities, low-iron glass does not hinder light from passing through it. Compared to normal glass, low-iron glass improves light brightness by up to 8%.
2. Does the low iron glass have a green tint and does low iron glass have a green edge?
Standard clear glass’s higher iron content means that it has a blue-green tinge, In the case of clear glass, the amount of ferric oxide is about 0.1%. These higher levels produce a greenish tint, gaining prominence as the glass thickens. For those looking to back-paint or coat their glass, low-iron options should not be overlooked, as the edges of thicker pieces of glass can often times appear nearly black.
In the low iron glass, ferric oxide makes up about 0.01%—or about 10 times less than clear glass—of the glass composition. This lower level of iron reduces the amount of green tint, allowing more natural light to pass through the glass. It offers individuals and businesses alike the opportunity to color-match their glass and ensure that it remains aesthetically pleasing. A clearer starting point means less work with color-matching when you need to paint your glass.
3. Is low iron glass stronger? Can low iron glass be tempered?
While the amount of ferric oxide is different, low iron glass vs clear glass have about the same strength. With further processing, both normal glass types easily withstand heavy, blunt impacts.
Tempering is available for both normal glass, through the tempering process, glass sheets become up to 5x stronger. What’s more, tempered glass panes improve safety when broken. Should a low-iron tempered glass pane shatter, it breaks into small, pebble-like pieces rather than jagged shards.
Learn more about the low iron vs clear glass tempering process: Glass Tempering process.
4. What is the Price Difference Between Low Iron and Clear Glass?
Before deciding which type of glass is best for your project, it’s important to evaluate the quality standards and performance expectations of each type. Consider the cost, durability, and clarity to ensure that you’re getting exactly what you need for the job. Low iron glass may be more expensive, but it offers superior clarity and better scratch resistance than clear glass. In some cases, this can make it a more worthwhile investment in the long run.
The benefit of using clear glass is the cost, low iron glass is slightly more expensive. Using clear glass or low iron glass is depending on your requirement. For places that need more light transmission or high decoration, we recommend the use of low iron glass.
5. Benefits: low iron vs clear glass
- Low iron glass: offers many advantages to normal glass. It has a higher clarity and it is much more resistant to breakage. Low iron glass also lets in more natural light and blocks ultraviolet(UV) light, giving you gorgeous views while protecting what’s inside your home during the day.
- Normal glass: clear glass is a versatile material that can be used for just about anything. It doesn’t let heat through as quickly as low iron glass, which makes it great for homes in warmer climates. Clear glass is also cheaper than low iron glass. In most instances, the slightly greenish hue of clear is unnoticeable or irrelevant, and in some cases preferred.
6. What is low iron glass used for?
Clear glass and low-iron glass are both popular types of commercial glass and can be used for just about anything. However, low-iron glass is ideal for projects where clarity matters.
Low-iron glass is a nice option for:
- Low iron glass balustrade;
- Cabinetry ;
- low iron glass for aquarium;
- Glass walls;
- Display cases;
- Merchandising windows;
- Spandrels glass;
- low iron glass for shower doors;
Hopefully after reading this article, you can more clearly understand the difference between low-iron glass vs clear glass, ensuring you’ll get the right glass when you have a project on hand.
To learn more about glass and its feature, get in touch with our experts in Shenzhen Dragon Glass.
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