Not all glass windows are built the same, and such is the case for residential and commercial glass replacement. To the untrained eye, the differences may not be obvious but it takes an expert to assess both the subtle and massive differences they have.
Simply put, commercial glass windows are in a class of their own. While it may not be necessary that you get the same level of products for your residential property, it’s good to know how they vary. If you wish to raise your home’s prestige to the next level, commercial glass windows might be an excellent option for you. These are some of the major differences between residential and commercial glass windows:
You can feature glass in so many different types of window glass and furniture, such as tabletops, shower enclosures, frameless glass doors, sliding doors, glass furniture, and so many others.
Here are some of the different types of glass as well as their uses.
Glass Replacement Including Frame Size and Weight
One of the major differences between the two is in the frame. Residential window frames are sturdy, but they pale in comparison to the resilience of commercial window frames. They’re generally built to withstand less intense conditions, making the materials much lighter.
Commercial windows glass replacement are built to last, often with consideration that they might not be replaced for more than 5 years or so. Often placed at such heights, they must be capable of withstanding tough weather conditions. Because of this, they’re made up of much more intricate parts that make the structure heavier. There are exceptional products for residential installations, especially larger windows for panoramic views and skylights, but commercial windows are generally sturdier.
Glass Replacement Options
Commercial buildings have more options when it comes to glass materials and there are various factors for it. They tend to get crowded due to a large volume of people, which leads to a higher temperature inside. If the heat waves of the sun were to make way completely inside, they can heat up the interior significantly. Commercial buildings have various appliances and installations generating heat, and with external heat making way through the window, it can drive up the bills for cooling down the building.
Windows with high U-Factor ratings block heat from passing through the glass. Commercial glass replacemnt windows use glass panels with higher U-Factor ratings, which drives up the installation cost but helps with making the interior inhabitable. You can get away with glasses that have lower U-Factor ratings for residential properties.
Glass Strength
The glass used on commercial properties is far stronger than the typical residential installation. In most cases, the glass panels are much thicker to add a protective layer to them. Most commercial buildings are taller than the average residential property, which makes them susceptible to heavy rain, hail, and snow. These can do a great deal of damage to any glass product.
Residential properties can take damage from these too, but they’re often protected by trees and other factors like wind pressure are generally lower at that level. For the average window, residential glass products are fine. But for larger installations, it would be better to go with something more resilient, especially if it’s exposed. Larger installations require more structural integrity, so stronger, thicker glass panels are generally the recommended option.
Glass Options
Firstly, you can find a wide variety of glass options for your commercial properties. Add the various kinds of glazing options that you can add to the glass panel, and you’ve got various combinations to choose from. Residential windows on the other hand have fewer options, as there are no specific requirements for a particular property as there are specifications for different industries that commercial glass windows will benefit from.
The Performance You Get After The Glass replacement
When it comes to durability and overall performance, commercial windows are leagues ahead of most residential windows. Windows placed on a skyscraper, exposed to the roughest atmosphere need to stay in tip-top shape. Replacing them is not a feasible option, which means that they need to be able to take a beating. At such heights, debris and birds will bump into the structure more frequently, which most residential glass replacemnt and installations might not withstand repeatedly.
From thicker glass, different coatings to add protective layers on top, commercial windows win this one. There are premium options for residential windows as well, especially for larger installations such as skylights, awnings, or any glass doors but they will set you back a fair bit.
Appearance
Residential and commercial glass windows have different designs in general. Residential glass windows come in various shapes, sizes, with a focus on aesthetics rather than exposure. This is why they often have larger frames than their commercial counterparts. Many contemporary residential window designs have intricate glass panel patterns with divisions between windows.
Commercial glass windows are all about simplicity, going with larger glass panels for minimum obstruction and letting in the maximum light possible. You’ll notice lesser paneling for a better glass to panel ratio in general. Commercial glass installations focus more on functionality than aesthetics while following certain architectural trends for an appealing look.
Installation
Residential windows are much easier to install. They contain generally fewer parts, which reduce the overall weight of the frame. Fitting it in a space and setting them is generally easier. On the flip side, commercial glass windows have way more parts that go into them. Not only does this make the windows themselves much heavier, but the panel installation process becomes tedious as well.
In the case of any custom-built windows, which are fairly common nowadays, the installation process becomes much more complicated. It’s best to let a window installation and repair service handle the job in such cases. For high-rise buildings, DIY is simply not an option and requires professional glass installation services, which does drive the cost of the overall product.
Glass Replacement And Repair Cost
Residential windows are an overall cheaper package than commercial windows. They’re easier to install, come with fewer variations and parts, with fewer premium materials to provide an affordable package for the average homeowner. On the contrary, commercial windows include complicated parts, with robust designs and include some custom solutions.
They’re generally more expensive than the premium residential windows, but the quality speaks for itself and has benefits for a business in the long run. Getting residential windows glass replacement is cheaper due to the less intensive labor for the job as well.
Conclusion
Because of how resilient they need to be in the environment they’re installed in, how they cannot be frequently repaired or replaced, commercial glass installations such as windows are much stronger and overall better than their residential window counterparts. They’re also costlier, be it getting the product and having it installed. But they offer great value for businesses and have a considerable impact in the long term.
Residential windows aren’t bad per se, and they do an excellent job in the setting that they operate in. It might not be feasible for the average homeowner to get commercial windows, but if they have the capital for it, the investment is worth it. For larger glass installations for your home, it’s best to fork up the cash for commercial glass products.
Whether you need commercial or residential glass window services, Safety Window Glass Repair has you covered. We’re providing window and glass repair window repair services in Bethesda, Silver Spring, Columbia, Rockville, and Washington. We’ve built a reputation in the region thanks to our commitment to providing great service. No longer bearing foggy windows to cloak up how good your interiors look. We provide home and commercial glass window repair and replacement.
We also cater to glass installation repair for various residential and commercial glass products such as storefronts, awnings, skylights, and mirrors. Reach out to us today.
