FAQ’s: 1) What is safety glass and why may it be required in my home or office? Safety glass is either Tempered or Laminated glass. It is required to be used in or next to a door, when it is 18″ from the floor (0r closer) and in any shower enclosure application. 2) What is Low-E and what does it do for my windows? Low-E (Low Emissivity) coatings are microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window glazing surface primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow. Low-E coating will reflect heat energy from inside the room to help reduce energy loss. 3) What is argon gas? Argon gas is nontoxic, nonreactive, clear and odorless gas fill that is placed in the air space of an insulated unit (i.e. double pane window). Argon gas provides measurable improvements in thermal performance. 4) If a single pane of glass breaks in my dual pane unit, can I replace the single pane? No. Unfortunately you will need to replace the entire unit. When one pane of glass brakes, it destroys the seal which prohibits the unit from insulating. 5) Can you cut a piece of glass I already own? Yes, as long as the glass has not been tempered. We can fabricate non-tempered glass to your needs, such as cutting down to a different size, adding edge work, holes, notches, and/or finger pulls. All fabrication done to your glass will be at your risk as we can only guarantee glass we provide. 6) What is the best way to clean my glass shower door? The shower unit should be cleaned weekly with a non-abrasive cleaning agent. Abrasive cleaners can damage the metal finish and/or scratch the glass. When cleaning your shower, avoid bleach or vinegar based products as well as steel scouring pads. Glass Terminology: Annealed Glass: Glass that has not been tempered or laminated. Breaks into large, sharp shards and can be quite dangerous. Annealed glass is used in numerous applications including glass table tops, cabinet glass, windows, picture frame glass and glass shelving. Insulated Glazing Units (IGUs): Are made with two glass panes that are hermetically sealed together to achieve an effective vacuum. IGUs are constructed with an open space between the panes to create an air space. It is the air space that creates superior insulating properties. New homes are constructed with IGUs to lower home’s energy costs, improve comfort and decrease condensation. Laminated glass: Made up of two or more sheets of glass with a film between the panes. If laminated glass breaks, the inner layer of film holds the broken pieces in place. This feature classifies laminated glass as safety certified. Laminated glass is typically used in applications where human impact might occur such as skylights, exterior storefronts, curtain walls and windows. Low-iron glass: Glass contains iron which provides it’s natural green tint. True to it’s name, Low-iron glass contains less of the green tint. When looking through a pane of Low-iron glass at it’s surface, it appears ultra-clear. Please be aware that a green or blue tint will still be visible at the edges of Low-iron glass. The thicker the glass, the more color will show. Low-iron glass can be tempered. Most common applications include shower doors, aquariums, commercial glass doors and shelving. Tempered glass: Glass that has been processed by controlled thermal heat to increase its strength. Tempered glass is considered a safety glass due to the way it breaks. If and when tempered glass breaks, it shatters into tiny round fragments (like auto glass). Breaking in this manner makes the glass less likely to cause severe injuries. Tempered glass is used in a variety of demanding applications including windows, doors, table tops and other applications where human impact is possible. Depending on your application, tempered glass is not always recommended. Please consult a Culver Glass representative if you are unsure. Home About Us Commercial Residential Gallery Contact Us Portland Office/Showroom PH: 503-226-2520 Fax: 503-228-9155 Monday - Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm Salem Office/Showroom PH: 503-393-3500 Fax: 503-393-6201 Monday - Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm Eugene Office/Showroom PH: 541-343-3391 Fax: 541-343-9205 Monday - Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm Thanks for the fantastic service. Very cost effective! They even suggested how to install my window. - Ray B.