What Are Window Stress Cracks? | Reliable Glazing

What Are Window Stress Cracks?

February 19, 2020

Window glass technology has improved quite a bit over the last few decades. Today’s glass is stronger, more energy efficient and even looks better in some scenarios. Even with these advancements in how glass is made and installed, though, window glass can still crack. This post will cover glass cracks and why window glass repair in Denver, CO is so important.

Types of cracks

If you thought “a crack is a crack,” think again! These are the most common different types of window cracks:

  • Thermal stress crack: These cracks form at a perpendicular angle and are caused by rapid temperature swings. Thermal stress cracks typically extend about a half-inch from the glass edge, but will grow quickly if they’re not repaired.
  • Impact crack: A baseball colliding with your window may form an impact crack, which looks like a starburst pattern radiating from a central point. These cracks are often beyond window glass repair in Denver, CO and will require glass replacement.
  • Pressure crack: Insulated windows have two panes with gas sealed between them. This technology helps keep our homes more comfortable and saves money on energy bills. However, if they’re installed improperly or there’s a dramatic pressure system change in the weather, a pressure crack may form. Pressure cracks form in the curve of an hourglass and often require replacement, since they affect the window’s performance.

Common causes

Windows can break for any number of reasons. However, these are the most common causes of window stress cracks:

  • Seasonal weather: We’re no strangers to temperature change in Colorado. One day it can be 60 degrees, and the next, it can snow! These massive temperature swings, particularly in the spring and fall, can cause big problems for our windows, as they’re unable to handle the daily difference. Since there’s nothing we can do about the weather, it’s best to be prepared by installing safety tempered glass in Denver, CO.
  • Lighting changes: As you can imagine, the amount of sunlight your windows receive dramatically impacts their daily temperature. That’s why we take lighting into account when installing new windows. If the lighting changes from a shade tree getting knocked over or a house going up next door, your glass will be more likely suffer to from a thermal crack.

Avoiding stress cracks

There’s nothing you can do to prevent cracks altogether, but these tips may help you avoid them:

  • Choose the right glass: Installing thicker glass and choosing glass based on our climate and your home’s sun exposure can prevent cracks from occurring. Since you probably don’t know which type of glass is right for your home, be sure to come see our team at Reliable Glazing. We’ll help you pick out the perfect windows for your home!
  • Hire the right team for installation: On top of picking out the right window glass, you’ll also want to pick a team of experts to install your windows. Properly installed windows are less likely to crack or have any other problems down the road. We have years of experience installing all sorts of windows in homes and commercial buildings, so you can rest easy knowing we’ll do the job right the first time.

With spring right around the corner, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your windows to safety tempered glass in Denver, CO. Give Reliable Glazing a call today to schedule a consultation.

Categorised in: ,