What is a thermal pane or insulated glass window?
The term insulated glass, or (IG) unit, does not refer to the physical makeup or construction of the glass, but how the glass is fabricated into an IG unit. An IG unit consists of two sheets of glass separated by an airspace of constant thickness. “Spacers” or edge seals are placed between the two sheets of glass to create airspace. The seal between the glass sheets is accomplished through the use of a variety of different types of materials and sealants. In addition, a desiccant is incorporated into the edge seal technology to absorb water vapor that migrates across the seal. The intervening airspace reduces heat transfer by conduction and convention through the glass. In order to increase the insulation performance of the IG unit, inert gases such as Argon and Krypton may be used to replace air between the panes of glass. Both Argon and Krypton are invisible, harmless, odorless, and heavier than air, which results in slower convective movement and a reduction in heat transfer. IG uni
