Know the Difference between what’s between the glass

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There’s a little element to your replacement windows that makes a big difference. When meeting with homeowners, most times I have found that they aren’t aware of what spacer system is in their current windows, what spacer system they want in their new ones, and why one is better than the other. But there is a difference! Here are the basics and some tips to help you know the difference.

Lesson One: Every double paned replacement window has a spacer system. What IS a spacer system you ask? If you notice the picture just to the right, you’ll see a spacer system in between two panes of glass. This little piece serves many purposes. First of all, it creates an obvious separation between the two panes of glass. By doing so, window manufacturers are able to build a window that has a layer of low-e coating (a commonly used insulating film) and the spacer provides an additional insulation value because of its ability to keep heat from passing through the window. A good spacer also acts to provide a tight seal that keeps the gas filling (usually Argon or Krypton gas, click here for more information on gas filled windows) from leaking out of the window.

Now you know basically what a spacer does. Let’s discuss the different types of spacers and what makes one better than the other.

Lesson Two: Spacer types. There are two main types of spacers you’ll find in builder grade double paned windows in Atlanta; swiggle and aluminum. Without getting into too much detail I’ll give you one big reason for each of these two spacer systems as to why these technologies fail by comparison to superior systems crafted today.
Aluminum conducts heat rather well which means makes the passage of heat easier rather than slowing heat gain and heat loss which is what good insulators do.

Swiggle among it’s many other cosmetic defects tends to buckle or even crack with time since it is a rubberized black material. It’s insulation value is fairly low but the main drawback is the unsightliness that it creates over the years.

So which spacer systems do you want to look to have in your replacement windows? Unlike aluminum spacers, upgraded windows use “warm edge technology” to ensure a better seal than the conductive aluminum spacers do. Most premiere replacement vinyl windows will use either Super Spacer or Intercept Spacers.

The Super Spacer which uses warm edge technology is found commonly in vinyl replacement windows in standard energy packages that include low-e and argon gas.

For an upgraded system homeowners can turn to the Intercept Spacer which has continued to receive high marks from consumers and window manufacturers alike. Intercept Spacers tend to outperform most other spacer systems and protect against gas leakage, seal failure, and provide higher insulation values.

While Intercept and Super Spacers are not the extent of spacer systems available, they are two of the most commonly found systems and are used in manufacturers such as Softlite Windows, Thermal Industries and Vista Windows.


For more information visit us at Atlantawindows.com or give us a call at 770-499-8894 for an in home consultation.