Light exposure is essential to happiness, emotional health, and overall wellbeing. Before the invention of glass, the earliest windows comprised simple openings in roofs that admitted light during the day before progressing to include animal hide, cloth, or wood coverings. These protected the inhabitants from weather elements while being translucent, allowing trace elements of light to illuminate homes. Learn more about how glass has been used through the years as we explore the history of glass windows.
The first glass creations were found in nature. Naturally occurring volcanic glass, or obsidian, was used to fashion basic ornaments and spear tip weapons or serve as forms of currency in the prehistoric age. The first existence of man-made glass can be traced back to 3500 BC.
Glass is manufactured from natural raw materials like sand, soda ash, and limestone that are melted at high temperatures to form a liquid. It is then manipulated and moulded into different shapes before cooling into hardened glass structures. The introduction of the blowpipe was pivotal in the construction of glass containers. However, the glass produced in this period contained a high level of impurities and was mostly used for fashioning jewellery and vessels. Glass windows had not yet been invented.
The history of the first glass windows began by the end of the 1st century AD, as glass material became commonly available throughout the Roman Empire. The Romans were the first to make window glass panes. Blown cylindrical shapes were flattened out into thinner sheets, serving as the building pieces for window creations. However, this manufacturing process meant that windows were limited to a small size of uneven thickness and weren’t completely transparent.
Stained glass gained popularity across Europe as Christianity spread in the 4th century and was used to create biblical images by joining different coloured pieces of glass together.
The history of glass windows and innovative experiments have culminated in the revolutionary window-making techniques we use today. The float glass-making process was introduced in the 20th century and remains the industry standard for making glass windows. Molten liquid glass is poured and spread out on a bed of molten tin, paving the way for large panes of unblemished glass devoid of flaws to be created.
Today, we see many innovative window glass variations like retrofit double glazing and tinting, together with different framing choices that you can customise to suit your home and the climate.
Enjoy the many benefits of modern technology and innovation with Atlas Glass, Auckland’s double-glazing experts. Retrofit double-glazing features two or more panes of glass spaced and hermetically sealed, creating a layer of air in the middle. A high-quality and attractive window solution, this method provides insulating qualities for an energy-efficient home with cost-effective minimal maintenance. Talk to our experienced team for a free consultation and advice on how retrofit double-glazed windows can work for your home today!
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature in the summer and winter can take a toll on your bills. Save money and lower your carbon footprint at the same time by investing in methods to make your home drier, insulated, and energy efficient. Making a conscious effort to implement improvements around your home will prove priceless in the long run. We discuss how you can create a low-maintenance and comfortable energy-efficient home.
Whether installing it in a new build or retrofitting your existing home, double-glazing your window frames is a great way to create an energy-efficient home. The added layer of air in between the glass panes acts as an insulator to reduce heat loss and trap heat indoors. In addition to preventing heat loss through windows and providing efficient noise control, it also reduces condensation build-up on the inside of windows, keeping your home warm and dry all year round.
A heat pump offers one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your home. Instead of generating heat, it extracts warmth from the outdoors and moves it inside during cold months to heat your home, and vice versa during the summer. Offering dual heating and cooling properties for different seasons, save money with this two-in-one system that uses relatively lower power compared to other heating methods like electric or gas heaters. Choosing an appropriately sized heat pump will keep your home warm and dry and is an excellent investment for a cost and energy-efficient home in the long run.
Window blinds can be custom-made to sit flush with your window opening, creating a tight air space for improved insulation and preventing heat loss from your home. With complete flexibility over their use, enjoy improved comfort by controlling how much light and privacy you receive at any time of day; open your blinds in the morning to let in sunshine and heat and close them at night to reduce heat loss. Different blind types, like cellular shades, contain air layers in a honeycomb design which helps reduce heat conduction, while heavier fabrics in roller blinds offer better thermal performance.
Carpeting isn’t only great for its aesthetic features and softness; it is also an amazing insulator. Up to 10% of heat loss in a house occurs through uninsulated flooring. Hard-tiled or wooden floors are also cold to walk on and can cause a chill when you’re trying to move around the house in the cold. Installing a thicker carpet will make a big difference and is one of the easiest and cheapest insulation methods for a more energy-efficient home.
Keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer without breaking the bank. As New Zealand’s double-glazing specialists, Atlas Glass can fit unique and high-performance double-glazed windows for your new build or upgrade your existing windows to a design of your choosing. Simple, cost-effective, and requiring minimal maintenance, talk to our team to receive a free quote and upgrade for an energy-efficient home now!
