Hey There

[Mr.Phil]

Hi everyone, I'm Phil. Retired from the Marines and working in Autoglass in order to eat steak and buy beer. So if you have autoglass questions I can either answer them or find the answer. Feel free.

2002 Explorer Sport 4.0

 

[corkey]

welcome to the forum,

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I have a glass related question. New windows in houses are double pane while auto glass is single pane. Single pane isn't as insulated, sound resistant, and fogs up frequently. Is it possible for the manufacturer to install double pane glass in a door which rolls up & down or is it too thick (which is the problem with bullet proof glass in armored vehicles)? Why can't they use double pane stationary glass for the windshield, rear window, and side windows?

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard!!

Semper Fi

 

[Mr.Phil]

Welcome to this forum! I have a glass related question. New windows in houses are double pane while auto glass is single pane. Single pane isn't as insulated, sound resistant, and fogs up frequently. Is it possible for the manufacturer to install double pane glass in a door which rolls up & down or is it too thick (which is the problem with bullet proof glass in armored vehicles)? Why can't they use double pane stationary glass for the windshield, rear window, and side windows?

Thanks for the welcome. Your windshield is actually two pieces of glass with a PVB layer in between them. The glass is primarily done that way so that if you get in a rollover accident the cab is usually prevented from crushing the cabin area. The other reason is so that it won't fall apart into sharp edged chunks when it cracks.

The door, quarter, and back glass is usually tempered so that it will shatter into a bazillion pieces that are relatively dull. That is so you can escape through the opening if needed.

Some newer cars are made with laminated door glass. It is still pretty rare to see it though.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Is it possible for the manufacturer to inject argon gas or plain air into the glass help prevent it from getting fogged? My shower door has a mirror that never fogs but looks like regular glass. It might have some sort of coating. If so, maybe this coating could be applied to auto glass?

One last thing. I once saw at the Javits auto show a prototype roof that had a special glass which automatically darkens when it's in strong sunlight, then automatically gets clearer (but is still smoke tinted) as the sunlight dims. It's similar to the auto darkening welding helmets. For some reason Ford or any other manufacturer never did anything with the idea. I thought that it was a good idea.

 

[Mr.Phil]

Is it possible for the manufacturer to inject argon gas or plain air into the glass ... had a special glass which automatically darkens when it's in strong sunlight, ...

Its possible but not likely due to the added cost. There are windshields with double thick PVB layers. The are marketed as "acoustic" and included with premium sound systems and do a good job at reducing road noise as well.

The self darkening glass is still an industry rumor. I think, but don't hold me too it since it is speculation, that it still doesn't meet the AS1 standard and isn't approved via DOT.

 

[Mr.Phil]

Welcome aboard!!

Semper Fi

OOHRAH! I did a lot of time w/ 3rd MARDIV way back when.