FAQ for Glass
Q: Polishing damaged glass looks fairly simple. Why can’t everyone restore glass to the same degree and quality? A: Stuart Dean’s Glass Restoration division utilizes proprietary equipment that runs the gamut of repair solutions, from polishing out minor surface defects to filling deep chips in the glass. Our insulated glass restoration system can remove up to 80% of the interior surface damage and stop any further degradation of the window glass surface. Investments in research, development and sourcing have made Stuart Dean’s technicians the best equipped in the industry for solving a plethora of glass repair needs. The nature of glass itself (an amorphous solid) requires the highly specialized skills of trained professionals for the proper assessment and potential repair of damage. In order to keep results as distortion-free as possible, friction, heat, and pressure are all carefully monitored by our technicians during the repair process. Back to Top Q: If I have damaged glass, what are my options? A: Special considerations when repairing glass such as heat, pressure, proximity to the edge, and properties of the particular glass type must all be taken into consideration during the restoration process. For example, all glass has small imperfections and micro-cracks near its edge. Too much pressure can cause breakage at these imperfections, especially in annealed or laminated glass. Another important component is proper damage evaluation. There are many types of scratches and imperfections that can occur on glass surfaces which must be accurately identified in order to be removed properly, with minimal distortion. When results are important, then the depth of knowledge that the restoration professional brings to the table is absolutely vital. Back to Top Q: Is glass polishing green-friendly? A: Yes. Architectural glass is not recycled. This means that when it is removed from a building due to damage, it ends up in a landfill. America generates more waste every year, growing in only 10 years from 247 million tons of non-hazardous waste to 409 million tons. In addition, the energy costs with manufacturing and transporting new pieces of glass are enormous. Pollution emitted by glass manufacturing facilities includes CO2 from burning fossil fuels, NOx and SOx air pollution, dust, noise pollutions, and water pollution. Truck transportation contributes to air, noise, and water pollution, and diesel particulate matter is especially problematic for human health. Concerns have been raised about the effect of transportation on the environment, particularly as part of the debate on global warming. In 2005, transportation accounted for 27% of U.S. greenhouse gas emission, increasing faster than any other sector. Clearly, it is the sustainable choice to leave existing glass in place and eliminate the need for making and moving new glass. Back to Top Q: What is tempered glass and the tempering process? A: Tempering involves heating the glass to just below the softening point (620°C/ 1200°F) and then cooling the glass rapidly and uniformly. During the cooling process, the surface layers of the glass harden and contract, while the central core, which is still warm, stays viscous and follows the movement of the contraction. As the core cools and hardens, the rigid surface layers lock it in, compressing the surface of the glass. When the core is completely cooled, the surface of the glass is locked in a state of compression and the central core in a state of tension. Back to Top Q: What does it mean to anneal glass? A: Annealing is a process of slowly cooling glass to relieve internal stresses after it was formed. The process may be carried out in a temperature-controlled kiln. Glass that has not been annealed is liable to shatter or crack when subjected to a relatively small temperature change or mechanical shock. Annealing glass is critical to its durability. If glass is not annealed, it will retain many of the thermal stresses, significantly decreasing the overall strength of the glass. Back to Top Contact Stuart Dean Restoring and maintaining architectural assets avoids costly removal and replacement. Restore and maintain what you have. Contact a Stuart Dean representative at (800) 322-3180 for an assessment.
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