What Is Low-Iron Glass?
Low-iron glass is a type of glass specially produced to contain less iron oxide than standard "clear" glass. The presence of iron oxide in the glass results in a slight greenish tint, which is not always noticeable but can become more apparent in thicker or multi-layered glass constructions.
Due to the reduction of impurities, low-iron glass has a clarity and transparency that ordinary glass cannot achieve. For this reason, low-iron glass is especially popular for architecturally designed buildings to provide a clear view and a neutral appearance that blends seamlessly with the existing surroundings.
The architectural classic Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the first houses to incorporate low-iron glass in its windows.
The clarity of low-iron glass allows maximum light transmittance and solar gain to benefit from natural energy and is widely used in solar panels.
How Is Low-Iron Glass Made?
During the production of regular float glass, impurities are inherent in the raw materials, such as silica and can be contaminated from the container in which the glass was melted.
Low-iron glass uses carefully selected higher-grade raw materials with naturally low iron content.
The melting process is more precise and tightly controlled to ensure that the product properties remain consistent.
The result is a glass with fewer inherent impurities and a reduced iron oxide content, which gives it a clearer and more neutral appearance.