Clear Glass versus Low-Iron Glass – American Plate & Auto Glass

Low-Iron Glass versus Clear Glass

Standard Clear Glass

Standard clear glass isn't actually totally clear. You might notice a slight green tint to the glass or green edges. The green tint becomes even more prominent when looking at an angle and gets darker as glass thickness increases.

The green tint is due to the natural presence of iron oxide from elements such as sand, or from the cask or container in which the glass was melted.

Low-Iron Glass

Low iron glass, on the other hand, is completely clear. This is achieved by reducing the amount of iron in the molten glass formula, providing optimal, unobstructed views. In addition to unobstructed views, the edge work on low iron glass is much less green than standard clear glass.

Low iron glass has a visible light transmittance (VLT) of 91 percent in a standard quarter inch thick glass, while standard clear glass has an 83 percent VLT, making it the clear choice.

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Shower & Tub Enclosure Brochure

Thinking of Glass Tile? Please Read

Glass tile is a beautiful product with a variety of colors and textures, making it appealing to homeowners and designers as an alternative to tile in shower surrounds.

Although they may be clean, crisp and beautiful, they are a major concern when we are asked to drill and anchor into them. The reason? Glass tiles will crack.

They can crack when we drill into them…when we set our anchors in the hole as the pressure expands… or when we set the heavy glass door and start to swing it open and closed. Glass tiles are not meant to bear weight. They will crack. The nature of thin, non-tempered, glass tiles are not strong enough to bear weight. Plain and simple.

If you want to incorporate glass tiles in your shower enclosure, here are ways to work around this issue when it comes to installing a shower door:

Consider an accent wall of glass tile. Typically this would be a back wall where the shower door does not come in contact.
A decorative boarder where the glass sits can be one material while the rest of the shower is all glass tile. In some situations, we can design a shower door where the fixed panel is anchored to the ceiling and curb (not glass) and the door is hinged off the fixed panel.

When GSG can be involved in the remodel process prior to tiling your bathroom, we can help avoid this situation altogether.

A difference you can see...

A picture is worth a thousand words. This side by side image perfectly depicts the difference between standard clear and low iron glass.

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About Us

We are proud of our 35+ years in the same location, servicing the North Shore area. American Plate & Auto Glass is a local, family-owned-and-operated glass company that has been servicing the Greater Boston and North Shore areas since 1980. We are proud to have built a reputation for providing the highest quality workmanship at an affordable price. Our attention to detail, along with our sincere interest in satisfying our customers, is well known throughout the Greater Boston area. From residential to commercial glass services, we're here to serve you.

PLEASE NOTE: Quote submissions received after 5:00pm will be responded to the morning of the next business day. Submissions received after Saturday at 12:00pm will be responded to Monday morning.

We look forward to assisting you and appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.