[Greenbuilding] salvaging insulated glass units

[Stephen Thwaites]

Rob Tom's match test should work but can be hard to do with more than two 
glazing layers- especially if you haven't done it before

Once you get things apart you can test for a low-e coating with an ohm 
meter, which is usually one of the functions on what i call a multimeter
 - put both terminals on the same side of each surface
 - if there is no low-e coating, the electrical resistance should be very 
high
 - if there is a low-e coating, the electrical resistance should be zero

Most Heat Mirror units have the low-e coating on the film.

The Heat Mirror units that we've used have had a polyurethane sealant. This 
is relatively easy to cut - the emphasis being on the word relatively. Be 
very very careful you don't cut yourself, as you'll be using a lot of force 
and a sharp knife.

Good luck!

Stephen Thwaites
Thermotech Fiberglass Fenestration
Ottawa ON Canada


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Beiser" <kbeiser at centurytel.net>
To: <greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] salvaging insulated glass units


> Donald was generous enough to respond to my question about low-e coatings.
> I came up with more questions though:
>
> My glass units have the center "glazing" of
> a mylar-type film.............. more questions?..........
>
> 1)  Could the low-e coating be on that mylar sheet?
>
> 2) If not, it sounds like it would be on the inside of the inner glass
> sheet.  Is that correct?
>
> 3)  Am I making a mistake trying to use the salvaged sheets for a quick
> heating sunspace instead of getting just clear new sheets?
>
> 4)  Any tips for removing the edge spacers?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Ken
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Donald Eyermann" <zeroenergy at cox.net>
> To: "'Ken Beiser'" <kbeiser at centurytel.net>
> Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 10:43 PM
> Subject: RE: [Greenbuilding] salvaging insualted glass units
>
>
>> The low-e coating in on the inside surface of the second glass sheet from
>> the outside.
>>
>
>
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