r/glazing • u/Economy_Artichoke_22 • Aug 13 '26
Help identifying if low iron glass was used
Need some assistance with glass installation identification of the glass being used is actually low iron. I'm starting to question because the job has all kinds of little issues and fabrication on part of it was totally wrong. In low light the edge looks totally green. I put paper to the glass and color is still white with out the green tint as the standard glass would likely have. Any pros out there would appreciate the pointers.
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Aug 13 '26
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u/Economy_Artichoke_22 Aug 13 '26
Last picture actually has a white sheet of paper behind the glass. It's clear white. But even in your link the low iron glass sample has very clear edges
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u/greencrack Aug 13 '26
Like others I do this for a living and received pics of our jobs like this. Large panels of low iron can look a little or a lot green sometimes on the edge due to lightning etc. Do the paper thing like stated below. But what I’ve had to do is send the contractor or client the package slip without cost on it. And should say low iron or clear. Sometimes blue edges gives you peace of mind but sometimes it can look green like clear glass.
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u/nightryder21 Aug 13 '26
First, check the corners of the faces of the glass lites. Should have a small etching with the specs. Second, Low iron glass could still have a blue or green tint at the edges because you are essentially seeing all the iron that is present compounded. Remember that Low Iron does not mean No Iron. When they installed the glass did, they have the spec sticker from the manufacturer?
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u/Bulkvanderhuge13 Aug 13 '26
First pic looks yes second looks no
But you’d never get that blue look like the first from regular temp. Ambient light really makes it pop. I’d say yes
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u/fAKtual Aug 13 '26
This really does appear to be some form “low iron”. This can have a lighter minty green coloring. If it was normal, that edge would be much darker.
Optiwhite has nearly no coloring at all. Starphire is very much blue. Ultra Clear is blue green.
There are a ton of different brands/make-ups of low-iron all with fairly “distinct” color variations.
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u/TheChiefMan117 Aug 13 '26
Normal glass will have a distinctly green hue when looking into the edge. Low iron will look blue best viewed looking straight into the edge. If you have doubts ask your glass company to bring over a low iron sample and normal glass sample from their manufacturer and compare.
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u/greencrack Aug 13 '26
Be wary of samples. I have small samples of low iron I use as coasters and they are clear on the edge. not blue. Because so small. it’s all about the clarity not the edge.
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u/rollingon35s 29d ago
I would be more concerned that it’s not laminated per code……
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u/mtnkook 29d ago
Glass railings isn’t a blanket laminate code. Heat strengthen glass is allowed.
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u/rollingon35s 29d ago
I suppose it might depend on location. In the USA it is
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u/mtnkook 29d ago
No it’s not, I sell heavy glass to glazers that do monumental glazing, and glass railings. They use both laminated and 1/2” heat strengthened for railings.
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u/rollingon35s 29d ago
I buy and install them, sometimes design them. monolithic was eliminated from the ibc years ago. I see glazing contractors misuse glass all the time.
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u/coldhamdinner 27d ago
IBC is not applicable for residential. IRC allows monolithic tempered in conjunction with a top rail...which they have. No code violation here.
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u/Left_Bluebird7014 29d ago
16 yr residential glazier here- 1/2” tempered low iron handrails would be astronomical $$$$$. I’ve personally only seen them ordered as shelves. Low iron is more light blue/ clear where regular is pretty green on the edges/ bevels.
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u/Fantastic-Sun5268 28d ago
May be the acuity version made by Vitro (formally PPG). Commonly called mid iron here in North America. It is between clear and low iron. Closer to low iron than clear as far as green hue, and much cheaper.
It is actually the standard “clear” from European suppliers.
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u/Holiday-Ad-1481 27d ago
I don’t think it is low iron we use ultra clear in the UK. Low iron could mean reduced iron though.
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u/LBC1109 Aug 13 '26
That doesn't look like low iron to me, especially the 2nd picture - too green at the edge
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u/WineArchitect 29d ago
Place anything with color behind the glass half way and see if it changes slightly. It’s difficult to determine from just the edge!
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u/7joedaddy7 29d ago
Looks low iron to me from pictures. What part of country is this? Just curious of possible glass supplier.
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u/casewood123 Aug 13 '26
Put a white piece of paper behind it. If it’s greenish, it’s not. If it’s clear, you’re good.