There are a couple of tools used for measuring glass thickness. Some of the tools serve the general purpose of gauging the material thickness, while others are specific to glass materials. From the traditional calipers, there is a variety of glass thickness measurement gauges that improve with technology. They have become more precise and a go-to when needing thickness measurement. To observe the standard codes of buildings surrounding the use of glass, one needs to ensure that they are using the right kind of glass. Today, we learned how to measure glass thickness, different types of glass thickness gauges, and crucial tips on how to use them properly.
The different types of glass thickness gauges
Glass thickness gauges come in different varieties. From the common use of vernier calipers, other conventional tools have made measuring glass (thickness and air space in double-glazed glasses) a breeze. Today, we look at three such glass thickness gauges.
Merlin laser glass measurement gauge
The Merlin Laser gauge is an instrument that measures the glass thickness and air gaps of the glass material. The unit has a zero-line, scale slide button, and an on/off button, and it measures single skin, double glazed, coated, and triple glazed glass types. Standard batteries contain within and secured with a cover plate and screw at the rear. It is ideal to measure the thickness of glass window.
The “MIG” is a glassware thickness meter that quantifies the thickness of any glass type and air space. The gauge uses laser reflections which appear on a graduated scale. The “MIG” has two scales. The scale located at the bottom is used to measure the thickness of the glass. In contrast, the upper scale determines the air capacity between glazed glass materials. The equipment is great in scenarios that require measuring thick glass for windows.
LS201 digital glass thickness meter
The LS201 Digital Glass Thickness Meter is an apparatus with a dimension of 130mm by 72mm by 33mm (Length by Width by Height). It uses the optical reflection principle to measure the glass thickness. The gauge is put on the surface of the glass, with the detector facing the glass. It measures triple and double glass types as well as laminated glass. Let us explore how these three gauges are used.
How to measure glass thickness
The glass thickness measurement can be done in several ways, using different tools. For this case, we shall explore how to measure glass thickness using the three glass measurement thickness gauges discussed above.
Merlin laser glass measurement gauge
To measure the glass thickness using the Merlin Laser gauge, perform the following. Place the equipment on a clean glass that you measure. Press the red button and hold it while viewing the calibrated scale at an approximately 45-degree angle. Check to confirm that the first laser line aligns with the zero line of the scale. Once done with the confirmation, the second laser line is the thickness measurement of the glass.
To interpret the results for the different glass types, two red laser lines show a single skin. In comparison, four red laser lines indicate a double-glazed or coated glass. If six red laser lines occur, you have measured a triple-glazed glass type. When measuring the air gap, the process is slightly different. With the laser’s on/off button pressed down, slide the Merlin Laser to the center of the glass unit, and the air gap variance will be visible on the air gap scale.
“MIG” laser glass thickness gauge
To measure the glass thickness using the “MIG” laser, inspect the top surface of the slide assembly to ensure it is free from debris and dirt. Then, place it on a flat piece of glass to measure and press the power button. Align the scale by pushing the slide assembly against the stop position. This step aligns the first reflection with the zero gradients. Once you’re happy with the scale’s location, tighten the thumb screw in the lower right corner and double-check that the zero point is still appropriately aligned. Finally, ensure that the laser reflection center on the viewing area by applying pressure to the scale’s center and tightening the screw in the top left corner. Read the bottom scale for the measurement of the glass thickness.
LS201 digital glass thickness meter
To measure the glass thickness using the LS201 gauge, press the power button to power the instrument and then check to ensure that you use the right settings. Attach the back of the device to the glass that is to test. Then, short press the measure arrow (arrow facing up) to enter into the measuring state. Press the select arrow (arrow facing down) to view different results. To get the thickness measurement of the glass thickness, read the results displayed on the LCD.
To interpret the results, for a triple-glazed glass, “Glass 1” will represent the thickness of the first layer of glass will represent the thickness of the first layer of glass. In contrast, “Air 1” will represent the thickness of the first layer of air space. “Glass 2” and “Glass 3” becomes the thickness of the second and third layer of the glasses, respectively. “Air 2” is the thickness of the second layer of air space.
How to calculate glass thickness for windows
The Australian standard, Glass in Buildings-Selection and Installation Glazing Codes, clearly specifies how to calculate a glass thickness for windows (2006). The following processes will guide you on how to determine the minimum glass panel thickness for a building:
The first step involves choosing the Design Wind Pressure (Pz). The values of the Design Wind Pressure were chosen based on their precise geographic and climatic location as well as the wind zone, terrain type, and window height above the ground. The next step involves choosing the Net Pressure Coefficient (Cp). This number pertains to the permeability of decreased building height and window panel size, and a non-linear analysis is performed.
As an alternative, several websites offer a glass measurement calculator built in. The window glass thickness determines automatically once one enters the precise information, such as design wind pressure, panels, glass type, and support of the glazing surface. The outcomes are printed once they are finished.
Tips
- Always ensure that you use the correct scale when measuring thickness or air space for glass thickness gauges with more than one scale.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the accuracy of the equipment and the correct interpretation of the readings.
- For glass thickness gauges that use laser technology, the gauges usually emit a laser beam from the backside. Avoid pointing the laser at someone’s eyes, as it is harmful.
- Check the batteries of the gauge appliances to see if they need to replace before using the gadget.
- In case you are working in an extremely bright environment, cup your hand over the scale to improve its readability of the scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is thickness a width or height?
Sometimes the thickness referred to as width, and it is not similar to height. The difference between height and thickness is that thickness is dimensional, while height is a distance between two points. (Distance between an object’s base and top). An object’s thickness is often referred to as the width if the width of the object is smaller than the three dimensions. (Length, width, and height.)
Can screw gauge measure thickness?
Yes, you can measure the thickness of glass or any other material using a screw gauge. A screw gauge can be used to accurately measure any thickness that requires a precision tool. It can be used to make measurements of up to 0.01 mm.
How do you measure glass for replacement?
To measure glass or replacement, use a tape measure to measure the window vertically from the left, middle, and right sides. Use the smallest measurement from the three as your accurate reading if you find any difference. For the second step, repeat the process of the first step but use the tape measure along the horizontal plane. Again, pick the smallest measurement of the three in case of a difference. The last step involves measuring along the two diagonal axes. A glass weight calculator can be used to confirm the weight of the replacement window.
Conclusion
There are several types of glass with varying thicknesses. Each thickness has a different level of capability and performance. This was happen if the use of glass material is higher. Glass is utilized for everything from partitioning buildings to home décor. With these distinct capabilities, glass thickness determines if the glass was installed following the requirements. The many standards for glass thickness assist in guaranteeing that they are per the performance, which is why contractors, glass importers, and inspectors, to name a few, must understand how to measure glass thickness. With this new know-how, get going and explore the glass material around your home and confirm if they are as per what the building codes suggest.
References
- https://www.linshangtech.com/tech/tech216.html
- https://images.linshangtech.com/user-manual/LS201_User_Manual_V2.0.pdf
- https://www.checkline.eu/products/126342/Merlin-Lazer-en-manual.pdf
- https://www.linshangtech.com/productlist7/
- http://www.merlinlazer.com/Glass-Measurement-Gauge
- https://www.checkline.eu/prod/merlin-lazer/merlin-lazer
- https://wikidiff.com/height/thickness
- https://www.standards.org.au/
