Glass Spacer
A glass spacer separates the panes around the perimeter of an insulated glass unit and helps maintain the sealed space between the panes.
Why Does the Spacer Matter?
The spacer helps maintain pane spacing, supports the edge seal, accommodates movement and influences heat transfer and condensation resistance around the edge of the glass.
Common Spacer Types
Traditional Metal / Aluminum Spacer: Strong and widely used, but aluminum is relatively conductive and can make the edge of the glass colder.
Stainless-Steel Spacer: Less thermally conductive than aluminum and can provide strength with a relatively thin profile.
Super Spacer: A branded flexible, non-metallic foam spacer system designed to reduce perimeter heat transfer and accommodate glass movement.
Warm-Edge Spacer: A general category for spacer systems designed to reduce edge-of-glass heat transfer compared with highly conductive traditional metal spacers.
The spacer is only one part of the window. Glass coatings, gas fill, number of panes, frame construction and overall design all affect performance.
Related Window Terms
Insulated Glass Unit • Low-E Glass • Argon • Double-Pane Glass • Triple-Pane Glass • U-Factor • SHGC • Seal Failure