Finding Better Glass For Your Home

Perhaps you have noticed that your window has a very particular type of crack. It may not look huge, or deep, but rather it is a shallow crack that doesn't appear as if it was caused by blunt trauma. This is most likely a stress crack. A stress crack may be a cause for you to invest in glass replacement. Throughout the course of this brief guide, you will learn a bit about the phenomenon of stress cracks. 

What Are The Causes Of Stress Fractures?

Often times, stress cracks are caused by a sudden change in temperature. While season contingencies are the likely culprit, such as a drastic reduction of the temperature overnight during the spring or fall seasons, there could be other reasons, as well. For example, if you recently removed a tree that was providing an ample amount of shade around your window, thus lowering the temperature, then this recent influx of heat can cause your window to fracture. You may be surprised to know that stress fractures can occur over the course of just a few hours.

Can You Prevent Stress Fractures?

There are preventative measures that you can take to prevent stress fractures from occurring. The best way to prevent stress fractures is to invest in glass that has resilience to the very phenomenon of stress fractures. Both thicker glass and glass that is tailor made to fit the particular climate in which you live can help you from experiencing a stress fracture. If you're building a new structure, you may wish to consult with your architect about specific window placement that can reduce the possibility of receiving a stress fracture.

How Can You Identify A Stress Fracture?

Identifying a stress crack is usually easy, so long as you identify the problem when it first begins. Take a look at the crack. Does it start perpendicularly along the edge of the glass? If so, then the chances are, this is a stress fracture. Stress fractures can be hard to identify if they are not spotted right away, as the cracking tends to exacerbate over time. For example, stress fractures can "spider web" outward, creating multiple cracks and patterns that even resemble an impact crack.

Stress fractures can be difficult issues to deal with. They usually necessitate replacing the offending pane of glass. If you have spotted a stress fracture, it is recommended that you seek the services of a trusted window repair person or company.