What Does Glazing Mean (And What's The Benefit of Tape Vs. Silicone)

Essentially, glazing is the material or process used to adhere the window pane to the frame.  In older, single-pane glass frames a putty was used to seal the gap between the wooden frame and the glass pane.  In modern vinyl frames, this is often accomplished in one of two ways.  The first and most common method is to use Silicone, the second is to use double-sided foam tape.

Which glazing method is better?

Silicone is the most common window glazing method in modern residential window construction.  It's fast, cost-effective and once cured provides similar performance to tape glaze. However double sided tape glaze offers some benefits that silicone doesn't.  Because of the instant adhesion to the glass and the frame, there can be no movement of the glass in the window frame guaranteeing dimensional stability.  Silicone will allow the materials to shift until it is cured which can result in frames that aren't square.  Silicone also has the possibility of having air bubbles which compromise the seal between the pane and the frame.  Tape instantly adheres and creates an air-tight seal.

Tape glazing performance

Based on EnergyStar and CSA Harmonized tests, 2 way tape out-performs silicone as a window glazing material based on their abc scale (a = air tight, b = water tight, c = wind proof).  Taken as a whole, tape offers a better performing, more stable product.  The instant adhesion means perfectly square windows that are more air-tight, water-tight and wind proof than those made with silicone. Lifestyle Home Products chooses to use 2 way tape for window glazing because it is the best performing product available.  If you're considering replacement windows, contact us to discuss your project.  You'll find that the best window available can also be affordable.