Re using double glazing.

[kayakbren]

How do I split a double glazing panel? I am building a greenhouse and have been given some double glazed panels, not in frames. If I can split them I'll get twice as much area, also they will be lighter.

Thanks

[Green Aura]

Hi, welcome to Ish

I don't know how to separate double glazing panes but I know they have that metal strip round. I presume getting that off is the first, if not only step. I'd do it out of doors though - can't remember what gas they fill the cavity with but it might be best not to inhale lots!

[dave45]

the gas might be argon.. which as I recall is an inert gas, that doesn't react with anything so don't worry too much.

I have split a DG panel when I didn't want to... I was trying to insert a homemade solar panel in between the 2 sheets of glass (the whole story is way back in the alternative energy forum section). In short. the 2 sheets of glass are separated by aluminium spacers around the edge (which are hollow and contain microbeads that absorb moisture - break them and you'll know all about it!) The whole thing is stuck tgether with "black gunk". Leave the panel in hot sun and the blank gunk melts and it all falls apart. I didn't want this to happen... you do!

If you try and use the DG units in your greenhouse without their plastic or wood frame my guess is that the the black gunk would melt on you anyway, so its probably a good idea to split them in the first place. I built a homebrew greenhouse 2 years ago mainly single-glazed... it gets plenty hot enough !

[kayakbren]

Thanks guys! It is quite dull here today (Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides), but will give it a go. I want to mount the sheets in a wooden frame so will clean black gunk off if am succesful...!

[Carltonian Man]

Please be careful KB. Toughened glass is not so bad but the glass in regular sealed units can be surprisingly unpredictable. It can be moved about time and again without a problem and then when you least expect it the slightest movement or applied pressure and it splits one end to the other. No warning, no sound, no flexing, it just goes. If you have it in single panes this most probably means a razor-edged guillotine is about to drop.