Panes

A pane is a flat sheet of material used to enclose or partition space, most commonly glass in windows and doors. Panes are typically set in frames and held by glazing beads, muntins, or sash hardware; they can form single, double, or triple glazing units.

In construction, pane quality depends on glass type and thickness. Float glass, produced by floating molten glass on a bath of tin, revolutionized pane manufacturing, producing smooth, uniform sheets. For safety, many panes use tempered glass (which shatters into small pieces) or laminated glass (bonded layers that hold together when broken). Double- or triple-glazed panes use an air or inert-gas gap to reduce heat transfer and noise.

Alternative materials, such as acrylic or polycarbonate, are used for lighter, impact-resistant panes in skylights, greenhouses, or vandal-prone areas. Maintenance includes cleaning, seal checks, and occasional replacement of glazing beads or seals.

In computing and digital interfaces, a pane is a designated area of a window that displays content. Panes can be arranged in split views, such as a navigation pane beside a content pane, and are common in file managers, email clients, IDEs, and terminal multiplexers, where the window is divided into multiple resizable panes.

Other uses include display cases and storefronts where glass panes provide visibility and protection.

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