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windowpane

A windowpane is a sheet of glass that forms part of a window. It is the transparent element that allows light to enter a building while providing a barrier against weather. In architectural terms a window may be described as a frame containing one or more panes, sometimes subdivided by muntins into individual lights or panes.

Most modern windowpanes are made of float glass, a soda-lime glass produced by the float glass process.

Historically, window panes were small and expensive, with larger panes achieved through advances in glassmaking and

The term reflects the primary meaning of a pane of glass in a window, though it may

Panes
are
cut
to
size,
finished
at
the
edges,
and
installed
with
glazing
putty
or
modern
sealants.
Common
variations
include
tempered
glass,
which
is
heat-treated
for
strength
and
safety,
and
laminated
glass,
in
which
a
polymer
interlayer
holds
shards
together
if
broken.
For
energy
efficiency,
panes
are
often
combined
in
insulated
glazing
units
(IGUs)
with
two
or
more
panes
separated
by
a
spacer
and
filled
with
air
or
an
inert
gas.
frame
construction.
Today
glazing
systems
range
from
single-pane
to
double-
or
triple-glazed
configurations,
with
coatings
and
gas
fills
to
reduce
heat
transfer
and
condensation.
Maintenance
typically
involves
cleaning,
inspecting
seals,
ensuring
proper
hardware
operation,
and
replacing
damaged
panes
to
maintain
safety
and
insulation.
appear
in
other
contexts
where
sheet
glass
is
used.