Most of the glass panes we see today in all their applications are float (from the English word floating). In fact, glass is named after the process required to manufacture it. The raw materials – such as silica sand, soda ash, lime, potash and recycled glass – are melted together in a furnace. The molten glass composition is poured into a molten tin chamber. Since glass is lighter than tin, it floats on top, forming a uniform layer on the surface. The glass is then subjected to a cooling process during which it is stabilized and hardened.

Transparent, colored glass is float glass, the mass of which has been colored during its production. Colored glass is made by adding small amounts of metal oxide to the glass composition. This affects the transmission of solar energy and modifies the color, without changing the basic properties of the glass. The only difference is the reduction in light transmission that comes with the tinting of the glazing.