Quick answer

Before you order a replacement insulating glass unit (IGU), you need to know the glass thickness, the air space, the overall unit thickness, and the Low-E coating type. A glass thickness gauge from EDTM, the Glass-Chek PRO (GC3001), measures glass, air space, and overall thickness and detects Low-E coatings, so you can order the right replacement unit instead of guessing. According to EDTM, with one button push the Glass-Chek PRO tells you the exact replacement IG unit to order.

Why verify an IGU before you order a replacement?

Ordering the wrong unit costs time and money, and the coating is a big part of the risk. EDTM's product information explains why:

•             Energy performance. Using the wrong Low-E coating can negatively affect the energy performance of a window.

•             Appearance. The coating significantly affects how a window reflects light. If you use a coating inconsistent with the rest of the building, the window can look significantly different from the others.

•             Wasted orders. Determining the glass thickness characteristics and the Low-E type up front reduces incorrect IG unit orders, which saves time and money and improves customer satisfaction.

A glass thickness measuring tool that stops at thickness leaves the coating question open. Brand X-style gauges in that category give you part of the answer. The Glass-Chek line is built to give you the rest.

What does a glass thickness gauge measure on an installed window?

The Glass-Chek PRO measures:

•             Glass thickness for each pane

•             Air space thickness

•             Overall IG unit thickness

•             Triple-pane units: glass, air space, and overall thickness, all with a single push

•             Low-E coating presence, and the type: hard coat or soft coat

•             For soft coats, whether the coating is single, double, or triple silvered

It works on residential and commercial glass, with an expanded thickness range of approximately 2 inches (improved from 1.2 inches). It is also compatible with new Low-E coatings, suspended film such as Heat Mirror, and tinted glass, and it displays the total thickness of laminated glass.

Whether you search for a glass thickness gauge, a glass thickness measuring tool, or a MIG thickness gauge, the goal is the same: know exactly what is in the window before you place the order.

How do you use a glass thickness gauge before ordering?

The exact button sequence is in the operator's manual, so follow that. These are the points EDTM's product information highlights:

1.          Check the operating mode. The Welcome Screen shows the current operating mode. Make sure it matches the application you are working on.

2.          Measure in the bottom center of the window. The Welcome Screen shows a reminder graphic to take all measurements there, because the bottom center offers the most accurate and repeatable measurement location.

3.          Push the button and read the results. Use the ARROW keys to advance to the next results screen or go back to the previous one, at your own pace.

4.          Record glass, air space, overall thickness, and Low-E type. These are what you hand to the supplier.

5.          Choose your display format. The Glass-Chek PRO can show actual values, or values rounded to ASTM Standards in fractions (in inches), thousandths of an inch, or decimal millimeters, among other options. Pick the format your supplier uses.

Why does the Low-E type matter when you replace glass?

When the Glass-Chek PRO detects a Low-E coating, it displays whether the coating is hard coat or soft coat. If it is a soft coat, the meter classifies it as single, double, or triple silvered. That tells you what you are replacing, in the factory or in the field.

If you know the glass manufacturer, you can often identify the specific Low-E coating used from that information. EDTM states that the Glass-Chek PRO and Glass-Chek ELITE are the only tools that tell you the precise coating needed to replace glass properly.

Can you find the Low-E coating from one side of the window?

Yes, for double-pane windows. The Glass-Chek PRO can locate a Low-E coating on a double-pane window from a single side. That matters on multi-story buildings, where you often only have access to the inside of the window.

With the older GC3000 model, a coating on the far pane could only be confirmed as being on surface 3 or 4. With the GC3001, the detector confirms that the Low-E coating was found on surface 3. EDTM notes this is not applicable for certain window types, so check the manual for your window.

What changed from the older GC3000 to the GC3001?

•             Push-button ARROW control to advance or revert results screens, instead of waiting for screens to run automatically

•             A smooth membrane switch front panel, instead of a protruding power switch and button guard

•             Improved Low-E detection, including confirming surface 3

•             An easier menu system (hold the ARROW key) for operating modes, units of measure, languages, and screen advance speeds

•             More languages: English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and Danish

•             A robust LCD display and a higher-precision laser for more accurate readings

Glass-Chek PRO or Glass-Chek ELITE?

Choose the PRO for standard IG replacement work. Choose the ELITE if you also run into laminated glass, or want the graphical display and its numbered glass surfaces to see the exact makeup of a window. In its special operating mode, the ELITE can identify which piece of glass has the Low-E coating when the Low-E surface is placed against the laminate inner layer. P

What else can a glass thickness gauge do?

The Glass-Chek PRO is suited to more than replacement ordering:

•             Measure single, double, and triple-pane windows in production, at the job site, or in the field

•             Check that Low-E coatings are oriented properly during installation, inspection, or production

•             Measure glass deflection in sealed IG window assemblies

•             Measure thickness on many automotive applications

•             Support new or experienced installers, production personnel, building inspectors, and surveyors

It runs on a common 9-volt alkaline battery, and the included protective carrying case helps protect it in the field.

Why buy a glass thickness gauge from EDTM?

EDTM designed and developed every element of the Glass-Chek PRO and manufactures the meters in its Toledo, Ohio plant. EDTM says its glass testing equipment has been trusted by over 5,000 companies worldwide over the last 25 years, and that expert service is a phone call away if you have a technical question. To ask about the right gauge for your work, visit edtm.com or call (419) 861-1030.

Frequently asked questions

What is a glass thickness gauge?

A glass thickness gauge, also sold as a glass thickness gauge meter, is a handheld instrument that measures glass thickness, air space, and overall IG unit thickness without taking the window apart. The Glass-Chek PRO also detects Low-E coatings.

How do I know which replacement IGU to order?

Measure the glass, air space, and overall thickness, and identify the Low-E coating type. EDTM states that with one button push, the Glass-Chek PRO tells you the exact replacement IG unit to order.

Can a glass thickness measuring tool detect Low-E coatings?

The Glass-Chek PRO and ELITE can. They display whether the coating is hard or soft, and whether a soft coat is single, double, or triple silvered.

Where on the window should I measure?

In the bottom center. EDTM says it offers the most accurate and repeatable measurement location.

Can I measure triple-pane windows?

Yes. The Glass-Chek PRO measures glass, air space, and overall IG thickness of triple-pane windows with a single push.