When building your own house, you want to ensure that your windows and doors are safe from high winds. Or maybe you would like to change them from wood to safety glass doors and windows. Whatever your purpose, investing in safety glass would be a wise decision.
But what is a safety glass?
Safety glass is the kind of glass that is not likely to break. If it does, it will not cause injury to humans. This glass is also designed to be fire-resistant, bulletproof, and others. The two types of safety glass are laminated glass and toughened glass.
What is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that consists of 2 or more panels of glass bonded together with an interlayer of flexible plastic resin or polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The interlayers hold and support the glass, creating a strong layer, even when shattered. They come in different thicknesses and can be manufactured using various combinations of glasses and coatings to give different qualities, such as increased insulation or low emissions.
They can also be referred to as toughened laminated glass.
These bonded glass plies were originally designed for car windshields to protect passengers from injuries during a car accident. These days, however, this type of safety glass is used in doors and windows, as well as the following:
- Shelving Shower doors
- Security glass Partition walls
What is Toughened Glass?
Toughened glass is also referred to as tempered glass. It is another type of safety glass that rapidly reheats and cools the regular glass. The thermal treatment increases the strength of the glass by 4-7 times. The tempering process also makes this glass; resistant to shattering because it can bend without breaking.
Tempered glass is used commonly in skylights, doors, and windows and other household uses that include:
- Table tops, greenhouse glass
- Mirrors, glass floors, and some others
- Balustrades
How do you know which safety glass is best for your home?
You cannot find the type of glass perfect for any project; the best way to find out is by knowing its pros and cons. You can weigh these through the following categories:
Safety and Security
Both types of glass are safer than regular glass; when it comes to noise reduction, laminated glass is superior in soundproofing.
Cost
Laminated glass is more highly-priced than toughened glass because the former has a more complicated process of manufacture.
Installation and Maintenance
Laminated glass is more difficult to install, usually requiring the skills of a trained professional, and the process can take longer. The installation process for toughened glass is not as long.
Minor repairs are possible with laminated glass, when it has minor damage. That is not the same with tempered glass; you must replace the damaged glass.
Whether you’re looking to replace your windows or door with safety glass or need a repair job, contact VMS Plus. We are a team of dedicated glass manufacturers and installers, and we are happy to assist you, especially if you need help defining the difference between laminated and toughened glass. Call us, and let’s talk.
