Laminated glass is one of the fantastic alternatives when it comes to comparison with a normal glass. The best benefit of using laminated glass is that you get a tough, robust structure that is hard to break. It is also suitable in so many different ways and the material is also growing in popularity. If you are thinking of adding glass to your business or home then you really should consider adding in a laminated glass. Well if you still don’t know much about what is a laminated glass or how is laminated glass made then here is a detailed guide on the same while also listing out the benefits of laminated glass that you get.
What is Laminated Glass?
So what is a laminated glass? Laminated glass is a type of glass that is constructed with the help of two plies of glass which are bonded together with interlayers to form a permanent bond. The interlayers tend to support and hold the glass to create a uniform and strong layer even when they are broken. Laminated glass comes in a variety of thicknesses and can be created using different glass combinations and coatings to provide multiple qualities. These include low-emission glass or increased insulation glass.
How is Laminated Glass Made?
Well now comes the next question of how is laminated glass made. While it is an elongated process here’s a gist of how it is done. It is made by sandwiching two layers of PVB or polyvinyl butyral or structural interlayer material in between two or more plies of glass. The layers are usually bonded together with both chemical and mechanical bonds.
Materials Used
While there are different materials that are used to provide various strengths to the glass some of the commonly used materials could be provided as follows.
- Two or more plies of glass
- PVB or structural interlayer material
Production Process
High pressure and temperature are applied during this process of production to ensure there are no air bubbles being formed through the glass layers and is forming a tough seal. The glass is thus strengthened enough to resist any sort of stress applied to it. In case of breakage, the sharper pieces present that could cause injuries are held together which forms a web-like pattern. A typical PVB laminated glass could have a thickness of about 0.38 mm and there might be multiple layers of 0.38 that may be laminated together to give an even stronger glass panel. This is exactly how shatterproof glass or bulletproof glasses are made.
Benefits of Laminated Glass
There are plenty of benefits when it comes to the usage of laminated glass. A few of the benefits of laminated glass and why they are one of the most popular choices among modern homeowners can be provided as follows.
Safety and Security
Laminated glass is often one of the best choices when it comes to protecting people from glass breakage. It can also be used in a variety of ways to provide increased safety and security. Under sufficient impact force it is seen that laminated glass will break however the glass fragments get stuck to the plastic interlayer and remain intact which reduces the risk of injury. This is especially important in places where there is a high risk of glass falling from a high-rise building.
Noise Reduction
Acoustic laminated glass also adds a great benefit of noise reduction which helps to reduce noise levels so that people can be more comfortable in workspaces and their living areas. There are specifically designed acoustic interlayers that help reduce vibrations and significantly improve the sound insulation as compared to any other standard glass used for windows.
UV Protection
Another one of the main benefits of laminated glass that one needs to know about is its UV protection properties. When an architect designs a house where there needs to be plenty of sunlight without having to damage any internal furniture of property they tend to use laminated glass. This laminated glass can absorb up to 99 percent of the damaging UV rays which is mainly responsible for up to 50 percent of fading in furniture.
Durability
The heat-strengthened and tempered glass can also be added onto laminated glass to make it even more durable. This also strengthens the impact resistance. This type of laminated glass is often used in places where forced entry and hail protection are a concern.
Common Applications of Laminated Glass
Due to its shatterproof and strength qualities, laminated glass has a wide range of applications no matter whether it is in commercial or residential sectors. The security properties of laminated glass are useful in areas where there needs to be high security such as jewelry stores, banks, or art galleries. Here is a list of all the [ and where they are commonly found.
Architectural Uses
In architecture, laminated glass has become a standard building component for various applications such as windows, doors, and skylights. It is also the perfect material for any high-rise building because of its high strength and safety features which gives both the builders and the residents a feeling of dependability and security. These are also found most commonly in places where theft and burglary cases are high. Also for disaster-prone areas such as places that have hurricanes and tornadoes hitting laminated glass could be a great fit.
Automotive Uses
Laminated glass is used in windshields in the automotive industry which is also one of its most widespread use. The PVB layer which is present between the two plies of glass is a barrier that stops the glass from shattering even in the event of an impact. This vital component mainly reduces the possibility of serious injuries that could have otherwise occurred if there were people in the car during collisions.
Specialty Uses
A laminated glass is found in prisons as a barrier to protect the premises and even the prisoners. Due to its strong resistant capacity, it is also used as a bulletproof glass. Especially with the rising rate of crimes and terrorism in urban spaces, the usage of bulletproof glasses has become more important than ever. It could also be used widely in national and international offices to add another level of security.
Comparison: Laminated Glass vs. Tempered Glass
Whether you are looking for glass to be functional or decorative you always come across two different options such as laminated glass vs tempered glass. While they both get qualified as safety glasses however each of them has its own pros and cons. Here are a few points for you to consider before deciding on which glass you might want.
Strength and Durability
When it comes to strength and durability, laminated glass is quite strong and can withstand the force of even a bullet or a rock without shattering or falling off from the door or window frame. This strength can be due to the various glass layers along with the resin being present in between the interlayers. What’s more, due to the heating process and the pressure that is applied during the manufacturing process the glass is made up to 5 times stronger and 100 times stiffer than your standard glass.
On the other hand, you can see that tempered glass is also known for its resistance to force and strength. Throughout the manufacture, the glass undergoes various chemical treatments apart from heat and pressure impacts to make it tougher. Because of this tempered glass is considered to be much more stronger than laminated glass since it can resist even stronger impacts than any laminated glass.
Safety Features
When looking at the laminated glass vs tempered glass comparison another one of the features you might want to consider would be the safety feature. Due to its varied characteristics, laminated glass is quite often found in situations where tempered glass might not be a suitable option and vice versa. However, there are also multiple places where both glasses are used simultaneously for better security.
Commercial building owners who prioritize security for their valuables often consider installing laminated glasses. Laminated glass is especially used here since there is a need to stop forced entry and safeguard the valuables. The interlayer makes it especially hard to crack for burglars and get inside the space.
Tempered glass is also suitable for skyscrapers and commercial buildings with huge windows. This way the people inside are protected by harsh weather while getting wonderful views.
Cost Differences
While you check the difference between laminated glass vs tempered glass the cost differences also come into play. Due to the complexity of the manufacturing process involved it is seen that laminated glass is more expensive than tempered glass. The manufacturing glass utilizes resin and glass panes. The heating and pressure treatment process also adds on to the cost as compared to tempered glass.
Tempered glass is also costly to purchase and is more expensive than normal glass however they are less expensive than laminated glass.
Why Choose Finepoint for Best Quality?
Well, now are you looking for high-quality laminated glass? Then you need not look further than Finepoint Glass since you get the best quality of products without any compromise to any of your needs. Our high-quality laminated glass also offers a high level of intrusion resistance apart from providing 90 percent noise insulation and could be used in a variety of ways. You can use it in either windows or canopies, roof lights, or skylights as you wish. So why do you need to think further? Just give us a call and get your needs fulfilled.
Conclusion
The introduction of laminated glass has surely changed the way in which safety and security have been working. Its adaptability and efficiency in architecture, automotive, and various other fields have emphasized on its important function of safeguarding both people and assets. Well not to mention it is also one of the major choices among most of the builders and residents due to its improved safety and security, UV protection, and noise reduction properties. It is also being anticipated that as technology evolves there will be more groundbreaking substances that will ensure the protection of people from various issues.
FAQs
1. Can laminated glass be used in residential buildings?
Whenever it comes to protection against calamities such as earthquakes or fire laminated glass is an excellent choice that is mainly used in buildings, commercial spaces, residential homes, and airports.
2. Is laminated glass more expensive than regular glass?
Cost wise yes, laminated glass is on the higher side than the regular glass which is available in the market. This is due to the complex manufacturing process involved in creating it.
3. How does laminated glass reduce noise?
Laminated glass consists of two glass panels along with an interlayer. When loud sound passes through them, the vibrations get reduced and the sounds become muffled as compared to those that pass through regular glass.
4. How do I clean and maintain laminated glass?
All you need for cleaning your laminated glass is a soft cloth and some warm water. You can also occasionally use non-aggressive glass cleaners to maintain them.
5. How does laminated glass improve safety?
The strong interlayer that is present in between the two glasses makes it impossible to break through even when it is hit by a heavy object.
Author Bio
Anant Gajjar, Finepoint Glass Ltd CEO, has over 16 years of experience in the glazing industry as an entrepreneur and a structural engineer. He has completed his Master of Sciences (MSc) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Sciences (BSc in Civil Engineering) both in London and in India. Anant has a passion for travelling and creating meaningful connections worldwide.