In this guide, we’ll review the benefits of using laminated glass in your commercial glass project. We’ll explore:
(click the text to jump to the section)
- What is Laminated Glass
- What Laminated Glass is Used For
- How Laminated Glass is Made
- The Cost of Laminated Glass
- Laminated vs. Insulated Glass: What About Combining Them?
- Addressing Safety and Security With Laminated Glass
- Communicating Your Needs to Your Glass Supplier
- Laminated Glass: A Versatile Choice
In a world full of uncertainties, it’s reassuring to have a guardian in the form of laminated glass.
This remarkable material offers more than just a clear view; it provides an almost impenetrable barrier, safeguarding what matters most. It’s the shield that combines function and dependability, an investment in more than just glass – it’s extra security, enhanced protection, long-lasting performance, and peace of mind.
Whether faced with accidental impacts or deliberate acts of vandalism, laminated glass serves as a formidable barrier, slowing down or outright stopping unwanted intrusions. In regions prone to extreme weather events, like hurricanes and tornadoes, it’s a critical building material, reducing the risk of broken glass from flying debris.
Laminated glass isn’t limited to a single purpose; it offers versatile applications. From entryway glass and ground-level facades to windows, railings, and display cases, it’s a go-to choice for those seeking both style and security.
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What is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass is a type of safety glass made by bonding two or more panes together with a clear interlayer. Typically, the interlayer is made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). When laminated glass breaks, the interlayer holds the shards of glass together, preventing them from scattering and causing injury.
What’s more, because it’s formed from multiple layers, laminated glass reduces noise.
Laminated glass can be fabricated to fit any space or feature any color your project demands.
Laminated glass offers several benefits over traditional glass, including:
- Safety: Laminated glass does not shatter into sharp pieces when broken. This makes it ideal for use in applications with a risk of breakage, such as storefronts, and skylights.
- Security: Laminated glass is also harder to break than traditional glass, making it a good choice for security applications.
- Soundproofing: Laminated glass can reduce noise transmission by muffling sound waves.
- UV protection: With specialized interlayers, laminated glass can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, which can help to protect furniture and artwork from fading.
- Energy efficiency: Laminated glass improves energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer. Laminated glass keeps excess heat from coming into a space during the summer but keeps warm air from escaping during the winter.
What is Laminated Glass Used For?
Laminated glass is an especially resilient type of glass that offers a unique blend of safety, security, sound insulation, and light transmission. This form of strengthened glazing is used for both residential as well as commercial applications, making it especially versatile.
Laminated glass is used in a wide variety of applications, including:
- Automotive glass
- Storefronts
- Skylights
- Sliding doors
- Glass railings
- Display cases
- Soundproof booths
- Bulletproof glass
- Entryway glass
- Customer service windows
- Glass partitions
Let’s take a look at how laminated glass can help your project:
Laminated Glass for Entryway Glass
Laminated glass makes a great entryway glass because of its strength and security. It can withstand accidental bumps or deliberate breakages. Laminated glass is also difficult to break through completely, making it a good choice for storefronts and other commercial applications.
Laminated Glass for Windows
Laminated glass makes a great entryway glass because of its strength and security. It can withstand accidental bumps or deliberate breakages. Laminated glass is also difficult to break through completely, making it a good choice for storefronts and other commercial applications.
Laminated Glass for Railings
A popular choice for railings, laminated glass doesn’t block a great view like other stair systems do. It’s strong, safe, and customizable to fit any space or design. Laminated glass railings are also a good choice for areas with high traffic, such as lobbies and airports.
Laminated Glass for Customer Service Windows
Its strength and durability make laminated glass perfect for customer service windows. It can withstand direct impacts and limits the chance of injury from broken shards to those on both sides.
Laminated Glass for Glass Partitions
Laminated glass is a durable material that works well for glass partitions. It can withstand bumps and dings from passersby, and it offers almost the same clarity as low-iron glass.
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How is Laminated Glass Made?
Laminated glass is made by bonding two or more panes of glass together with a clear interlayer. The interlayer is typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), but other materials such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) can also be used.
The glass panes are cleaned, an interlayer is then placed between the glass panes and the entire assembly is heated and pressed together.
The heat and pressure cause the glass panes and the interlayer to bond, forming a single piece of laminated glass.
A Step-By-Step Look at the Glass Laminating Process
During manufacturing, glass panes are cleaned to remove dirt/debris and then layered like a glass sandwich:
- The first pane of glass is placed on rollers
- The interlayer is applied
- The second glass pane is layered on top
- The piece is sent through an infrared oven to soften the interlayer, and then
- Roller-squeezed to push out air bubbles and form better adhesion between the panes. In this stage, the interlayer is visible between the glass panes
- Then the laminated panels are put in an autoclave oven and baked at a low temperature with high pressure – removing moisture and finalizing the bond between the glass panes and interlayer
- Laminated glass panels are removed from the autoclave and technicians scrape off any excess interlayer squeezed out from between the panes
- The laminated glass panels are now clear and placed on a conveyor line for inspection
Cost of Laminated Glass
Custom laminated glass may cost 2-4x more than regular glass. The final bill depends on several variables, including size, type, and thickness.
The laminated interlayer can add up to 5% to the cost of the window, while thicker laminates such as triple glazing, can cost even more. In addition to the cost of the laminate itself, installation typically adds additional expense since it requires special equipment and expert technicians.
Despite its higher cost, laminated glass provides exceptional safety benefits worth the extra cost. It’s an investment with a high rate of return. Consider it as insurance – it may never be used, but it goes a long way to prevent damage or theft.
Worried about the cost? Here’s a checklist for saving money on laminated glass:
- Order in bulk: The larger the order, the lower the price per square foot will be.
- Choose a standard size: Custom sizes are more expensive than standard sizes.
- Compare prices from multiple suppliers: Get quotes from multiple suppliers before purchasing.
- Consider using a different type of interlayer: PVB is the most common type of interlayer. It’s also the most expensive. Other types of interlayers are less expensive, such as EVA and SGP.
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Coated Glass — A Third Option
Coated glass is a type of glass that has been treated with a special coating to improve its performance. Coatings can be used to reduce light transmittance, reflect heat, or block UV rays. Coated glass can be used to improve the performance of both laminated glass and IGUs.
Combining Laminated Glass and IGUs
Insulated glass units (IGUs) are made with two or more panes of glass separated by spacers and filled with an inert gas, such as argon. This creates a barrier that helps to insulate the home, reducing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. IGUs can also help to reduce noise pollution.
It’s possible to combine laminated glass and IGUs to create a window that offers the benefits of both. This is done by using laminated glass as the outer layer of an IGU. This creates a window that is both safe and energy-efficient.
Custom Solutions
In some cases, a custom window solution that combines laminated glass and IGUs may be necessary.
If you need a window that is safe and secure, then choose laminated glass. Do you need an energy-efficient window? An IGU is a good choice. If you need a window that offers both safety and energy efficiency, then a laminated glass IGU is your best bet.
Addressing Safety and Security With Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is a valuable investment for any homeowner or business owner who wants to improve security and protection.
Laminated glass is stronger than other safety glasses due to its middle layer, which absorbs shock and prevents the glass from shattering when struck with significant force.
How does laminated glass compare to other safety glasses? Let’s dig in:
Comparing Glass Options: Laminated Glass, Tempered, Glass-Clad Polycarbonates, Acrylics, and Insulated Glass Units
Glass doesn’t have to be a fragile material that easily breaks. Laminated glass is stronger than annealed glass and is used in many safety applications. How does laminated glass stack up against glass-clad polycarbonate, polycarbonate, acrylics, and insulated glass units?
Let’s take a look:
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is made by bonding two or more layers of glass together with a clear interlayer, typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The interlayer holds the glass pieces together even when they break, which prevents them from scattering and causing injury. Laminated glass is also more resistant to sound and UV rays than regular glass.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is made by heating regular glass to a high temperature and then quickly cooling it. This process creates a compression layer on the glass surface, making it much stronger and more durable. Tempered glass is up to five times stronger than regular glass and more heat resistant.
Glass Clad Polycarbonate
Glass clad polycarbonate is made by laminating a polycarbonate core between two sheets of glass. The polycarbonate core provides the bulk of the strength, while the outer glass layer adds to the durability and longevity of the window. Glass clad polycarbonate is shatterproof and very resistant to impact.
Polycarbonates & Acrylics
Polycarbonates and acrylics are thermoplastics that are often used in place of traditional glass. They offer the clarity of conventional glass and provide far more strength and durability. Polycarbonates and acrylics are commonly used in security applications such as bulletproof windows and display cases.
Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)
IGUs are made with two or more panes of glass separated by a spacer and filled with air or inert gas. This helps reduce heat transfer through the window, making it more energy efficient than single-pane windows. IGUs can be made with laminated glass on both the inboard and outboard sides, which provides additional security.
Which Type of Safety Glass is Right for You?
Your project’s best type of safety glass will depend on your specific needs. Do you need strong and durable glass? Tempered safety glass is a good choice. If you need a glass that is also safe and secure, laminated glass is a better choice.
Comparing Laminated Glass With Other Glazing Options
This chart shows the difference between laminated glass and other types:
Laminated Glass | Tempered Glass | Glass Clad Polycarbonates | Polycarbonates | Acrylics | Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) | |
Strength | Slightly weaker than tempered glass | Up to five times stronger than regular glass | Up to 250 times stronger than regular glass | Up to 250 times stronger than regular glass | Up to 17 times stronger than regular glass | Not as strong as tempered, laminated, or glass clad polycarbonates |
Clarity | Very good | Very good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Very Good |
Durability | Very durable | Very durable | Extremely durable | Extremely durable | Very durable | Very durable |
Breakage | Stays together even when broken | Shatters into small, pebble-like pieces | Can shatter into small pieces, but the polycarbonate layer will help to hold it together | Can shatter into small pieces, but the polycarbonate layer will help to hold it together | Can shatter into small pieces | Does not shatter |
Safety | Safer than tempered glass, less likely to cause injury | Safer than regular glass, but can still cause injury | Very safe, even when broken | Very safe, even when broken | Very safe, even when broken | Very safe, even when broken |
Security | More difficult to break than tempered glass | More difficult to break than regular glass | Extremely difficult to break | Extremely difficult to break | Difficult to break | Not as secure as tempered, laminated, or glass clad polycarbonates |
Sound Insulation | Some soundproofing properties | No soundproofing properties | Good soundproofing properties | Good soundproofing properties | Good soundproofing properties | Excellent soundproofing properties |
UV protection | Some UV protection | No UV protection | Good UV protection | Good UV protection | Good UV protection | Excellent UV protection |
Commercial Uses | Storefronts, office partitions, bank windows, hurricane windows | Car windshields, oven doors, tabletops, microwave doors, freezer doors | Skylights, security windows, bulletproof glass, display cases, greenhouses | Signs, safety glasses, skylights, greenhouses, machine guards | Display cases, signs, skylights, light fixtures, point-of-sale displays | Windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls |
Cost | High | Medium | Highest | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Advantages | Very strong and resistant to breakage | Much stronger than regular glass and less likely to shatter | Extremely strong and durable | Lightweight and durable | Lightweight and clear | Good thermal insulation and sound insulation properties |
Disadvantages | Heavier than other types of glass | Can still shatter if struck with significant force | Very expensive | Can be scratched or scuffed more easily than glass | Can be scratched or scuffed more easily than glass | Heavier than other types of glass |
Other Factors to Consider
When choosing security glass, it’s also important to consider the following factors:
- The type of building: Security glass is crucial for homes and businesses in high-crime areas. It is also necessary for schools, hospitals, and other public buildings.
- The type of windows: Security glass should be used in all windows, including ground-floor windows and windows that are easily accessible.
- The climate: If you live in a climate with extreme weather conditions, such as high winds or hail, you should choose a type of security glass resistant to these conditions.
Security glass is a valuable investment that can help protect your home or business from burglary, vandalism, and other threats. When choosing security glass, consider your specific needs and budget.
Communicating Your Needs to Your Glass Supplier
To order custom laminated glass, you will need to provide your supplier with the following information:
Overall Thickness
The frame size must be appropriate for the thickness of the laminated glass being used. Thinner frames may not be able to support thicker pieces.
Annealed or Tempered Glass?
Annealed glass is standard glass. Tempered glass is stronger and more durable than annealed glass. However, it cannot be cut or shaped after tempering.
Special Tolerances
Tell your supplier if the piece goes in a frame with special tolerances to ensure it’s cut and fabricated to the correct size.
Interlayer
The interlayer is the layer of material that bonds the two pieces of glass together. Different types of interlayers are available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Your supplier can help you choose the right interlayer for your needs.
Project Application
Your supplier will need to know how the piece fits into your project to recommend the appropriate thickness and type of glass.
Fabrication Requirements
Let your glass manufacturer know if the piece requires special fabrication, such as holes, notches, or beveling.
Technical Drawings & Other Important Information
Technical drawings help your glass fabricator understand your needs and ensure the piece is made to your specifications.
Supplying Your Fabrication Needs
Fabricators cut custom laminated glass panels to size and polish their edges based on customer specifications. Since most vendors keep laminated in stock, it’s a quick answer for projects needing safety glass.
To create finished pieces that fit your vision and your project space, laminated glass can be fabricated with:
- Edgework – Removing sharp sides, while improving and accenting a piece’s appearance. Edgework can also meet safety, performance, and cleanliness needs and aids in chip prevention.
- Cutouts – Adding speak holes or pass-throughs, in partitions, for instance, to allow as little interference as possible while conducting business.
- Shaping – Using CNC machines, water jets, and drill presses, glass is cut to traditional geometric shapes as well as arches, gables, and decorative shapes.
- V-grooving – Similar to chiseling, intricate designs are cut into the glass surface to add interest and increase reflectivity.
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Laminated Glass: A Versatile Choice
Laminated glass is a truly versatile and innovative material. It offers several advantages over regular glass, including improved safety, durability, security, UV protection, and soundproofing. Laminated glass can be used in several applications, from windows and doors to store fronts and skylights.
Whether you are looking for a way to improve the safety of your home or office or simply looking for a beautiful and durable material for your next project, laminated glass has much to offer your project.
Is Laminated Glass Right for You?
Want to learn more about laminated glass? Contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your needs and help you choose the right laminated glass product for your project.
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