Whether you have a home or own a commercial building, making an investment in safety glass has significant importance in maintaining an adequate level of safety.
It helps create a safe space for you that is immune to strong winds and break-in attempts. On hearing the phrase “safety glass,” two options instantly pop up in the mind: tempered and laminated glass.
Whether you need safety glass for a functional application or an aesthetic one, both laminated and tempered glass come forth as decent options.
Both of them can be used in indoor as well as outdoor applications, including skylights, railings, building facades, and other potentially risky purposes.
Tempered and laminated glass come under the category of safety glass, but their benefits are both unique and diverse. Read this awesome blog post on laminated glass vs tempered glass to choose the right safety glass according to your requirements.
Contents
What Is Laminated Glass?
Two or more panes of annealed or heat-strengthened glass are joined together to achieve a laminated glass pane. The glass panes are held together with a layer of resinous plastic. Heat or pressure is used to fuse the glass panes together, creating a glass sandwich.
Skylights, glass floors, security glass, shower doors, windows, partition walls, railings, and car windshields are common applications of laminated safety glass. Laminated glass can block up to 97% of UV radiation, so it is perfect for use in spaces that are exposed to sunlight. It is incredibly energy efficient and exceptionally strong.
Pros of Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is known for its exceptional strength. But that’s not all. There are a number of other benefits to laminated glass as well. Let’s have a look.
Security:
Laminated glass is an extremely safe option for the main floors of the home or commercial buildings. It is potentially impossible to break the laminated glass. Even on repeated hard impacts, the laminated glass stays intact in the frame. Thus preventing any forced break-ins.
Shatter-Proof:
Laminated glass is a shatterproof safety glass. Therefore it is used in windows, doors and automotive windshields to lower the possibility of injuries as well as the effects of vandalism attempts. It is a great option for use in regions that are vulnerable to extreme weather.
UV Protection:
Laminated glass offers 97 to 99% UV protection. This property makes it ideal for use in residential and commercial applications that are directly exposed to sunlight. It also saves the furniture and carpet from fading due to UV rays.
Soundproofing:
Laminated glass provides soundproofing. It can be even more effective when used in conjunction with double glazing. It is therefore perfect for use in meeting rooms, conference halls, and office walls.
Cons of Laminated Glass
There is not much to mention about the cons of laminated glass. However, a few of the drawbacks are as follows.
Cost:
Laminated glass has multiple glass panes in its structure, which increases its cost value. It comes at a higher price than tempered glass.
Accessibility:
Laminated glass has an extensive manufacturing process and requires special tools and equipment. So it is hard to access laminated glass compared to other glass types.
Limited Design Variations:
Unlike tempered glass, laminated glass is only available in a limited design. This lack of design friendliness makes it less versatile.
What Is Tempered Glass?
Safety glass that is toughened using heat or chemicals is termed tempered glass. The process of strengthening the annealed glass is referred to as the tempering process.
Standard glass is transformed into tempered glass by heating it to a very high temperature and then quickly cooling it down. Tempered glass is 4 to 7 times stronger than annealed glass of the same dimension and thickness.
Compared to laminated glass, tempered glass only consists of one piece of glass. It is generally used in furniture, skyscrapers, home appliances, mirrors, phones, and computer screens.
Pros of Tempered Glass
The many benefits of using tempered glass are as follows.
Safety:
Tempered glass is categorized as safety glass due to its strength and safety value. First of all, it is pretty hard to break. But if, in any case, due to repeated hard impacts, a tempered glass panel breaks, it shatters into small and smooth pieces.
These fragments are entirely harmless. So there are no chances of injuries even if the tempered glass breaks. So it could be a great option in public area applications where vandalism damage is a possibility. Decorative windows, storefronts, rotating doors, and furniture items are all mostly made of tempered glass.
Strength:
The tempering process lends enough strength to the tempered glass to endure hard impacts.
Heat Resistant:
Tempered glass is prepared by heating glass to a very high temperature. This process makes it heat-resistant. It can endure up to 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore tempered glass can be used in applications where heat may be a concern.
Various Design Options:
Tempered glass is available in different designs to suit the design requirements of different applications. Tints, patterns, and textures can easily be added to tempered glass sheets to achieve highly customizable glass panels.
Affordability:
Tempered glass is easily available. Moreover, it is cheaper than laminated glass.
Cons of Tempered Glass:
Tempered glass is an excellent choice for everyday applications. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind while using tempered glass.
No Alterations:
Tempered glass cannot be drilled or cut after manufacturing. The tint, design, size, and all other elements must be incorporated into the glass before the tempering process.
Wrapping up The Discussion:
The use of safety glass has increased for indoor and outdoor applications. From commercial facades to windows, and railings to shower doors, safety glass is the preferred choice for every application.
When comparing laminated glass vs. tempered glass, it is clear that both can be great choices for homes and businesses that want to improve the security and safety of their glass. Nonetheless, the choice varies according to the application.
The phrase “safety glass” exudes reliability and durability. That’s why many homeowners choose to invest in safety glass. Laminated and tempered glass are the two most popular safety glass types.
Both of them have advantages and disadvantages too. How do you determine which is best for you? Well, it depends on the specifications of the application and your personal preferences.
You can evaluate the right option by understanding the project requirements and determining which glass type would work best for your requirements.
