Glass is an incredible material that has revolutionised the way buildings have been constructed over the centuries. By allowing light and warmth to enter but keeping out cold air, it has changed the way buildings are designed. Traditionally, however, there was one weakness and that was the fragility of glass. Single-paned glass could rattle, crack and smash without too much provocation which could lead to the need for replacements and be potentially very dangerous – as the shards can be extremely sharp. However, over the years, glazing engineers have been able to solve these issues by creating toughened (or tempered) glass, as well as using laminated glass with a clear plastic insert to add strength and security.
Glass has been developed to be incredibly tough and durable while maintaining all of the original properties that made it so desirable in the construction industry. Below we take a closer look at how both toughened and laminated glass were able to take the basic properties of glass and add extra dimensions of safety, security and usability.
The Benefits of Toughened Glass
One of the key benefits of toughened glass is that it is…toughened! In fact, it can be up to five times stronger than normal glass, which is achieved by heating the material to a very high temperature and then rapidly cooling it. This creates a tough outer layer that can withstand impacts and temperature changes. As well as impressive strength, the high levels of thermal resistance means it can cope with high temperatures so it’s ideal for bathrooms and kitchens.
Another key benefit is that even when toughened glass does break, it breaks into small blunt pieces and not dangerous shards. This eliminates the potential of people getting hurt in the case of an accident or a situation where the glass may break.
The Benefits of Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is made by using two or more pieces of glass and sandwiching layers of clear plastic between them, usually made from EVA or PVB. A high pressure roller is then applied to help both mechanical and chemical bonds form. This makes the glass extra strong.
The plastic layer adds a high amount of additional strength and holds the structure even if breakages do occur. This also makes it an ideal choice as a security material as it maintains strength even when it is broken. No shards scatter as it is all held together by the plastic sheet and there are additional sound reduction and UV radiation properties to consider too.
Both laminated and toughened glass can be used for a variety of safety and security purposes, such as shower screens, shop fronts, balustrades, green houses, security doors and more. These durability and security properties are also widely used for domestic and commercial windows and doors, providing the piece of mind that it can keep intruders out and those inside the building safe from harm.
To find out more about laminated glass vs toughened glass or to discover how Alpha Glazing can help you with any of your windows, doors and glazing needs, get in touch with our team today.
