What Is Laminate Glass?
Are you shopping for new replacement windows but unsure if you need laminated glass? As an experienced window dealer in Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, we’ve encountered our fair share of situations where laminate glass made sense. Keep reading as we explain this type of glass, when it’s practical, and whether you should consider it for your home.
What is laminate glass?
Laminate glass is used in residential windows to provide extra protection. It includes two or more glass sheets laminated with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer, offering superior protection against shattering and intrusion. The laminated layer holds shattered glass together should an intruder attempt to break in or if something collides into the window. This makes them far safer than standard residential windows and reduces noise while soundproofing rooms. Additionally, it can reduce noise from outside traffic or other outdoor noises, provide ultraviolet protection from damaging UV rays, and improve the structural security of windows. Whether looking for enhanced safety or increased comfort, laminated glass windows offer it all for your home.
Is it like tempered glass?
They look similar but act differently once broken. The tempered glass in home windows will break into small pebble-like pieces and eventually fall to the ground. Laminate glass, however, will adhere to the interlayer between the glass when it breaks, making for a cleaner and safer environment around the broken glass. Tempered glass strength comes from heating and cooling the glass during production, while laminate glass strength comes from its sandwich of glass layers and pvb.
Is laminated glass better than tempered?
Both glass options provide high strength and breakage resistance, but laminated glass adds soundproofing and UV resistance. The added benefits of laminate glass make it better than tempered glass. Laminated glass is stronger and stiffer than regular glass. However, tempered glass is stronger than laminated.
Is laminated glass shatterproof?
Yes, but don’t confuse that term with unbreakable. Shatterproof means that when it’s broken, it won’t fall out of the frame and is safer for everyone around and safer to clean than traditional annealed or even tempered glass.
Cost
Depending on the selected options, laminate glass is more expensive than typical annealed glass and can be more than tempered glass. The price of laminate glass is impacted by its size, shape, and additional options like colors, tints, and overall thickness.
Energy efficiency
It depends on what other options are selected with the laminated glass. Cardinal makes an energy-efficient glass called LoE 366 which is available in laminated glass. If selected, dual-pane laminate glass with LoE 366 & argon can be twice as efficient as single-pane clear glass.
Why put laminate glass in replacement windows?
The support for laminate comes from its ability to withstand flying debris. Think hurricanes and golf balls. It is best served to present forced entry where tempered glass is best for safety applications.
We field a lot of requests from local golf communities around Dallas and Fort Worth, TX, who want a window that provides better protection from incoming golf balls. A piece of laminate glass in your windows will keep a golf ball from creating a hole in the glass and creating a dangerous scene. When a golf ball hits a piece of laminate glass, it will make a spider web crack and possibly a dent, but the glass will remain intact, and no hole will be in the glass.
Depending on the strength of severe weather, laminate windows may also protect your home from flying debris. As hurricanes and tornadoes pick up wind speed and hurl objects, laminate glass can almost catch the debris in a way that keeps the glass intact. This enhancement provides additional safety and security for anyone who lives in tornado or hurricane zones.
Pros
The surrounding area is safer if broken because the glass won’t fall onto the floor.
It has enhanced sound reduction in rooms with laminate glass in the windows.
It makes it harder for intruders to break in by simply breaking window glass.
It can be hurricane-rated for protection from flying debris.
Cons
It can be two to three times as expensive as annealed glass.
Replacing laminate glass in case of a stress crack or failed seal is more expensive than replacing traditional glass.
Should you get laminate glass in your new replacement windows?
We rarely install replacement windows with laminate glass in and around Dallas, Fort Worth, TX. The biggest hurdle is the cost of the enhanced benefits. Most homeowners don’t think it’s worth twice as much to have a window that isn’t as messy when it breaks. Replacing annealed or tempered broken glass is cheaper than laminating, so it isn’t used very often.
In closing
We hope this article has helped you better understand the pros and cons of laminate glass. If you have more questions or want help choosing the right windows for your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help however we can. After all, that’s what we do! If you live in DFW, we’d love to look at your home to make recommendations based on our years of experience in the industry.
Our window partner, Alside, provided the cover image.
