Difference Between Laminated Glass and Tempered Glass
Due to the plastic layer that is baked in between the two pieces of glass, laminated glass will crack but stay together while tempered glass shatters into smaller pieces. Tempered glass is thought to be stronger than laminated glass when it comes to breaking resistance. Stronger and more rigid than regular glass by five times. The best option for windows and other glass structures in your household is tempered glass, also known as safety glass. During the manufacturing process, tempered glass is heated and quickly cooled, giving it a four-fold increase in strength over the untreated glass.
Laminated Glass
A thin vinyl layer is sandwiched between two layers of glass to create laminated glass. This results in a thicker, more durable window. They are not easily broken or shattered, making them one of the safest types of glass. Laminated glass is used for the majority of car windshields. Due to the difficulty involved in breaking them, they are regarded as being effective at preventing break-ins.
Tempered Glass
For the exact same reason that laminated glass is utilized for windshields, tempered glass is employed. Compared to laminated glass, tempered glass is much more brittle and can be produced in one of two ways. Chemicals or a specific heating and fast cooling procedure can be used to temper glass.
How does Safety Glass Is Made?
In order to create laminated safety glass, the producer sandwiched a thin layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), a flexible clear plastic film, between two or more pieces of glass. When the glass breaks, the plastic film keeps the glass in place, reducing the risk of injuries from flying glass.
There are two ways to make safety glass. It can be made by either heat treating glass sheets to make them stronger or by laminating two sheets of regular glass together with a thin plastic interlayer. Laminating two pieces of glass with a sheet of plastic inside the middle creates safety glass.
Laminated vs. Tempered Glass
The applications of the various glass types may also be taken into account when comparing tempered glass and laminated glass.
Their application varies frequently as a result of their different strengths. Both laminated and tempered glass windows are an option, depending on the user's preferences.
Owners of residential and commercial buildings who want to protect their valuables and homes should think about laminated glass.
Commercial buildings, where it is necessary to avoid forced entry and protect valuables, require laminated glass doors and windows in particular. In laminated glass, the interlayer forms a significant barrier that is challenging for attackers and buglers to breach.
UV resistance:
In essence, laminated glass is a glass sandwich. It is constructed of two or more plies of glass sandwiched—if you will—between layers of vinyl, much like the windshield of a car. In the event that one piece is broken, the glass will typically stay together, making it a safety glazing material.
The fact that laminated glass can be cut and polished after laminating, has sound-dampening qualities, and blocks 99 percent of UV light transmission are additional benefits. Lead times are also typically shorter since most glass shops keep laminated glass in stock. Even burglar- and bullet-resistant security glass can be made of some types of thicker, multilayered laminated glass.
Cost:
On average, laminated glass costs more than tempered glass. Laminated glazings were previously three to four times as expensive as tempered glass. Windshields must be made of laminated glass, per auto industry regulations. Laminated glass is becoming more and more popular for side and rear windows.
Safety Factors:
When it comes to how the glass breaks, laminated and tempered glass are both safer than regular glass. In contrast to unlaminated glass, which falls to the ground when it breaks, laminated glass sticks to the plastic or polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer that holds it together. Tempered glass reduces the risk of injury and makes cleanup much simpler by shattering into rounded cubes rather than sharp fragments.
Superior soundproofing is an additional security benefit of laminated glass. This contributes to the quietness of your home and prevents any potential intruders from having heard what happens inside. Laminated glass can also keep outside noise out of your house if you live close to an airport, busy intersection, or other noisy areas.
Installation:
The installation process is one of laminated glass's biggest drawbacks. The installation of the heavy glass can take several days and requires only qualified professionals. Only a professional can make any changes or replacements to the glass. Tempered glass also needs to be professionally installed, but the procedure is quicker.
Minor repairs are possible if there is minor damage. There won't be any loss of strength or clarity when done properly. Tempered glass, in contrast to laminated glass, cannot be fixed. The only option when glass is damaged is to completely replace it. However, it's unlikely that you will experience a lot of damage given the toughness of tempered glass.
Where to Install Them:
Tempered glass, like laminated glass, is designed for use in locations where it may endanger people. Similarly to laminated glass, tempered glass is used in automobiles. While the windshield is made of laminated glass, the rear and passenger seat windows of a car must be made of tempered glass. Light fixtures, fridge shelves, oven doors, rain doors, shower door frames, and bathroom areas all contain tempered glass.
According to building codes, both tempered and laminated glass are regarded safety glazing, but only laminated glass can stop a hole from forming in a fractured panel, which explains its widespread use in building envelopes. Many glass shops keep laminated glass on hand. It can be cut to size, but not as easily as annealed glass, to repair window glazing, for instance. Tempered glass is less useful for making custom sizes because it must be cut, drilled, curved, etc. before tempering. However, it is perfect for finished products like tabletops and shower doors. Tempered glass is frequently used in refrigerator display cases.
Which one do you need?
Remember that laminated glass is much more costly than tempered glass, but both are considered to be safety glass.
Although tempered glass is more frequently used in home windows and doors, laminated glass is stronger. Laminated glass is rarely used in residential construction because of its high cost.
Laminated glass offers UV resistance, additional security, and soundproofing while tempered glass offers strength and breakage resistance. As long as they are properly installed, all these types of glass are simple to maintain and clean.
