What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that holds together when shattered. In the event of breaking, it is held in place by an interlayer, typically of polyvinyl butyral, between its two layers of double strength glass. The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken, and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. In geographical areas requiring hurricane resistant construction, laminated glass is often used in windows and patio doors. Laminated glass is also used to increase the sound insulation rating of a window, where it significantly improves sound attenuation compared to monolithic glass panes of the same thickness. An additional benefit of laminated glass for windows and patio doors is that the PVB interlayer can block nearly all ultraviolet radiation. And finally, laminated glass is great for enhanced security. Laminated glass is highly effective at delaying and preventing forced entry and protection against armed attacks targeting residential homes. Security concerns resulting from active shooting, civil unrest, and burglary, among other things have caused homeowners to increasingly move away from standard glass windows.

What is tempered glass?

Tempered glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Tempering puts the outer surfaces into compression and the interior into tension. Such stresses cause the glass, when broken, to shatter into small granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards as ordinary annealed glass does. Tempered glass is used to increase the strength in a variety of applications. Building codes require tempered glass in bathroom windows, windows within 24” of a door, windows in stairwells, and other applications.

What is Low e glass?

There are several ways that a homeowner can benefit from a Low-E glass package, but the most prominent being energy efficiency and the cost savings associated with that. Low-E glass packages for northern climates are designed to allow thermal energy into the home, which correlates with lower heating bills. Low-E glass packages in southern climates are designed to do the opposite, reflecting thermal energy away from the home, keeping your home cool and reducing the need for air conditioning. In addition to the energy efficiency benefits, Low-E glass also prevents discoloration of fabrics and furniture by blocking ultraviolet energy from entering the home.

What is Obscure Glass?

Glass that has been made translucent instead of transparent allowing for greater privacy while sill allowing light to enter.