It helps to think of laminated glass as a glass sandwich; essentially, a layer of transparent polymer is sandwiched between two layers of glass and they are all held together by astrong adhesive. The glass itself isn’t particularly special, it’s the way in which it is made that’s important. Thanks to its unique interlayered construction, laminated glass is typically used when there is a possibility of human impact or where glass would fall if it was shattered – such as skylight glazing, car windshields, and shop windows and ceilings – and it is held in very high regard across many different industries
What are the Main Advantages of Laminated Glass?
One of the most obvious benefits of laminated glass has to be safety. In the event of an impact or collision,each layer of glass might crack or break; however, the middle layer of polymer and adhesive would effectively hold the pieces together in one single pane. There would be no dangerous splinters or fragments of glass to worry about and the chances of injury are incredibly small – which is why laminated glass is now categorised as a safety glass and used in high-risk areas.
Laminated glass is also becoming increasingly popular because of its range of desirable and useful properties. It’s chunky layered design not only creates fantastic heat insulation but also significantly improves sound insulation and reduces the effect of harmful UV rays. If the glass is used externally (e.g. for shop windows or external doors), it can provide an effective barrier against strong winds and heavy rain and can even add to their security of your premises. Laminated is strong and reliable and it is easy to see why it is being used more and more across a wide range of industries.
Where Can I Buy Laminated Glass?
Due to its increasing popularity and usage, laminated glass can now be sourced from a number of specialist providers – including, for example,Express Glass Warehouse (EGW). As one of the UK’s leading companies, they demonstrate a wealth of knowledge and significant experience in this area and they currently stock an extensive range of high-quality laminated glass. This range can be broken down into four categories and here we take a look at each category in more detail.
No.1: ClearLaminated Glass
Probably the most popular variety, with the greatest number of applications; clear laminated glass is constructed using two or more completely transparent panes with one or more polyvinylbutyral (PVB) interlayers. These interlayers ensure the integrity of the glass, holding the broken pieces in place if damage was to occur and offering optimum protection for both people and property.
When it comes to this type of laminated glass, Pilkington Optilam™ is one of the leading products currently on the market – trusted for its high-quality and excellence – and it is currently available to buy at EGW. One of their main goals is to stock the most innovative and globally-renowned brands and they are incredibly proud to offer Pilkington Optilam™ for a range of small domestic and large commercial applications.
No.2: White Laminated Glass
White laminated glass is identical in its construction to clear laminated glass and, as a result, it demonstrates the same range of benefits. It offers optimum safety and protection, effectively holding broken pieces in place should impact occur; however, rather than being constructed from transparent panes, the interlayers of glass are either frosted white or incorporate a subtle colour.
Once again, EGW are stockists for one of the leading white laminated glass products on the market – that is, Pilkington Optilam™. Pilkington Optilam™comes in eight standard colours – including grey, green, translucent white, ocean blue, brown, light brown, medium brown and dark brown – and other non-standard colours are available upon request. It remains intact if broken, it resists attack for a longer duration, and it is a fantastic option if you’d like to create both safety and privacy.
No. 3: Acoustic Laminated Glass
All types of laminated glass offer a certain degree of soundinsulation; however, thanks to the use of specialist acoustic PVB interlayers, acoustic laminated glass is particularly suited to applications were noise control is of paramount importance – such as blocking out the noise of outdoor traffic, weather conditions, or chatter in a busy room of your office.
SGG STAPID SILENCE is one of the best types of acoustic laminated glass currently on the market. When used in a double-glazed form, this type of glass considerably reduces noise levels and demonstrates significantly better acoustic performance compared to conventional PVB laminated glass. It is a popular choice for many residential and commercial projects and it is now available to buy now at EGW.
No. 4: Toughened Laminated Glass
This is an increasingly popular choice for applications where health and safety are of crucial importance. Toughened Laminated Glass combines the strength of both the toughening and laminating process; constructed using toughened panes of glass and interlayered with particularly durable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). It creates a barrier that is incredibly difficult to penetrate, and thanks to its fully water-proof finish, it is perfect for indoor and outdoor structures such as balustrades, flooring, balconies and canopies.
Contact EGW for Laminated Glass
EGW is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of toughened and laminated glass products. By using state-of-art equipment andoffering a level of service that is unmatched within the industry, they are able to deliver laminated glass nationwide for a broad range of different projects – from one-off home improvements to large-scale commercial assignments. If you would like any further information on the laminated glass products currently available, just give them a call today on 020 8500 1188 or email at [email protected]. Whatever your specific needs or requirements, their talented and experienced team of staff can offer tailored advice and guidance and they will find the perfect product for you!