The Differences Between Tempered & Laminated Glass

Tempered and laminated glass are two popular types of safety glass used in various applications, from vehicle windows to building facades and staircases, installed by an experienced railing contractor. Both offer better safety features compared to regular glass, but they differ in their manufacturing processes and specific benefits. Understanding these differences is important for selecting the right type of glass for specific needs.

What Type Of Glass Is Used For Stairs?

For residential railing systems, the type of glass typically used is either tempered glass or laminated glass, both known for their strength and safety features.

• Tempered Glass is treated with heat or chemicals to increase its strength compared to normal glass. It is much tougher and more durable, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like staircases. If it breaks, tempered glass shatters into small, blunt pieces that are less likely to cause injury, which is an essential safety feature.
• Laminated Glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with an interlayer, usually made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This layer holds the glass pieces together if the glass breaks, preventing them from falling apart and reducing the risk of injury. Laminated glass is also effective in reducing noise, making it a good choice for staircases in busy or noisy areas.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is a type of safety glass that is significantly stronger than standard glass. This increased strength makes it an ideal choice for many applications where regular glass could pose a risk of injury, such as in car windows, shower doors, and staircases in public spaces. The key feature of tempered glass is its safety in handling: if it does break, it shatters into small, blunt pieces that are far less likely to cause injury compared to the sharp shards of regular glass. This makes it a safer option in accidents or break-ins.

Additionally, tempered glass is resistant to temperature changes, which means it can withstand conditions that might cause other types of glass to crack or break. Its durability and safety features make it a popular choice for protecting against environmental stresses and potential impacts.

How strong is tempered glass

Tempered glass is known for its exceptional strength and durability, making it a popular choice for applications like tempered glass railing. These railings not only provide a clear view but also offer safety. Tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass – about four to five times more resistant to breakage. This strength makes tempered glass railings ideal for balconies, staircases, and decks where safety and visibility are important. Additionally, the ability of tempered glass to handle impacts and stress makes these railings reliable and long-lasting.

The Tempering Process

The tempering process is key for creating strong and durable glass used in applications such as tempered glass for railing. This process involves heating the glass for tempered glass stair railing to a very high temperature and then rapidly cooling it down. The rapid cooling is usually done with a blast of air. This method changes the physical properties of the glass, significantly enhancing its strength and making it much tougher than normal glass. The result is a reliable, strong, and safe glass suitable for railings that provide both protection and a clear view.

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with an interlayer, typically made of a plastic material like polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This interlayer holds the glass sheets together if the glass is broken, preventing the glass from shattering into dangerous shards. Instead, the broken pieces stick to the interlayer, maintaining the overall integrity of the glass and reducing the risk of injury.

The combination of laminated tempered glass merges the benefits of both types: the strength and safety of tempered glass with the added protection and durability of laminated glass, making it perfect for frameless glass railing. When comparing tempered vs laminated glass, tempered glass is known for its strength and safety in shattering without sharp edges, while laminated glass offers an additional layer of security by keeping the glass intact even when broken. This makes laminated glass especially useful in applications requiring safety and security measures.

How strong is laminated glass

Laminated glass is highly durable and provides excellent security and safety features, which makes it ideal for applications where both protection and strength are essential. When comparing tempered glass vs laminated glass, both have their strengths, but tempered glass is generally considered tougher. Tempered glass is tougher and breaks into blunt pieces that are less likely to cause injury. However, laminated glass has the advantage of remaining intact even when broken, thanks to its interlayer that holds the shattered pieces together. This feature prevents the glass from falling apart, offering an extra level of safety and making it difficult to penetrate, which is ideal for preventing break-ins or accidental falls.