Fragility and delicacy are normally associated with the word ‘glass’. While glass is now defined as a material synonymous with strength, durability and safety, modern advancements have given rise to glass as you know it today. Nowadays, safety glass is a high quality of glass developed for unmatched protection while retaining the traditional appearance. In this article, we take a deeper look at safety glass properties, types, applications, and find out whether or not installing safety glass in your next development or renovation would be a good idea.
What is Safety Glass?
Safety glass is made from specially manufactured glass intended to increase safety, durability and resistance to various impacts. Designed to be unbreakable and unreparable, the possibility of cracking or breaking makes it the perfect defence if you are afraid for your security of a house or possibly if you have to secure your goods inside one. Common types of safety glass include:
How is Safety Glass Made?
Safety glass is manufactured using two primary processes:
- Laminating: Bonding two or more sheets of glass with a thin, plastic layer such polyvinyl butyral (PVB) binding together. The result is a material that keeps together when it hits something.
- Heat Strengthening: In this method the glass sheets are quickly cooled after heating to very high temperatures. In this case, the tempered glass is produced by allowing it to go through this process, which makes it much better able to withstand breakage.
Safety glass Key Properties
- Heat Resistance: Safety glass is sufficiently tough to withstand high temperatures and, as a result, is the perfect material for fire proofed doors and areas exposed to heat.
- Impact Resistance: It is 5 times as strong as standard annealed glass.
- Reduced Injury Risk: Safety glass breaks when it breaks and takes around the same pieces as regular glass (small and blunt), however, the pieces are far less likely to cause injury.
- Soundproofing: Safety glass laminates with the excellent noise reductions make them ideal for offices, and other environments that require a loud environment.
Types of Safety Glass
Laminated Glass
- Reduces noise pollution.
- On impact, the structures remain intact.
- It prevents the formation of sharp shards which improves safety.
Tempered Glass
- Wind pressure and heat resistance is very high.
- Small, blunt cubes (safe breakage patterns).
Tinted Glass
- Privacy and glare reduction.
- Harmful UV rays protection.
Frosted Glass
- Improved privacy at lower levels of visibility.
- Cooling interiors which in turn saves energy efficiency.
Burglary-Resistant Glass
- This glass was designed to resist penetration by powerful objects, like hammers and crowbars, which have the force to drive through your ordinary glass.
Applications of Safety Glass
Commercial and Residential Spaces
- In the homes, shower doors, partitions, tabletops.
- Office glass walls and windows.
Vehicles
- Laminated safety glass is critical in the automotive industry, used in the making of a windshield to ensure it is not broken in an accident.
Architectural Projects
- Glass railings
- High-rise building windows.
- Skylights.
Fire Safety Applications
- Wired glass and fire rated glass panels contain flames and give time for evacuation.
Advantages of Safety Glass
- Noise Reduction: External noise is drastically reduced by safety glass.
- Durability: It’s great for high impact and high stress environments due to its strength and resistance.
Drawbacks of Safety Glass
- Non-Drillable: Once manufactured a project will almost always need to cut and drill it and this is an unusable pane.
- Spontaneous Breakage: Safety glass will occasionally break because of nickel sulfide inclusions.
Why Opt for Safety Glass?
Safety glass is practical and protective at the same time. And it is as versatile and enough durable for any homes, offices or vehicles. Although it has few expressive variations, its concentration on safety and functionality maintains it as the superior choice for high risk situations.