Window + Door Glass Guide for Home Safety
Ordering windows is a big decision, that homeowners will typically only make once or twice in their lifetimes. Therefore, it is important to choose the right style and options when placing your order. One option that can drastically alter the way your windows and doors perform is their glass package. There are several different kinds of glass used in windows and doors, and each has its own benefits and uses. Knowing the differences between these options is key to choosing the right glass for your home’s windows and doors.
What is Annealed Glass
Annealed glass—commonly referred to as regular or standard glass—is a versatile choice for many applications. During its manufacturing process, annealed glass undergoes a controlled cooling cycle, which releases internal pressure. This allows the glass to be cut, sanded, polished or holes be drilled into it, further down the line in additional manufacturing processes.
One notable characteristic of annealed glass is its break pattern. Since it is untreated glass, when annealed glass breaks, it creates sharp shards of glass, which can be very dangerous to handle. Because of this, it is rarely used in large window units, high–traffic areas, or in patio doors. If safety is a concern, it is best to use tempered glass instead of annealed glass.
Understanding Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is heat–treated for strength and breakage resistance. To create tempered glass, annealed glass is heated in a tempering furnace to a temperature just below its melting point, followed by a rapid cooling cycle. This process provides surface and edge compression to the glass piece, resulting in glass four-to-five times stronger than annealed!
One key characteristic of tempered glass is its unique break pattern. Unlike annealed glass, when tempered glass is broken, it will shatter into many small, rounded cubes of glass, that are much safer to handle. Because of this, tempered glass is referred to as safety glass. Tempered glass is commonly used in large glass units, windows in high–traffic areas or on patio doors. Viwinco patio doors come standard with tempered glass.
For enhanced strength and safety, opting for tempered glass is recommended. Additionally, it’s important to be aware that specific building codes may mandate the use of tempered glass in designated areas. A typical example is when a window is positioned below a specified height. Consult your local building codes for a more comprehensive insight.
Laminated Glass and its Applications
Out of the three types of glass mentioned in this article, laminated glass is the most robust. Laminated glass is designed to withstand windborne debris—a common occurrence in hurricane-prone areas. In contrast to annealed and tempered glass, laminated glass is comprised of multiple layers, designed with safety in mind. The glass package used in Viwinco laminated products—our OceanView product line—consists of two annealed glass lites and a Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) interlayer. PVB is a thin plastic-like sheet, cut down to fit the size of the glass unit. With the three layers sandwiched together, they are subjected to a series of vacuum, heat & pressure and cooling presses to create our laminated glass in our state-of-the-art laminating process.
As mentioned above, laminated glass is designed to withstand windborne debris in events such as hurricanes. Although the laminated glass may crack, it should retain its shape and prevent wind and pressure buildup within the building envelope which can lead to the roof lifting off or the walls blowing outward. When it comes to safety glass, laminated glass is unparalleled. Additionally, the Viwinco OceanView glass package consists of a laminated glass lite on the home’s interior and a tempered (sacrificial) glass light on the exterior for even more protection.
Although laminated glass is used in hurricane-prone areas, it presents additional benefits. One additional advantage is reduced sound transmission, making this a popular item in loud places such as a busy street, near a school, airport or hospital. Laminated glass is also commonly used in high-crime areas to deter potential break-ins.
Comparing Annealed and Tempered Glass for Home Safety
When it comes to home safety, there is little comparison between annealed and tempered glass. Tempered glass is much stronger than annealed glass, but when broken, it presents a significantly lower risk. This is ideal for households with children, or large dogs who don’t always realize the patio door is closed. On the other hand, annealed glass is a reliable material that is commonly used in windows worldwide. If the likelihood of your windows being damaged is low, annealed glass is a popular choice.
Comparing Tempered and Laminated Glass for your Home
Regarding safety, tempered and laminated glass each have an important role in the market. For overall safety considerations, opting for tempered glass is an excellent choice. However, if you reside in an area prone to frequent hurricanes or strong storms, choosing laminated glass is more suitable. Regarding tempered and laminated glass, it is best to refer to local building codes as some may require impact-resistant windows and doors. This is a common requirement in coastal areas, especially in the southeastern region.
Which Glass is Best for You?
As you may have learned, choosing the best type of glass for you depends on several factors such as: product type, lifestyle, family and geographic location. Choosing which type of glass to use on your windows and doors is truly a personalized decision, and what works best for one person may not for another. We hope you now understand the differences and benefits between annealed, tempered and laminated glass. To learn more about the different types of glass used in Viwinco products, visit our glass information page. If you are looking to get more information on how to buy windows, have a look at our window buyers guide, or visit our store locator to find a Viwinco distributor near you.
