The Advantages of Laminate Glass

At Glasscraft, we pride ourselves on providing quality glazing solutions, including our top grade laminate glass. Laminate glass is a versatile and robust option that enhances safety, security, and aesthetic appeal. Among our offerings, 6.8mm laminated glass stands out due to its superior strength and performance, meeting stringent safety standards and offering multiple benefits for various applications.

Composition of Laminate Glass

Laminate glass is manufactured by bonding two or more pieces of glass together with an interlayer, typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or resin. A common configuration is 3mm glass/0.4mm PVB/3mm glass, known as ‘6.4mm laminated glass.’ However, our stock includes the more robust 6.8mm laminated glass, providing enhanced safety and durability.

Safety and Protection

One of the primary advantages of laminate glass is its ability to stay intact when broken. Similar to car windshields, the PVB or resin interlayer holds the broken pieces together, forming a ‘spider web’ pattern upon impact. This characteristic prevents the glass from shattering into sharp, dangerous shards, thereby offering significant protection from life-threatening cuts.

Versatile Strength and Functions

Laminate glass can be customised with multiple layers of glass and interlayers to achieve varying strengths and functionalities. For instance:

• Enhanced Security: Thicker configurations provide added security against break-ins and vandalism.
• Noise Control: Additional layers help in soundproofing, making it ideal for urban environments.
• Bulletproof Options: For high-security areas, laminate glass can be engineered to withstand ballistic impacts.

We also offer toughened laminate glass, which combines the benefits of toughened glass with laminated safety features. This type of glass involves laminating two or more pieces of toughened glass together, resulting in even greater strength and security. Typical configurations include 4/1.5/4, making up a 9.5mm thick pane. Due to its toughened nature, toughened laminate glass is available in specific cut sizes.

Additional Benefits of Laminate Glass

Laminate glass provides numerous benefits beyond safety and security:

• Prevention of Dangerous Object Ingress: It offers protection against objects penetrating through glass roofs, enhancing safety in architectural designs.
• Barrier Protection: Laminate glass can prevent people from falling through, making it ideal for use in balustrades in shopping centres and other public spaces.
• UV Protection: It blocks up to 99% of UV rays, which helps slow down the degradation of furnishings in sun-exposed areas like conservatories and shop fronts.

Compliance with PAS 24:2012 & Secure by Design

In line with the latest safety standards, our laminate glass products comply with the PAS 24:2012 and Secured by Design (SBD) specifications. The SBD requirements necessitate that glazing in doors and windows meet the ‘Glass in building. Security glazing. Testing and classification of resistance against manual attack’ standards, achieving at least a P1A Performance classification.

Standard 6.4mm laminated glass no longer meets these stringent requirements. Therefore, we stock 6.8mm laminated glass, which is accredited to the P2A classification, offering superior protection and performance. This higher accreditation ensures that our products provide enhanced security, making them ideal for both residential and commercial applications.

Conclusion

Laminate glass is an essential component in modern architecture, offering unparalleled safety, security, and aesthetic benefits. At Glasscraft, our 6.8mm laminated glass stands out as a top choice for meeting rigorous safety standards and providing versatile solutions for various applications. Whether you need protection from break-ins, noise reduction, or UV shielding, our laminate glass products deliver exceptional performance and peace of mind.

Explore our range of laminate glass options and discover how we can enhance the safety and security of your building projects. For more detailed information and specifications, please refer to our downloadable resources.

Trust Glasscraft  for specialist glass, and experience the difference that high-quality laminate glass can make.