Installation of safety glass in homes is essential for enhancing protection in case of breakage. Ordinary glass windows typically shatter on impact such that sharp shards are released. These pieces are likely to cause serious injury to the residents and possibly damage the floors. By installing Grade A safety glass in your home, you can prevent and minimise these risks. The Australian Standards that define the requirements for the use of residential safety glass are AS1288 and AS2208, and they describe the specifics of the size and placement of windows and entryways that must be glased with safety glass. These include windows that are bordering the residential doors and large ones that are installed slightly above the floors. There are two basic forms of Grade A safety glass to choose and purchase for your home: toughened and laminated.

Toughened Glass

Toughened glass is produced by heating ordinary float glass in a furnace to enhance the structural strength. When the right heating temperature is achieved, the glass is cooled such that the surface solidifies while the core remains hot. As this center eventually cools, it causes significant compression of the edges and other external surfaces. The heat treatments advance the resilience of glass so more impact force is required to cause damage compared to normal glass.

It is vital to note that toughened glass products are still breakable when under high stress. However, the glass will generally crumble into small, relatively, fragments. You will find varying forms of this safety glass, including clear, tinted and low emissivity products.

Laminated Glass

Laminated windows are associated with auto glass, but the choice is also viable for residential installation. The glass is made of two sheets of ordinary three millimeter float glass with a layer of polyvinyl butyrate between them.

When breakage occurs, the PVB material holds the shards together and limits the risk of disintegration. This is an ideal choice for improving protection against storms and unauthorized entry. The quality of the plastic interlayer can be chosen to enhance other performance aspects of the windows, such as acoustic and thermal insulation. You can choose clear, low emissivity and even tinted glass to suit your requirements and preferences.

Choosing the Right Type

Compliance with the Australian Standards is vital when installing laminated and toughened glass. The two forms can be applied interchangeably, but you should determine the appropriateness for specific applications. For instance, laminated glass is more resistant to breakage by intruders, so it is ideal for windows bordering entryways.

For more information, contact a professional glazier.