When it comes to protecting your home from the impact of a hurricane, choosing the right type of glass for your windows and doors is essential. Two popular options are tempered and laminated glass. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two types of glass and help you decide which one is the best choice for your home.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is a type of safety glass heated to a high temperature and then rapidly cooled, making it up to four times stronger than regular glass. When tempered glass breaks, it shatters into small, rounded pieces rather than sharp shards, which reduces the risk of injury. Tempered glass is commonly used in car windows, shower doors, and patio furniture.
Pros
One of the most significant advantages of tempered glass is its strength. It is much more resistant to impact than regular glass and can withstand temperature changes better. This makes it an excellent choice for areas that experience frequent storms or extreme weather conditions.
Cons
One downside of tempered glass is that it is less effective at blocking noise than laminated glass. Additionally, while tempered glass is stronger than regular glass, it can still break under the right conditions. If it does break, it will shatter into many small pieces, which can be challenging to clean up.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is made by sandwiching a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two or more sheets of glass. This process creates strong, durable glass resistant to impact, noise, and UV rays. Laminated glass is commonly used in car windshields, skyscraper windows, and hurricane-resistant windows.
Pros
One of the most significant advantages of laminated glass is its ability to resist impact. If the glass is struck by debris during a hurricane, it is less likely to break or shatter. Additionally, the PVB layer in the laminated glass helps block out noise, making it a good choice for homes near busy roads or other noisy areas.
Cons
One downside of laminated glass is that it is more expensive than tempered glass. Additionally, if the glass does break, it will not shatter into small pieces like tempered glass does. Instead, the PVB layer will hold the glass together, creating a spiderweb-like pattern. While this can reduce the risk of injury, it can also make it more challenging to clean up.
Which One Is Right for Your Home?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing between tempered and laminated glass for hurricane protection. Both types of glass have their advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice for your home will depend on your specific needs and budget.
If you live in an area that experiences frequent storms or extreme weather conditions, tempered glass may be the best option for you. It is strong enough to withstand most impacts and less expensive than laminated glass.
On the other hand, laminated glass may be a better choice if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or other severe weather events. It is more resistant to impact than tempered glass and can provide an extra layer of protection for your home during a storm.
Ultimately, the most important thing is ensuring that your windows and doors are made from impact-resistant materials. Impact windows and doors can help to protect your home from the damaging effects of hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe weather events, and they can also help to reduce your energy costs by improving your home’s insulation.
Conclusion
Choosing the right type of glass for your home’s windows and doors is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. Whether you choose tempered or laminated glass, invest in high-quality materials that will provide your home with the protection it needs. And don’t forget to consider impact windows and doors as an additional measure for home protection.
Precision Aluminum & Remodeling offers impact windows and doors made from high-quality materials designed to withstand even the most severe weather conditions. Our team of experts can help you choose the right products for your home and ensure that they are properly installed for maximum effectiveness. Contact us today to learn more about our impact windows and doors and to schedule a consultation.
