Tag Archives: Safety glass

Laminated Safety Glass

July 28, 2016

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Beyond the safety features, laminated glass is also utilized to enhance a window’s sound insulation rating and block most ultraviolet radiation.

Laminated glass has a long history of applications. Despite it, many are concerned about its issues with de-lamination, a reduction in the adhesive that bonds the glass panes and the inter-layer together.

Where Does It Occur?

De-lamination, otherwise known as edge or inter-layer staining, is a phenomenon that typically occurs around fixing or at the edge of the glass pane. This staining usually most pervasive in safety glass panes where an inter-layer called Poly-vinyl Butyral (PVB) is used.

What Causes Laminated Safety Glass to De-laminate?

1. Excessive moisture

De-lamination is most prevalent during humid weather. That’s because PVB absorbs moisture. Thus, when the panes constantly exposed to warm and moist environments, the adhesive between the film and the glass loses its bond and the glass begins to de-laminate over time.

To prevent excessive moisture buildup, allow the edge of the inter-layer to breathe. During installation, make sure that the edges well-ventilated so that moisture won’t trickle down to the inter-layer and the adhesive.

2. Compatibility Issues

Often, the problem lies in the structural silicone or gasket that was use to bond the panes and inter-layer. If it is not compatible with the interlayer of the laminated glass, de-lamination could occur more rapidly.

If you’re in the market looking for laminated glass, consider manufacturers who offer information pertaining to product compatibility to ensure that the interlayer and the gaskets used in the glass are compatible.

3. Mismatched Glass Plies

Like toughened glass, heat-strengthened laminated glass usually exhibits barely visible distortions or waves, which caused by the rollers during manufacturing. When the glass plies do not have a matching distortion, trough to trough and peak to peak. It places stress on the interlayer of the laminated glass, which could lead to de-lamination.

In this light, manufacturers must have a stricter quality control procedure to prevent mismatched plies.

4. Poor Installation

As mentioned, the installation plays a critical role in moisture build-up between the panes. Without ventilation during the installation process, moisture could accumulate and cause the laminated glass to de-laminate.

Apart from that, the residue from the primers and cleaners that we use to prepare the glass prior to bonding with its structural silicone could deteriorate the adhesives, thereby contributing to de-lamination.

To ensure that contaminants do not come in direct contact with the inter-layer, the inter-layer of the laminated glass is not compressed by the fitting or the frame as this may cause voids, whereas contaminants can accumulate.

The Benefits of Safety Glass (Infographic)

July 28, 2016

Gene Graham

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Benefits of Safety Glass- Many people see glasses as an instrument to augment the appeal of a certain space. Be it an office or residential location, glass can provide functionality, as well as attractiveness.

In architecture, the use of glass has increased tenfold. Previously perceived as non-durable and fragile, glass today has engineered to be safer, tougher, and more secure for residential, industrial, and architectural applications.

Available in a variety of layers and thicknesses, safety glass, as they come to term. It has a multitude of advantages and diverse applications without the hazards of conventional glass. The benefits of using safety glass include the following:

Tips to Using Mirrors in Small Spaces

July 28, 2016

Gene Graham

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Want to use mirrors in small spaces? When you rent or own a small space you may be left wondering what you can do to enhance the rooms décor without creating too much clutter or crowding. With smaller rooms you must be careful to add the right impact in amounts that will make the room stand out even though it is small in size.

Mirrors are an excellent choice when choosing to decorate any interior for use mirrors in small spaces as they can add a lot of benefits to the room whilst providing subtle impact. When a large mirror gets added to a small area it creates the illusion that the room has more depth and size. Mirrors can also help reflect light, and light by itself brings a new dimension to a room. When installing a mirror into a small room it wise to put it either across from a good piece of artwork. So, that the artwork better reflected in the room or across form a window. So, you can help bounce light into the room.

Putting a mirror behind a light source is also another good tip. It is amazing how different a room can look. And feel just by adding a few small mirrors with candles in front. This can create a surreal feel as well as make the room more inviting.

Although mirror walls often frowned upon and seem dated. If done properly a mirror wall can give a small space a brilliant appearance.

Although mirrors are very beneficial, here are a few things to not do when adding a mirror to the room.

Never place a mirror on the ceiling, a mirror on the ceiling often perceived as tacky.

Do not place mirrors in any random location, always be careful. And be aware of the surroundings of where you are placing your mirror. Always try to keep things symmetrical and in line to avoid visual disturbance.

There is no end to the benefits your room will receive when a mirror added in the correct spot. Just one mirror alone can break up the feeling of clutter and amplify the room’s light. It is always best to experiment with your mirrors. And find out which mirrors will work well for you or alternatively…

Ask the professionals, we install mirrors of various sizes and shapes every day.. In fact, we install thousands of mirrors every year so if in doubt don’t hesitate to contact us for the very best advice and service. Economy Glass is your mirror specialist.

Safety glass – What is it and why do we use it?

July 28, 2016

Gene Graham

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Windows and skylights bring light and fresh air into our homes as well as offer views of the outside world. The common perception of glass as a dangerous material not unfounded. Standard annealed glass breaks relatively easily and fractures into potentially lethal shards or splinters. With safety being of paramount importance, it perhaps not surprising that there standards and regulations which govern when glass used in safety-critical locations.

Areas of a home that are prone to accidents require to fit with a Grade A safety glass. The use of safety glass reduces the risk of injury as it significantly harder to break and designed so it won’t fracture into dangerous shards if broken. The building code in Australia and New Zealand (AS1288) determines where safety glass required to install.

Examples of areas where safety glass required :

Glass doors
Door side panels
Bathrooms (for all areas up to 2 metres high)
Around stairs
Areas that can mistaken for openings (e.g. floor to ceiling glass)
Low-level glass (if larger than 1.2 m2)
Schools, child care, and retirement homes

Types of safety glass

There two main options of safety glass to consider – toughened glass and laminated safety glass. While laminated safety glass and Toughened safety glass can both be used to meet Australian building regulations, each glass type has different properties that are worth when deciding which glass type is appropriate to meet your needs

Laminated glass

Laminated glass is made from two or more sheets of glass bonded together with a flexible polyvinyl butyral(PVB) interlayer. The unique design of laminated glass prevents it from shattering into large shards when broken. In the event of an impact or breakage, the glass held together by the interlayer. This prevents the glass from breaking into shards which can provide significant damage. The interlayer does not impact the transparency of the glass and is not visible to the naked eye once installed.

Laminated glass is usually the best option to provide increased security for your home. If the glass breaks it will generally stay in place and not fall out. The glass is difficult to penetrate completely making it harder to gain access by breaking a window.

Advantages

●   Provides greater security than toughened glass
●   The interlayer in the glass reduces fading from UV significantly
●   subject to thermal stresses

Toughened glass

This is four to five times stronger than ordinary glass of the same thickness. Toughened glass is processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Tempering or toughening creates balanced internal stresses which cause the glass sheet, when broken, to crumble into small blunt granular chunks of similar size and shape instead of splintering into random, jagged shards. The granular chunks are less likely to cause injury. This glass does not provide the same security as laminated glass as once broken the glass explodes leaving a hole in the building.