Understanding Impact Glass
Essential Protection for Your Home
Impact glass is a key feature of impact windows and doors, specifically designed to safeguard your home from the destructive forces of high winds, flying debris, and severe storms. In addition to its durability, impact glass can be enhanced with various coatings to improve energy efficiency, reduce heat transfer, and block harmful UV rays. Some impact glass options even offer superior noise reduction, making them an excellent choice for homes in noisy environments. With a range of impact glass options available, each providing distinct benefits, you can select the perfect solution to meet your home's specific needs for protection, comfort, and energy savings.
LAMINATED
Laminated glass is capable of providing durability, high performance, and multi functional benefits such as safety, security, sound control, solar energy performance, and ultraviolet screening, as well as hurricane and blast resistance, while simultaneously preserving the aesthetic of the glass. Laminated glass is constructed of two plies of glass which are bonded together with strong interlayer called polyvinyl butyral to form a permanent bond.
LOW-E
Low-E coatings offer efficient energy saving benefits to any architectural project, minimizing the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light that passes through the glass without compromising the amount of visible light transmittance. Low-e glass has a microscopically thin, transparent coating 500 times thinner than a human hair that reflects long wave infrared energy or heat. ES Windows offers the following coating options manufactured by industry leader Tecnoglass: N70/38 - Solarban 90 - Solarban 70 - Solarban 100
HEAT STRENGTHENED
Heat treated glass has the key advantage of being able to withstand far higher levels of mechanical stress, pressure than non heat treated glass. This glass can be classified as a safety glass because it minimizes the breakage risk resulting from external agents or from temperature changes. This glass is the best choice for superior durability and enhanced safety.
INSULATING LAMINATED
Insulating Laminated glass provides solar control properties of an insulating glass unit along with the safety features of the laminated inboard component. Saves energy and reduces noise transmission in any home, creating a more comfortable indoor environment free from extreme temperatures.
Impact Glass Thickness for Windows and Doors
When selecting the right impact glass thickness for your windows and doors, it's crucial to consider both the local zone, size of your window and door openings and performance. These factors directly influence the level of protection you need to withstand extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes or high winds.
1. Local Zones
- Hurricane Prone Areas or High Wind Zones: In areas like Florida, where severe storms and hurricanes are common, thicker impact glass is essential. Typically, a minimum of 5/16 glass is recommended for better durability and protection. For larger openings or high risk zones, 7/16 or 9/16 glass may be required.
2. Opening Sizes
- Small to Medium Openings: For smaller windows or doors, 5/16 to 7/16 glass may be sufficient, as these openings are less likely to experience extreme pressure from winds or debris.
- Large Openings: Larger windows or door panels, especially those in high wind zones, require thicker glass. 7/16 or 9/16 glass offers greater strength and resistance to the additional forces acting on larger surfaces.
3. Considerations
- Code Compliance: We must follow the local building codes to ensure your glass thickness meets the required safety standards for that area.
- Performance: Thicker glass can also help with energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer and to reduce outside noise, but it may cost more. Choose the right thickness based on your balance between protection and energy savings.
- Structural Integrity: Larger openings or windows with minimal framing may require additional reinforcement, including thicker glass or stronger framing, to maintain structural integrity during extreme weather events.
Ultimately, choosing the right impact glass thickness is about balancing safety, durability, and cost. Arbo Tupan Windows & Doors we will ensure compliance with local building codes and optimal performance during storms ensuring your home is well protected.
