What Type of Glass Is the Strongest?

by | Jul 31, 2020 | Window Cleaning

Sure enough — cleaning your glass windows can be easy, although hiring a professional like the window cleaning South Shore MA can be very efficient of your time and effort. Glass windows can be so fragile or sturdy, depending on the materials used and both initial installment and maintenance cost can be a bit expensive compared to other types of windows.  

Glass windows can be decorative, functional, or both, as it offers a good and pretty design as well as protection and security both for homes and commercial buildings. However, not all glasses are made equal; there are glasses that can be fragile and just used as decorative, while other glass materials used for windows and doors are too sturdy that even a bullet’s force can never have an impact on the surface. The glass material, quality of workmanship, are the two major factors that determine the strength of the glass window.  

1.Plate Glass 

This glass is the most susceptible to breakage and damage as well as the least durable among the list we provide in this article. It is made from the liquid glass that is spread on a surface until it gets cold to shape. It can also be made through a process known as floating, hence the name “float glass.” 

This kind of glass is the cheapest and therefore is widely used for different purposes. In can be used for windows, doors, mirrors, and glass tables.  

2.Tempered Glass 

This kind of glass is used to improve safety and protection and is installed for motor vehicle windows, shower doors, refrigerator doors, diving masks, and others.  

It is manufactured through the use of chemical or thermal treatment processes that effectively increase the strength contrary to the cheaper and traditional version: plate glass.” it is called tempered as the outer surface tends to compress, providing its sturdier structure. While the outer surface compresses, the inner surface gets tense. These two events allow the glass to be more resistant to breakage. When a greater force is thrown onto the glass, it does not break like the plate glass which causes serious injures due to the broken shards. Instead, it just crumbles to small granules that will not cut.  

3.Laminated Glass 

This kind of glass, unlike the two mentioned above, hold together when it is shattered. This glass consists of two or more polyvinyl butyric (PVB) layer that bond together for additional strength. When greater force is thrown, the glass breaks into big pieces that hold together that creates a web pattern.  

Because of its durability and strength, this glass is used for skylight glazing, storefronts, automobile wind shields, and windows in areas that are prone to hurricanes. In addition to this, the PVB layer that this glass is consist of provides UV protection and sound insulation. 

The Final Thought 

Among the three: plate, tempered, and laminated glass, the last one is the sturdiest and most costly as it provides the greatest protection against impact as well as insulation against sound and UV rays.