If a window in your home fragments, your first point of call is to determine what kind of glass is within the frame. This will help with enquiries and getting quotes. Different glass types break in specific ways, which can help you to identify which particular kind is in your windows.
1. Float Glass
Float or annealed glass is the standard variety that features in double hung or sliding aluminium windows. The name float glass derives from the manufacturing process, when the molten glass floats on melted tin, as it hardens into thin sheets. These kinds of windows break as you would expect, into sharp pieces that can scatter everywhere.
2. Laminated Glass
You've probably seen how car windscreens typically break. While they might crack in a spiderweb pattern, the windshield often holds together in one piece. If a window breaks like this, it could well be laminated. This safety glass consists of two glass sheets on either side of a vinyl interlayer; heat and pressure bond all three together. Its main advantage is safety, in that, if loose pieces of glass do not scatter, the likelihood of injury is minimal. Also, because the vinyl interlayer tends to hold everything together, your window maintains a level of security until repairs arrive. Extra large windows and glass panelled doors often use this glazing. Alternatively, they may use another safety species--toughened glass.
3. Toughened Glass
Toughened glass is approximately four to five times stronger than standard annealed glass, and thus, it will take a significant impact to bust the window. To produce this additional toughness, manufacturers heat float glass to extreme temperatures. Jets then spray chilled air across its surface; the exterior of the pane cools quickly while the inner part does so more slowly. This process produces tension within the glass structure that makes it extra sturdy. As well, it breaks in a distinct way. If your window crumbles into evenly sized, rounded pieces of glass, rather than pointy shards, it is most likely toughened glass. While these pebble-like pieces are unlikely to cause injury, you will have no secure barrier at all now across your window.
So if unfortunately, one of your windows breaks, you should be able to identify the glass type by how it behaves. If it separates into jagged pieces, you probably have float glass in front of you. On the other hand, if it shatters into more consistent rounded pieces, toughened glass is more likely. Alternatively, if the pane remains in place though it shows a spiderweb cracking pattern, you're probably looking at a laminated type. Repairing windows and getting quotes will become a lot simpler once you know the basic glass types.
Share3 June 2019
Hello, my name is Colin and this is my construction blog. When people think of the construction industry, they often just imagine guys in hard hats building brick walls. While this is a popular image of the industry, it doesn't reflect the true diversity of different contractors and tradesmen who are involved in a construction project. Lasy year, my wife and I decided to construct our dream home. I had to arrange visits of plumbers, roofers, electricians, surveyors and home builders in order to get the job done. I learnt a lot during that experience, so I decided to start this blog.