You must know the 3 types of glass for glass railings
Whether it's your outdoor porch, balcony or interior, having an outdoor or indoor glass railing system can add a bold style to the décor. Using glass as a key component of a railing system has been a groundbreaking concept in interior design. Glass is a material that provides security and beauty to structures, and this railing system is used in both residential and commercial areas. Its flexible appearance makes it a perfect choice for both traditional and contemporary style settings.
However, in addition to glass balustrade designs, there are some variations in materials when choosing glass panels.
There are three options for safety glass: tempered or laminated or toughened laminated glass. Each of these materials has its advantages and disadvantages.
1. Tempered glass
This type of glass balustrade, more commonly known as an "invisible balustrade," has clear panels that act as invisible picture frames for the exterior view. This means you can easily sit back and enjoy the outdoor view from your balcony without any obstruction. This is a great option for people with small children and pets, as there is very little space between the balustrade panels.
Tempered glass balustrades are made from a number of panels that undergo a heating and cooling process in a tempering furnace. In this method, the glass is pre-cut and trimmed before being placed in the furnace. After that, it is heated to about 1200°F and then cooled rapidly. This type of cooling method is called quenching, and it hardens the glass to strength at least 4 to 5 times higher than before the tempering process.
Breaking
This also makes the glass panels more durable and less likely to break and shatter. If they do break, the broken pieces will be fairly large chunks rather than sharp edges, reducing the chance of injury.
Construction
According to the IBC, tempered glass panels should be at least 6 mm or 1/4 inch thick and should be able to handle the load requirements. Overall, standard tempered glass panels should have 5/16-inch powder coated or stainless steel rail posts and consist of 10 mm thick shatterproof panels. Steel clamping posts for glass railings should preferably be corrosion-resistant rubber-coated stainless steel.
Advantages
. Glass panels and aluminum rail posts are rust-resistant even after prolonged exposure to water.
. It can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations.
. The tempered glass panel requires little maintenance.
. It is very easy to assemble and customize them.
Disadvantages
. Tempered glass systems are not cheap.
. The transparency that provides you with a better view also compromises your interior privacy.
. You need to maintain a cleaning routine to keep your panels free of fingerprints and smudges.
2. Laminated Glass
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Structure
In contrast, laminated glass is a "glass interlayer" in which there is a vinyl interlayer between two or more layers of glass, like a car windshield. The adhesion of the various interlayers is the main reason behind the material's edge stability. This way, if the glass is damaged, it stays together. For this reason, it is also considered a safety glazing material.
Types
Depending on the lamination, laminated glass can be divided into three types.
.SGP or Sentry Guard Plus laminated
.PVB or Polyvinyl Butyral
.EVA or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
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Use
If you prefer frameless glass panels, laminated glass is preferable. In general, PVB is better suited for interior glass stair railings because it has a faster chance of decay than EVA and is better suited for exterior railings. In addition, EVA is more clearly laminated than PVB.
Advantages
. This glass is 99% efficient at blocking the sun's harmful UV rays.
. It even has a noise reduction function.
. Even after the lamination process, this impact-resistant glass can be cut and polished.
. They can be installed very quickly due to faster delivery times.
Disadvantages
. Over time, the edges of laminated glass tend to develop imperfections due to the lamination process or its compatibility with other elements of the building, which can reduce its visual appeal.
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In short, if you want a strong and shatter-resistant glass railing, choose tempered glass over anything else. However, if you want flexibility, UV resistance, and soundproofing, then the laminated glass is a perfect choice. When looking for outdoor or indoor glass railings, define your criteria to find a product that will serve you satisfactorily for years to come.
3, Laminated Tempered Glass
Advantages
. The safest of the three types of glass, and now the most popular
. It can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations.
.?Blocks harmful UV rays from the sun
. It even has a noise reduction function.
Disadvantages
. Tempered laminated glass systems are not cheap.
. Over time, the edges of laminated glass tend to develop imperfections due to the lamination process or its compatibility with other elements of the building, which can reduce its visual appeal.
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Now it's clear what glass you need to choose, right? If you don't know the size of the glass and don't know which accessories to choose, please contact the glass railing experts and we will design the best solution for you, email: [email protected]