Laminated glass is one of the window industries most versitile products. Commonly associated with automobile windshields, it’s also used as a noise reduction solution. Typically, laminated glass is a ¼” thick: consisting of two pieces of ⅛” glass, with a .030″ plastic layer in the middle, sandwiched together at high temperatures. It is also produced in much greater thicknesses for use in sound proof booths in radio stations, recording studios and shooting ranges.
Sound insulation is measured using STC ratings, for Sound Transmission Class. This standard applies a number to different materials based on how well they insulate sound. The higher the number, the better it prevents sound from being heard. So basically, a piece of ¼” laminated glass can usually have a rating anywhere between 35 to 50 STC value. With this being said, when comparing to a residential dual glaze, the STC rating is typically 28 to 31. Therefore, the installation of windows with laminated glass rather than dual glaze will have a better sound reduction rating.
There are other advantages of purchasing and installing windows made with laminated glass versus dual glaze. One advantage is security, as laminated windows are harder to penetrate. You may have seen those commercials where someone takes a baseball bat and shatters the glass but doesn’t break all the way through? That’s because while normal glass would shatter and fall away, the laminated plastic holds the glass in place, even when broken. This creates problems for anyone trying to break in. Another advantage is that laminated glass is impervious to the condensation occasionally found in older dual glaze units. For those HGTV groupies out there, you might remember one of the best things about laminated glass is that it can prevent fading in drapes, upholstery, and carpets. This is because of the .030” PVC inner layer between the two pieces of glass which helps to block the UV rays from the sun.
Sound insulation is measured using STC ratings, for Sound Transmission Class. This standard applies a number to different materials based on how well they insulate sound. The higher the number, the better it prevents sound from being heard. So basically, a piece of ¼” laminated glass can usually have a rating anywhere between 35 to 50 STC value. With this being said, when comparing to a residential dual glaze, the STC rating is typically 28 to 31. Therefore, the installation of windows with laminated glass rather than dual glaze will have a better sound reduction rating.
There are other advantages of purchasing and installing windows made with laminated glass versus dual glaze. One advantage is security, as laminated windows are harder to penetrate. You may have seen those commercials where someone takes a baseball bat and shatters the glass but doesn’t break all the way through? That’s because while normal glass would shatter and fall away, the laminated plastic holds the glass in place, even when broken. This creates problems for anyone trying to break in. Another advantage is that laminated glass is impervious to the condensation occasionally found in older dual glaze units. For those HGTV groupies out there, you might remember one of the best things about laminated glass is that it can prevent fading in drapes, upholstery, and carpets. This is because of the .030” PVC inner layer between the two pieces of glass which helps to block the UV rays from the sun.
Master Glazier
