4 Types Of Impact Resistant Windows
When it comes to safety glass and high-impact windows, there are four types of products that you need to be aware of.
1. Tempered
Tempered glass is made using a combination of high heat and high pressure to change the chemical bonding in the glass. The result is a difficult-to-break glass that won't shatter, but instead, it will break into chunks. Tempered glass can be broken by impact, although it won't break into sharp shards. For this reason, it is mainly only used in internal windows where safety glass is necessary, such as around a shower or for interior glass railings. It is not suitable for exterior windows.
2. Monolithic
A basic type of exterior impact windows is monolithic styles. These feature two panes of glass with a layer of polymer laminate between these layers. The laminate provides the necessary tensile strength to minimize the chances of glass breakage, even in the event of a hard impact. If the glass does break, the laminate holds the broken pieces in place so that they still provide some protection from the outside elements. This also keeps the glass from falling inward so that a broken window won't provide a security breach that would allow an intruder inside.
3. Energy Efficient
Energy-efficient impact glass is similar to monolithic in that it is layers of glass and a laminate. The difference is that the exterior surface is the standard three-layer monolithic window. There is then a layer of insulating gas and then a third internal layer of glass to encase the insulating gas. This creates a much more energy-efficient window that provides some R-value. Energy efficiency impact glass is necessary if you live in a colder region where heat loss through the window can be a major concern. The extra layers can also provide more security and protection against potential impacts.
4. High-Performance
High-performance impact glass is a combination of monolithic, energy-efficient, and tempered glass. The basic window construction is similar to energy-efficient windows, with three layers of glass, a layer of laminate, and an insulating gas chamber. The interior layer of glass is made from tempered glass, though. The result is a window that is hard to break on the outside, well insulated, and won't cause injury inside if the interior layer of glass were to break.
Contact an impact window service to learn which options are suitable for your home and needs.
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