Do Laminated Windows Keep Out the Sun?

Manufacturing

• Laminate glass is made by taking sheets of glass that have been slowly cooled, strengthening their internal structure. The two pieces are then bonded to a layer of plastic, called polyvinyl butyral, or PVB, through heat and pressure. The PVB is sandwiched between the glass layers and is known as the interlayer. Depending on the manufacturer, other coatings might be added to increase the laminate glass window's ability to reflect light and heat.

Uses

• Laminate glass is used in car windshields to prevent injuries stemming from shattered glass. Laminated windows can also be used in storefronts, skyscrapers and other structures that require a lot of glass. Airplane windows are made of three layers of laminated glass to withstand the immense pressure of air travel. Laminated windows also appear in jails, prisons, schools and other institutions seeking to minimize potential injuries. In hurricane-prone areas, many residential buildings choose to install laminated glass to minimize damages.

Solar Control

• Of all the commercial glass available, laminated glass provides the most comprehensive blockage of UV light, with 99 percent of the UV rays blocked by the PVB layer in laminated glass. Laminated glass can also reduce heat transmission, keeping an interior cooler than with standard commercial glass. Tinted laminated windows can reduce glare from the sun and cut the amount of light that penetrates.

Other Benefits

• Laminate glass windows offer other benefits besides blocking out harmful UV rays and keeping heat transfer to a minimum. The safety aspect of laminated windows can be increased with extra coats of external glazing. Laminated glass in windows offers increased scratch resistance, improved soundproofing and simple chip repair. Other positive characteristics of laminated glass windows include durability and shatter-resistance in extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, from hailstorms to earthquakes.