10 Reasons to Choose Laminate Glass

When specifying safety glass for construction projects, there are two options that are recommended: laminated glass and toughened glass. At first glance, these two types may seem indistinguishable, but they both have unique and distinctive qualities that make them suitable for different applications.

Laminated glass is formed when two or more layers of glass are bonded together with tear-resistant plastic film interlayers. This can be either polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate. It’s designed to absorb the energy of a person or item striking it, preventing the pane from being penetrated and any potential injury from flying glass shards.

Toughened glass, also known as tempered glass, is made from regular annealed glass that gets its safety properties from a heating and cooling procedure called tempering. The process involves heating the glass and cooling it immediately. Quickly cooling the incredibly hot glass causes the outside of the glass to harden quicker than the centre. This process leaves the center to tension making the glass significantly stronger and more durable than ordinary glass.

 

 

Each has its own advantages for its particular purpose but the key difference here is when the glass shatters. Toughened glass fractures into many small pieces whilst laminated glass remains in place when broken. That’s why laminated glass is used for skylights, balustrades, curtain walls, and other overhead or sloped glazing installations. If it breaks, it prevents the glass from falling and harming anyone walking under it. The safety and security benefits of laminated glass have also been recognised by Australian education institutions. Based on their own design standards, they have mandated the use of laminated glass for all external and internal glazing up to door height.

Here are more benefits that you can enjoy from using laminated glass:

 

1. Ensures safety from injury

Ordinary window glass is fragile and breaks into long, sharp fragments that can inflict serious harm. Laminated glass can absorb the impact energy and resist penetration because the broken glass pieces stay bound to the interlayer. This greatly reduces the risk of injury from falling glass. It’s one of the top reasons why laminated glass is increasingly specified in compliance with building codes and is required for vehicle windshields worldwide.

 

2. Provides security

Laminated glass, which consists of many glass sheets and interlayers, can provide optimum security. It can withstand break-in attempts by burglars who frequently smash windows to access door and window knobs. Laminated glass can also withstand bullets and bomb blasts. In modern correctional facilities, traditional prison bars have been replaced with laminated security glass for a more humane setting.

 

3. Helps reduce noise

Laminated glass has a greater sound reduction index than monolithic glass of equivalent thickness. Its interlayer’s “viscoelastic” quality can effectively reduce sound between the frequencies of 125Hz and 4,000Hz. Laminated glass can also reduce the coincidence effect that occurs at specific frequencies in monolithic glass. Even using at least one layer of laminated glass can significantly enhance the noise reduction properties of IG units.

 

4. Protects from damaging UV rays

The chemical reaction triggered by UV radiation is the main reason why furniture and artwork in homes and buildings deteriorate over time. With laminated glass, UV-absorbing chemicals in the interlayer can block practically all of these harmful UV rays.

 

5. Promotes energy efficiency

Tinted laminated glass can help control the amount of sunlight, heat, and glare to a more comfortable level. Reflective-coated glass or low-E glass can be combined with heat-absorbing glass tints in laminated glass. This makes it an energy efficient solution in lowering air conditioning costs.

 

6. Offers protection from environmental elements

Laminated glass provides additional protection for homes and buildings that are vulnerable to severe weather conditions or by natural calamities. Earthquakes and flying debris carried by strong winds can damage laminated glass but this will stay firmly in its frame. This helps reduce the risk of injury from falling or scattered shards.

 

7. Versatile for various designs

Laminated glazings can come in different varieties: annealed, toughened, heat-strengthened, spandrel, wired, patterned, coloured, and reflective. They can also be in a flat or curved design. The interlayers can have additional tint or the opacity can be enhanced for aesthetic or privacy requirements. High-resolution digital printing can also be applied to the interlayer before lamination. Since the design is within the glass, it is protected from scratches, stains, fingerprints, or strong cleaning agents.

 

8. Long-lasting durability

Well-made laminated glass is easy to clean and maintain, similar to cleaning ordinary glass. Its colour and strength remain consistently durable over time whilst providing safety and security benefits.

 

9. Minimises visual distortion

“Roller wave” distortion happens during the tempering process of heat-strengthened glass. The reflection on the glass appears warped. Glazing the laminated glass in an annealed condition will prevent this distortion.

 

10. Easy to install

Standard-sized laminated glass panels can be cut to size, drilled or notched for easy installation, whereas toughened glass cannot be cut after it has hardened. Toughened glass also takes more time to manufacture because of its production process. This takes longer to replace and install if it breaks, compared to laminated glass.

 

 

The advantage of Safetyline Jalousie louvres with laminated glass

Australian construction standards prohibit the use of laminated glass in conventional-designed louvres because they have two exposed edges that are open to delamination over time. Safetyline Jalousie’s louvres on the other hand, have the advantage of being framed on three sides. This reduces this risk of delamination which permits the usage of laminate glass in the system. More importantly, it complies with the regulations set out by AS1288-2006 Glass in Buildings – Selection & Installation.

For designers and construction project managers, specifying our louvre window systems can offer the tremendous benefits of laminated glass whilst providing optimum ventilation for healthier air quality. Safetyline Jalousie’s key performance indicators have also been proven to meet the most stringent building and construction standards, opening up opportunities for louvres to be used in more applications than ever before.

For examples of our louvre windows with laminated glass, including schools and high-rise towers, view our Project portfolio here. For further information about our louvre products, get in touch with us on 1300 863 350 or book a free consult here.

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Safetyline Jalousie Design Manual Version 3

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Safetyline Jalousie Design Manual Version 3

Ali Asmar

Business Manager - VIC & SA

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As the most recent addition to the Safetyline Jalousie family, Ali is still coming to terms with the fact that a typical telephone conversation will often be answered with “You’re calling from Safety what”? followed by having to sound out and spell the name “ja-lou-sie” (it happens to us all). Born in Lebanon, Ali has moved around a lot over the years, living in Cyprus, Sydney for most of his Schooling, as well as China and Hong Kong. He currently resides in Melbourne where he spends a lot of time in his garden or doing some sort of work around the house. (Not too dissimilar to many other Melburnians following the onset of Covid). With a very obvious cultured background, Ali is warm and talkative and he’ll get you talking too.

Romile John

National Business Manager

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One of the Safetyine Jalousie originals, Rom (often mistaken for John) holds a great passion for the product. He says its “its innovative, a market leader and ever-evolving, very much like the company itself”. When you meet Rom, it is apparent that he is well-educated and well-travelled. Coming from a family of medical professionals, they moved around extensively and often. Last count was 125 countries. So nearly all of them! It’s really no surprise that Rom has mastered packing a weeks-worth of clothes and necessities into a carry-on bag. And when we say clothes we actually mean meticulously prepared outfits and accessories. When Rom enters a room, you’re sure to know it!

Adam Racomelara

National Manager – Partnerships & Strategy

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Adam is our strategist and big ideas generator whose somewhat reserved nature could have some mistake him as a bit of an introvert. But that’s only until this quiet thinker is given a whiteboard and a marker – and then there’s no stopping the dialogue! 7 Years in at Safetyline Jalousie, Adam is continually expanding on his knowledge of the construction industry and is incredibly driven in his pursuit to help create better buildings via the use of better products. When Adam’s not on his quest to improve Australia’s built environment he’s spending most weekends escorting one of his 4 young kids to birthday parties, sometimes multiple parties. He has some stealth survival tips for other parents currently in the same predicament.

Michael Cocks

Factory Manager

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Michael has become recognised at Safetyline Jalousie for his continually changing hairstyles (facial hair included). Buzz cut, undercut, dreadlocks, even a mullet. We’ve see it all. His current man bun could even be gone before we finish this sentence. Always up for a laugh, friends and colleagues love a chat with Michael, and his easy-going and approachable nature has earned him the respect of all staff. In fact, he even has a cohort of followers on the factory floor sporting his same hairstyles. Outside of work Michael has recently turned his attention to mountain bike riding. His very first ride ended with a pretty serious accident resulting in a deep puncture wound to his leg– it’s been a sore topic for his leg and his ego.

Jonathan Gueudinot

National Logistics & Production Manager

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Our South American Native, Jonathan is more simply and better known as “Chilli” (no need to try and guess his country of origin). After 16 years of military service, Chilli joined the Safetyline Jalousie team for what he describes as “a change of pace”. Although his average work day might look very different these days, there’s no doubt that Chilli’s previous experience has contributed in shaping a culture of commitment, community and comradery within the production team – the very important engine room of our company. Driven by a sense of accomplishment, in addition to running Safetyline Jalousie’s production line with military precision, Chilli has recently been studying hard to complete his Master’s Degree in Business and Logistics.

Mandy Saliba

Marketing Manager

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Mandy has been with Safetyline jalousie since day one so would technically be considered a geriatric in “Jalousie years”. Whilst her role has changed and evolved over her time with the business, one thing that hasn’t is the happy and fun, team culture that she says “continues to make each day at work a joy”. As a mum of two little ones, Mandy thrives on new challenges and a little bit of chaos. Although, as a self-proclaimed clean freak, she ensures that all forms of chaos are kept in a very neat and tidy manner. We’ve also observed that Mandy appears to have an inherent fear of colour and will almost only ever be seen in black or white (or sometimes grey if she is being really out there).

Lisa Spinks

Office Administration Manager

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As a busy mother of 4, Lisa is highly skilled in organising, delegating, and troubleshooting – the proficiencies which she also demonstrates in her daily management of the Safetyline Jalousie office. Lisa tells us that she lives by the saying “What doesn’t break you makes you stronger”. (No doubt she’s had to use this little piece or personal encouragement from time to time to deal with our infinite requests)! Always on the go, Lisa has a very active lifestyle and starts every day with a walk to the beach with her husband and two dogs. Of an evening she still has the energy to spare for star jumps and squats in her makeshift gym/ (our office) before heading home to her other full-time job as “mum”.

 

 

 

Nathan Rust

Founder & National Operations Director

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The younger brother of the co-founding sibling duo, “Nath” is the go-to for just about every technical, install, and manufacturing enquiry that comes via the business. Very early on, Nath’s product knowledge and problem-solving ability saw him organically take on the role of Operations, overseeing the design and management of Safetyline Jalousie’s behind-the-scenes work. When he’s off duty (and not answering a million questions), Nath enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 young kids. You’ll find him cheering on his son at weekend sports, enjoying the water somewhere along the Northern beaches and this lover of food is generally always planning his next big meal. Preferably a Lebanese banquet if anyone can suggest a restaurant he doesn’t frequent already.

Leigh Rust

Founder & Director

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Leigh aka “Wolfpack” is one-half of the driving force behind Safetyline Jalousie and comes with two decades of experience within the Australian manufacturing and construction industry. The multi-award-winning entrepreneur and father of three youngsters is a passionate advocate for supporting Australian-made goods and improving the built environment for future generations to come. Always up for a challenge, Leigh never sits still and is constantly pushing himself to test his physical and mental endurance. He’s given just about everything a go. From amateur MMA fights, triathlons, or personal development endeavours, Leigh stands by the motto, ‘I never lose, either I win or I learn’.

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