We see glass in the walls of high-rise commercial buildings, in the windows of houses, in the windscreens of vehicles, around pools and as a part of doors. Then there are tumblers, fine crystal, cookware, bottles, jars, glassware, mirrors – and the list goes on.

There are so many types of glass, and while it is an aesthetically pleasing and useful material, when enough force is applied, glass can break and shatter. With so much glass around us all, it is wise to be aware of the type of glass around your home and workplace.

So, here’s a short guide on the three most common glass types that are used and where, as well as how they break.

The classifications of glass and its features

There are many different types of glass for many different glass applications. Certain applications require that you use toughened or laminated safety glass, while others require double glazed or standard glass.

Here are the three most common glass types and their unique characteristics:

1. Float or Annealed (Standard) Glass

Float or annealed glass is a basic glass product formed from the heating and cooling stages of the “float” manufacturing process. This is the base glass that is used in the value-added production of other glass products such as laminated, various coated environmental glasses and in the manufacturing of mirrors by using a reflective coating as a backing.

How it is used:

This glass is predominantly used for windows, decorative tabletops and mirrors.

How it breaks:

Float/annealed glass breaks easily with only moderate force, shattering to produce long, sharp splinters which can pose a serious safety risk.

2. Laminated Safety Glass

Laminated glass is classified as a safety glass type and is made up of two or more sheets of glass. These glass sheets are held together permanently by an interlayer such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB), with the advantage that in case of breakage, it generally holds together by breaking into a spider-web pattern.

How it is used:

Laminated glass is a cost-effective alternative to toughened glass and can be used for most of the same purposes as it can be cut to size after manufacture. In fact, this is very commonly used in households, as well as for motor vehicle windscreens.

How it breaks:

Laminated glass may crack under high pressure, but all of the shard pieces tend to hold together, adhering to the plastic vinyl interlayer. This interlayer helps keep the broken glass together, which helps with security and weatherproofing (until it can be replaced).

3. Toughened Safety Glass

Toughened safety glass (also known as tempered glass) is up to five times stronger than standard float glass of the same thickness and has a much higher breakage and load resistance. It also has a lesser risk of thermal breakage compared to other types of glass.

How it’s used:

You can see tempered or toughened glass throughout the home: from shower screens and front doors to windows and pool fences. It’s also used in furniture such as coffee tables and dining tables.

How it breaks:

Toughened glass is weaker on the edges, but like any glass it can be broken (if enough force is used). When broken, the glass breaks into small pieces that (as opposed to shards), which reduces the risk of injury.

For more information, see What to do when glass breaks at home or the office.

Safety around glass: what to look for when selecting glass and who can replace it

While glass is a fundamental element in any home or business, there are three main things to consider when thinking about using glass:

• Natural light
• Solar heat gain
• Thermal conductivity

By choosing the right glass type, you can enjoy the view and natural light while helping to control UV and glare. You can also experience the benefits of the natural warming effect of solar heat during winter and reduce its direct temperature impact during summer, somewhat insulating your home against excessive heat loss or gain.

It’s strongly recommended to have all glass installed and replaced by a professional glazier. This is to ensure that the installation is carried out correctly and that you won’t have any issues later down the track.

Have your glass fixed and replaced by your local glazing experts

At O’Brien®, our local glazing experts can provide you with all kinds of quality glass products and glazing services – from emergency replacement and new glass installation, to shower screens, window tinting, pet doors in windows and glass doors and more.

Contact us today and we’ll help you prepare, protect and improve your home or office with quality glazing services – with the right type of glass for every application. For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

Check out our O'Brien^® glass experts smashing some glass below!

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O'Brien Glass^® glaziers are experts in all things glass. We have a long history of using glass to enhance homes and office spaces.

So, here are a few pointers from our glazing experts on how you can utilise the many benefits of glass to assist you with making informed decisions when building or renovating your home or office.

Indoor climate control and energy efficiency

Modern architectural design often uses glass for a stylish, contemporary feel whilst providing natural light inside the home or office and protection from outside elements.

However, you may not be aware that a standard piece of glass can be a poor insulator, making it less effective in controlling heat gain or loss. As a result, the glass industry has developed a variety of solar and thermal control glass that can help mitigate the harsh extremes of the Australian climate – making it ideal for buildings countrywide.

O'Brien^® offers a range of specialised window film solutions that deliver several climate control benefits to your home. For instance, our ‘Energy Star Rated’ solar film can help keep your home cool, protected from UV rays, and safe from glare, which provides resistance to heat flow and can help lower your heating or cooling costs.

Noise reduction and sound insulation

Is your home or office located within a busy environment? If so, sound control is vital to keep your space peaceful and comfortable.

All types of glass allow the passage of sound but in varying degrees. Generally, the thicker the glass is, the better the sound dampening properties.

Due to its makeup, laminated glass has better sound insulation qualities, and double glazing also helps with sound dampening.

Gaps or cracks around the window frame can also compromise the acoustic qualities of the glass. So, if you need help reducing unwanted noise, we recommend consulting an O'Brien^® glazier for expert advice and quality workmanship.

Storm and bandit resistance

One of the most common causes of glass breakage is external impact. Therefore, installing the correct type of glass is essential to protect your property against unfortunate incidents such as theft and severe weather.

Because of its Polyvinyl Butyral interlayer, laminated safety glass is recommended by O'Brien^® experts in high traffic areas like shopfronts. When it breaks, this type of glass forms a web-like pattern with a tendency to remain within its frame, increasing the amount of time and effort needed to access your property or office. However, even when broken, laminated safety window glass can continue to be a barrier against intruders, debris, projectiles and the weather – an extra layer of protection for you, your business and your family.

Privacy

Other than installing blockout blinds or curtains, several glass solutions offer varying degrees of privacy depending on your preference and needs. For example, O'Brien^® offers different types of window tinting and films for your privacy. With this solution, you can usually customise the level of light required in your space to suit your needs.

It is, however, important to note that tinted windows don’t always offer much privacy at night, especially when the illumination inside your home is greater than the outside environment. Therefore, for optimum privacy, we suggest you pair tinted windows with blinds or curtains.

Decorative and frosted glass are also effective solutions to increase privacy in your home or office. These can make bathrooms, meeting rooms, offices or room partitions more private. If you’re looking for a more affordable and temporary alternative, decorative glass can also be a great option. O'Brien^® can supply, install and replace decorative and frosted glass tailored to your needs.

Fire protection

When using glass in the kitchen, such as splashbacks behind stovetops, it is important to use glass products that meet the requirements under Australian Standards AS4551/AG101 and AS5601/AG601. These Standards are designed to help prevent excessive heat and possible fire in combustible materials such as walls that sit behind a glass splashback.

For bushfire prone areas, Australian Standard AS3959–2018 prescribes the use of fire-rated glazing to help reduce your home’s risk of ignition. Fire-resistant glazing helps reduce the spread of fire in your home through the use of specialist glass, framing and installation methods.

Be sure to consult your trusted O'Brien^® expert and local relevant authorities for the appropriate glazing solution to your individual needs.

Are you ready to make your home or workspace better with glass?

At O'Brien^®, if there is one thing we know, it’s glass and how it can make a difference to our customers. With over 95 years of experience, we are here to help you make your home or office a better place – no matter where you are in Australia.

Simply reach out to your trusted O'Brien^® experts and talk to our friendly advisors for the appropriate glazing solution that’s tailored to your needs. Call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message.

The post 5 Ways Glass Can Help You Build A Better Home Or Office appeared first on O'Brien.

Bandit Resistant is typically used in commercial applications such as vulnerable shopfronts, windows and doorways susceptible to break in. It is also used in a variety of other ‘at risk’ applications such as pay booths, jewellery counters and display counters, providing resistance against ‘smash and grab’ theft attempts.

Our latest generation of security glass is aimed at enhancing domestic and commercial security to increase your personal safety as well as offering added protection to your assets.

Features:
Resists penetration and forced entry – glass may break but interlayer retains integrity and continues to act as a barrier.
Withstands repeated blows from heavy objects such as bricks, hammers and crowbars.
Improved resistance to accidental impact – safer for families.

Watch our video below to see how Cruise Mode host, Shannon Noll tried to break O'Brien® Bandit Resistant glass without luck 

Whether you have broken glass or just looking to upgrade, you can have your window or door fitted with O'Brien® Bandit Resistant glass. Contact us 24/7 on 1800 059 829 or request a booking online at obrienglass.com.au.

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