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Skylights are a fantastic addition to any home, bringing in natural light and creating a bright, airy atmosphere. That being said, choosing the right type of skylight isn’t always easy.
One consideration that goes unnoticed is the type of glass your skylight should use. In particular, whether to choose between laminated or tempered glass.
We’ll explore the differences between tempered and laminated glass skylights, helping you make an informed decision for your home.
What Is Tempered Glass?
Tempered glass is a type of safety glass that has been heat-treated to increase its strength and durability. It’s designed to break into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, reducing the risk of injury. Benefits of tempered glass include its resistance to impact and heat, making it ideal for areas prone to high stress or temperature changes. These qualities are particularly beneficial for skylights, as they can withstand harsh weather conditions and potential impacts from debris.
However, a disadvantage of tempered glass is that once it breaks, it shatters completely, which is a safety risk and means it would need immediate replacement to maintain the integrity of your skylight.
What Is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer, providing enhanced safety and security. This interlayer holds the glass pieces together even when broken, preventing shards from falling.
Benefits of laminated glass include its superior sound insulation and UV protection, making it ideal for reducing noise and protecting interiors from sun damage. These qualities are particularly beneficial for skylights, as they ensure safety by preventing glass from falling inwards and contribute to a quieter, more comfortable living environment.
Tempered vs Laminated Glass Skylights
When comparing tempered and laminated glass skylights, it's important to understand their similarities and differences.
Similarities
Both tempered and laminated glass offer advantages for skylights:
- Enhanced safety features compared to regular glass
- Increased strength and durability
- Improved resistance to harsh weather conditions
Differences
Despite their similarities, tempered and laminated glass have distinct characteristics:
- Tempered glass: Shatters into small, blunt pieces when broken, requiring immediate replacement.
- Laminated glass: Remains intact when broken, thanks to the plastic interlayer, providing continuous protection.
- Tempered glass: Offers higher resistance to impact and heat.
- Laminated glass: Provides better sound insulation and UV protection.
Tempered vs Laminated Glass Skylights: Which is better?
While both tempered and laminated glass have their benefits, laminated glass skylights are generally the better choice. They stay intact when shattered, preventing dangerous shards from falling and ensuring superior safety. Additionally, laminated glass skylights offer excellent sound insulation and UV protection, making your home more comfortable and secure.
Tempered glass skylights, though highly resistant to impact and heat, shatter completely upon breaking, posing a risk within your home and leaving the skylight exposed until replaced. In contrast, laminated glass skylights continue to provide protection even after breaking, making them a more reliable and secure option.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways regarding tempered vs laminated glass skylights:
- Both types offer enhanced safety and durability.
- Laminated glass provides continuous protection even when shattered.
- Laminated glass offers superior sound insulation and UV protection.
- Tempered glass is highly impact-resistant but shatters completely when broken.
- Laminated glass is the better choice for a safer, more comfortable daylight solution.
FAQ's
Which is better, laminated or tempered glass skylights?
Laminated glass is generally better for skylights due to its continuous protection even when broken, superior sound insulation, and UV protection. While tempered glass is strong and heat-resistant, its complete shattering upon impact can pose a safety risk until replaced.
What is laminated glass on a skylight?
Laminated glass on a skylight consists of multiple glass layers bonded with a plastic interlayer. This design ensures that even if the glass breaks, the pieces remain stuc to the interlayer, preventing shards from falling and improving safety and durability.
Why is laminated glass better?
Laminated glass is better because it offers continuous protection even when broken, preventing pieces of glass from falling. It also provides better sound insulation and UV protection, making your home quieter and safer from harmful sun rays. These benefits make it ideal for skylights.
Is laminated glass more expensive than tempered glass?
Yes, laminated glass is usually a bit more expensive than tempered glass due to its complex construction involving multiple layers and a plastic interlayer. However, the added safety, sound insulation, and UV protection justifies the slightly higher cost, especially for skylight applications.
What are the disadvantages of tempered glass?
The main disadvantage of tempered glass is that it shatters completely into small, blunt pieces upon impact, requiring immediate replacement to maintain safety and integrity. This can leave your skylight exposed and less secure until the glass is replaced.
