The Different Types of Glass Panes
In modern window construction, glass panes are almost exclusively made with two or more layers of glass, separated by one or more spacers (air gaps). Additionally, energy-efficient double or triple glazing is often used, with an extra insulating film applied to the outer side to enhance the thermal sealing of the window.
Window glass typically has a thickness of 4 mm, but thicker options are also available. For large glass surfaces, a thickness of 6 mm or 8 mm may be required. Notably, glass used for sound insulation generally consists of panes with greater thickness, offering better noise protection.
Sound-Insulating Glass
Glass designed for noise protection is typically thicker—for example, it may feature 8 mm glass on the outside and 4 mm on the inside.
The performance of this type of sound-insulating glass is significantly better than that of standard panes commonly used in window construction.
Solar Control or Thermal Insulating Glass Panes
Solar control glass panes are used to prevent rooms from overheating too much or too quickly. During the manufacturing process, a reflective coating or surface film is applied to the glass—typically containing materials like iron oxide or copper oxide—that either reflects or absorbs solar radiation.
Benefits of solar control glass:
- Reduces the risk of interior overheating.
- Provides shading by allowing less natural light to pass through.
- Offers sun protection without the need for additional shading systems.
Safety
Triplex safety glass can prevent various types of hazards such as injuries, falls, or break-ins. It is made of glass sheets bonded together with special interlayer films.
When to Install Safety Glass
Safety glass is designed to withstand higher impact pressure, making it ideal in situations where enhanced protection against break-ins or injury is required. Additionally, due to its increased thickness, safety glass also provides improved thermal insulation and soundproofing.
When a safety glass pane breaks, it shatters into very small fragments that remain held together, minimizing the risk of injury or damage. Safety glass typically has no sharp edges, significantly reducing the danger upon breakage.
Triplex Glass (Laminated Safety Glass)
Triplex, or laminated glass, is manufactured using at least two layers of glass bonded together with one or more polyvinyl butyral (PVB) films, each with a thickness of 0.38 mm.
These different materials are fused under high pressure and temperature, forming a strong and highly durable pane. Thanks to this process—where thin films and glass sheets are compressed and bonded—Triplex glass gains its key protective and performance-enhancing properties.