classic glass & mirror

About Glass

How to read glass

Tempered

Tempered glass is safety glass. It’s certainly a mess to cleanup, but better than a potential trip to the ER.

Tempered glass breaks like this

Insulated

Insulated glass consist of two glass panes conjoined together with a ban between them. The idea behind insulated glass is to keep heat outside of your home. When that seal breaks you may need to call us.

Insulated glass unit that has gone bad (broken seal, trapping hot air and moisture between two glass panes! (Hence the fog)

Laminated

Laminated glass consists of two or more pieces of glass laminated together. The glass is considered safety glass for best use in high traffic areas or for a added layer of protection.

Two pieces of glass fused together, when broken generally holds together. Best used for storefront doors and high volume areas, when glass is accidentally broken there is a much lower chance of injury due to the strength of laminated glass.

Annealed / plate

Annealed glass also known as plate glass, is just like any other glass… except it’s not. Plate glass is the most common form of glass. It is very breakable especially as it stands the test of time plate glass becomes more and more brittle. It does not hold together when broken and is extremely sharp !

Don’t touch that ! Leave it to the professionals. When handling annealed/ plate glass be very careful not to glide or poke the edges. The glass is very sharp and can cut you easily. Avoid standing under large pieces that are broken.

Tinted

If you can scrape the surface off with a razor blade, then you have tinted glass.

Carefully with a razor cut into the glass at an angle, if you can peel a thin layer of film from the surface then your glass has been tinted/ filmed. If you cannot peel anything up, your glass has color from the manufacture and will need to be changed if you don’t like the shade.

Single pane

Could be annealed, tempered, or laminated. Generally single pane is annealed glass.

A single piece of glass in the opening, generally not safety glass.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic polymer that is known for its exceptional impact resistance, optical clarity, and durability. It has a wide range of applications, including use in commercial storefront doors and windows. Here are some key details about polycarbonate:

  1. Impact Resistance:
    Polycarbonate is significantly more impact-resistant than traditional glass, making it an ideal material for applications where safety and security are a concern. It can withstand high-impact blows without shattering or cracking.
  2. Optical Clarity:
    Polycarbonate has a high level of optical clarity, similar to that of glass. This allows for excellent visibility and light transmission, making it suitable for use in windows and glazing applications.
  3. Lightweight:
    Polycarbonate is much lighter in weight compared to glass, which can be an advantage for certain applications, such as in large storefront windows or doors that need to be easily operable.
  4. Thermal Insulation:
    Polycarbonate has better thermal insulation properties than glass, which can help improve the energy efficiency of a building by reducing heat transfer
  5. Customization:
    Polycarbonate can be fabricated and shaped into a variety of sizes and forms, allowing for greater design flexibility in commercial storefront applications.
  6. Durability:
    Polycarbonate is highly durable and resistant to weathering, UV exposure, and chemical degradation, making it a long-lasting choice for outdoor applications.

In the context of commercial storefronts, polycarbonate is often used as an alternative to traditional glass, providing superior impact resistance and safety while maintaining a clear, modern appearance. Its versatility and performance characteristics make it a popular choice for storefront windows, doors, and other glazing applications.

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