Can Laminated Glass be Used in Hybrid® Balustrade Systems?

 

Our Hybrid® Balustrades are incredibly versatile; they have been designed to accommodate various glass options to suit our customers' different needs and requirements. As standard, our Hybrid® Balustrade systems are installed with clear 10mm single panels of toughened glass, but if a customer requests it, the Hybrid® systems can also be installed with 10.8mm laminated glass, a reliable alternative.

Toughened glass and laminated glass are the most commonly used safety glass in the UK, and at first glance, these two types might be indistinguishable, but they both have distinct, individual properties that make them better suited to different domestic settings.

Read on to discover whether laminated glass is suitable for you and your property and find out what laminated glass options we have available.

Stunning laminated glass Hybrid ® Aerofoil Balustrade in the sun

 

What is Laminated Glass?

Safety is the number one priority when it comes to glass balustrades, which is why many people are drawn to the security element of laminated glass, renowned for its ability to remain intact under impact.

Laminated glass consists of two pieces of glass sandwiching a transparent, plastic interlayer usually made from EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) or PVB (polyvinyl butyral). The two pieces of glass have been tempered and reinforced to be approximately four times stronger than regular float glass which gives the glass a far greater breakage resistance. The laminated glass is a robust structure that will take considerable force to break, but in the unlikely situation it does break, the glass will stay intact as a whole structure and will not break into large, jagged shards. This happens thanks to the plastic interlayer that is sandwiched between the two glass sheets. The plastic resin bonds the two panes together like glue so if the glass breaks, the broken fragments remain bound to the film membrane. The resin also means that one side of the glass can shatter without causing the other side to do the same. This highly practical safety feature greatly reduces the chances of injury occurring from fallen shards of glass and is especially useful in households with small children and pets.

A row of impressive, laminated glass Hybrid ® Aerofoil Balustrades

 

The resin’s ability to hold and support the glass panels in a uniformed layer without creating any holes or exposed areas greatly minimises the chance of injury occurring from someone falling through the exposed gap where the glass panel used to be. This characteristic is beneficial as the robust panels can retain a whole structure until a replacement panel is installed.

Laminated glass will remain glued to the plastic interlayer when shattered

 

The sandwiched interlayer gives the glass structural integrity, but it also reduces the transmission of harmful Ultraviolet rays. The plastic interlayer offers UV protection as it filters out damaging rays, which will benefit the lifespan of your garden furniture by minimising its fading and bleaching over time!

There’s a common misunderstanding that the thicker, laminated glass is stronger than a single panel of 10mm toughened glass, when in fact, this isn’t the case. Contrary to popular thought, the laminated glass wouldn’t be as strong as the 10mm panel on initial impact. The 10mm monolithic panel would actually be 20% stronger when subjected to a forceful impact. The main advantage over toughened glass is that our laminated glass will remain adhered to the membrane when it has been shattered.

 

Available Laminated Glass Options

We have an unwavering commitment to quality and safety, which is why we only use materials that have undergone thorough product research and testing to ensure that we provide our customers with the highest standard of building materials. We have selected and sourced a 10.8mm laminated glass for our Hybrid® systems, which will fit snuggly in the systems’ base track.

10.8mm Laminated Glass = 2 x 5mm Toughened Glass Panels + 0.8mm Plastic Membrane

 

We also offer a slightly thicker 11.5mm size, which uses more plastic resin between the 5mm glass sheets. Using this size depends on the application – you can discuss glass thickness with one of our Specialist Product Consultants at the point of order.

11.5mm Laminated Glass = 2 x 5mm Toughened Glass Panels + 1.5 Plastic Membrane

 

Two panels of toughened glass sandwiching a plastic interlayer

 

The slightly thicker glass panel would be installed exactly the same way a standard 10mm monolithic panel would be, and it doesn’t require any extra personnel to lift. The 10.8mm laminated sheet is also compatible with our standard Juliet Balconies, Aerofoil Infinity Screen and Orbit Privacy Screen systems.

Moving on from our Hybrid® Systems, we have two larger sizes available in laminated glass suitable for our Frameless systems. A 21.5mm laminated panel is incorporated in our Frameless Juliet Balconies and Frameless Glass Balustrade – the robust, double-sheeted glass lends its increased strength to the system’s structure. A thicker 25.5mm sheet is available for Frameless Glass Balustrades with a 1.5kN loading. This bulker size is necessary for non-residential properties where people might congregate as the glass can account for the greater structural demands placed on the glass.

 

Laminated Glass Finishes

When it comes to choosing the right finish for your laminated glass, the design possibilities are nearly endless…

1. Obscure Glass

Laminated glass can be immediately upgraded to obscure glass with one simple addition – by replacing the transparent resin with a matt, milky white translucent interlayer. This white interlayer allows light to pass through, but it doesn’t reveal the detail to shapes or figures behind the glass, ensuring complete privacy and protection from prying eyes.  

 

Obscure Glass: laminated glass with opaque interlayer

 

2. Coloured Interlayer

If you’re wanting to be expressive and add distinctive hues to your balustrade, you have the option of introducing a coloured interlayer to achieve the look you desire. Whether you choose a subtle or dramatic colour, all interlayer colourants are made up of highly resilient pigments and are designed to provide years of colour durability, even when exposed to direct sunlight.

 

3. Tinted Glass

As well as our traditional clear laminated glass, you have the option of choosing a selection of tinted glass – green, grey, or bronze. When combined with a translucent interlayer, tinted glass can help attain various obscurity levels and gives you the option of extra privacy – perfect if part of your balcony or garden overlooks a neighbouring property or public area.

 

Grey tinted Hybrid® Orbit Balustrade

 

4. BalcoNano® Self-Cleaning Solution

To complete the look, why don’t you get your laminated glass coated in our BalcoNano® self-cleaning solution. The solution forms a hard, water-repellent surface that protects the glass from lodging dirt, grime, and other deposits. The self-cleaning solution keeps your glass sparking without needing visits from a window cleaner.

 

Availability & Cost

So, you’ve now got a good idea of the benefits laminated glass can offer, and naturally, the next thing to question is the price. Laminated glass can be more expensive when compared to our standard 10mm glass due to the complexity of the manufacturing process. To strengthen the glass and bond the glass with the interlayer, the panel is exposed to extreme heat and pressure – this is a process that requires substantial amounts of fuel and energy, which contributes to the increased price tag. Although it is more expensive than standard toughened glass, our laminated glass offers additional safety due to its impact resistance. With this said, our laminated glass balustrades prices are very competitive – talk to our knowledgeable team, who will guide you through the selection process.

 

Outstanding laminated glass patio Balustrade

 

All our laminated glass balustrades are made-to-measure in our Surrey factory. As laminated glass is a bespoke order, you will need to place your order with our Specialist Product Consultants over the phone instead of placing an order online. Our laminated glass balustrades have a 45-calendar day lead time from when the technical drawings have been approved and final payment has been made.

 

Contact Us

Left wanting more? You can read all about our glass balustrades here.

If you have a question, need advice or are ready to put your plans in motion, our experienced team of Balconette professionals are on hand to help – contact us here.