Options: laminated, toughened and tinted glass

[phykell]

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of renovating my property and I have been asked what type of glazing I want.

I'm interested in using tinted glass for privacy, both upstairs and downstairs but I also want laminated glass for security, certainly on the ground floor anyway - the upstairs can have toughened glass if that's easier/cheaper.

As I understand it, I can't have toughened, laminated glass with a tint - the tint can ony be applied to one of the panes in a DG unit. I did wonder about a triple-glazed unit with one laminated, one toughened and one tinted but the cost would be prohibitive.

I've just been told by my builder that certain windows will need to be toughened glass due to safety regulations and my question is therefore: is laminated glass not classed as safety glass anyway? And if so, surely it means I can have laminated windows all round if I want. I did try and search for an answer to this but no-one definitely says that UK building regulations allows for laminated glass to replace toughened glass in terms of safety requirements if the glazing is below a given height.

Thanks

 

[JohnD]

you can order double glazed units with laminated glass.

I did for a patio door

they are rather thick and very heavy.

and more expensive

Replacement units are made to order so you can have whatever you want.

 

[JohnD]

I don't know the validity of this document but it says, among other things:

Glass and Building Regulations
Impact Safety
England and Wales
Approved Document N
Scotland
Part P
Northern Ireland
Part V​

"There are three safety glazing classifications: A (the highest), B,
and C (the lowest).

Pilkington Toughened Safety Glass would always obtain a Class
A classification

Pilkington Laminated Safety Glass with a PVB (poyvinylbutyral)
or CIP (cast-in-place) interlayer would normally achieve at least a
Class B classification depending on the glass and interlayer thickness.
Further information is given in the Pilkington Data Sheet
‘Pilkington Laminated Safety Glass.’

Wired glass such as Pilkington Pyroshield Safety Glass would
obtain a Class C classification

Glasses meeting these requirements and intended for use as safety
glasses must be permanently marked as conforming to BS 6206"


https://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk...gs/building-regulations/england/impact-safety

 

[ronniecabers]

Laminate is most definitely a safety glass. In fact it is now specified under Document Q in all new builds for all doors. It is more expensive than toughened 4mm glass however

Are you after a grey or bronze tint ? If so you can get it in a 4mm tough glass ( and thicker if you require ) and therefore you can have you laminate and toughened sealed unit

Also as a side note to John D's post above Bs 6206 was superceded by En 12150 several years ago and that is the mark you will be looking for

 

[JohnD]

Laminate is most definitely a safety glass. In fact it is now specified under Document Q in all new builds for all doors. It is more expensive than toughened 4mm glass however

great news.

it's my choice for downstairs doors and windows.

Also as a side note to John D's post above Bs 6206 was superceded by En 12150 several years ago and that is the mark you will be looking for

Ta

 

[phykell]

Laminate is most definitely a safety glass. In fact it is now specified under Document Q in all new builds for all doors. It is more expensive than toughened 4mm glass however

Are you after a grey or bronze tint ? If so you can get it in a 4mm tough glass ( and thicker if you require ) and therefore you can have you laminate and toughened sealed unit

Also as a side note to John D's post above Bs 6206 was superceded by En 12150 several years ago and that is the mark you will be looking for

Thanks - it's the grey tint I want and good to know that I can have it

 

[ronniecabers]

@JohnD

Just a side note, doc q does specify 6.8 lami however

 

[phykell]

I don't know the validity of this document but it says, among other things:

Glass and Building Regulations
Impact Safety
England and Wales
Approved Document N
Scotland
Part P
Northern Ireland
Part V​

"There are three safety glazing classifications: A (the highest), B,
and C (the lowest).

Pilkington Toughened Safety Glass would always obtain a Class
A classification

Pilkington Laminated Safety Glass with a PVB (poyvinylbutyral)
or CIP (cast-in-place) interlayer would normally achieve at least a
Class B classification depending on the glass and interlayer thickness.
Further information is given in the Pilkington Data Sheet
‘Pilkington Laminated Safety Glass.’

Wired glass such as Pilkington Pyroshield Safety Glass would
obtain a Class C classification

Glasses meeting these requirements and intended for use as safety
glasses must be permanently marked as conforming to BS 6206"


https://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk...gs/building-regulations/england/impact-safety

Thanks - I went down the rabbit hole after that and ended up concluding (and confirmed by ronniecabers) that laminated glass is within the category, "safety glass" - there was an article on the UK Planning Portal that then linked to the relevant documentation.

 

[ronniecabers]

Thanks - it's the grey tint I want and good to know that I can have it

Only thing to watch is if you are replacing the entire frame or wanting to use Energy efficient glass you will need a laminate that has a low e pane, that might be the one thing that stops you having you desired glass. I can't remember if Lami is available in low e...

 

[phykell]

Only thing to watch is if you are replacing the entire frame or wanting to use Energy efficient glass you will need a laminate that has a low e pane, that might be the one thing that stops you having you desired glass. I can't remember if Lami is available in low e...

Noted - I'm probably going for an air-source heat pump so I do need to optimise the glazing accordingly.

 

[JohnD]

@JohnD

Just a side note, doc q does specify 6.8 lami however

yes, I think that is the thinnest.

 

[ronniecabers]

There are 4.4 and 6.4 lami's ( shortage of 6.4 right now though lol)

 

[crank39]

Doubt 4.4 meets EN12150 as I'm sure it didn't meet BS6206

 

[ronniecabers]

Absolutely right Crank 4.4 Lami hasn't any safety certificates...I'd never recommend 4.4 for use in areas a safety glass is needed ...its also more expensive than the others. honestly I'm not even sure why it exists LOL​

 

[crank39]

When I was doing lots of glazing back in the day, mainly residential but some commercial and schools, in those we fitted 'anti sun' in blue, green, bronze and grey and was available I toughened 4, 6, 8, and 10 and laminated 6.4, 8.8 and 10.8, is anti sun still a thing or is it called something else now?