3 Impact-Resistant Options For Commercial Glass

Glass is prominent in the design of many commercial spaces. While large windows can let natural light fill your retail space, it can also create a weak point in your building's exterior. Impact-resistant glass is a must for any commercial building.

There are a few different options available, so take the time to consider all your options before investing in replacement glass for your commercial space.

1. Polycarbonate

One of the newer impact-resistant glass options available on the market isn't glass at all. Polycarbonate is a polymer that is translucent. Installing a polycarbonate panel in each of your commercial building's windows can be a great way to improve the security of your space.

It's difficult to break through polycarbonate with a rock, hammer, or another object. The strength of polycarbonate can help protect your building against flying projectiles that might damage a less durable type of commercial glass.

2. Laminated Insulated Glass

Another glass option available for commercial properties is laminated insulated glass. This unique product offers both strength and energy efficiency, making it one of the more popular choices for replacement windows.

A laminated insulated glass pane has two distinct layers. One is a layer of laminated glass, and the other is an inner layer of standard glass. Laminated glass is created by sandwiching a durable polyvinyl sheet between two panes of glass. This design helps the laminated glass resist shattering upon impact.

The standard glass layer paired with the laminate contains a specialized gas that helps prevent heat transfer. You can use laminated insulated glass to reduce your utility expenses while simultaneously protecting your windows against serious damage.

3. Tempered Glass

Most business owners have heard of tempered glass. This is a very common glass product used in commercial settings. Tempered glass is created by heating traditional glass to an extreme temperature, then cooling the glass rapidly. This thermal process creates a product that is more resistant to breaking on impact.

If a tempered glass window does break, it will not create large shards. Instead, tempered glass will shatter into cube-shaped pieces that don't have any sharp edges. This feature can reduce the likelihood of a customer or employer being injured if a commercial window does break.

Impact resistance is an important consideration when replacing commercial glass. Talk to your contractor about polycarbonate, laminated insulated glass, and tempered glass to determine which option will benefit your commercial space.