We manufacture toughened glass in a range of thicknesses, which include 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm glass. We are the only toughened glass manufacturers in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.
Toughened glass is processed by heat or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal annealed glass.
Tempering by design creates balanced internal stress which causes the glass to break into smaller granular chunks of similar size when broken instead of splintering into random jagged shards.
Typical use for this product is doors and side panels, low level glazing, shower doors/screens, balustrades and table tops.
Toughened glass can be incorporated into double/triple glazed units.
Laminate glass can be two or more layers of toughened or annealed glass held together by an interlayer, typically of PVB (Polyvinyl butyral).
The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded together when broken and if toughened is used the interlayer prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces. This produces a characteristic spider web cracking pattern when the impact is not enough to completely pierce the glass.
Laminate glass is normally used to give added security when there is a possibility of human impact or where the glass could fall if shattered, e.g. skylight glazing, shop fronts and windows.
The PVB layer also gives a much higher sound insulating rating, due to the damping effect and also blocks out 99% of incoming UV radiation. Laminated glass with a thicker interlayer helps achieve a higher acoustic rating.
Westend Glass & Glazing Ltd supply fire resistant glass that gives Integrity* only or Integrity and Insulation**. Both give the safety and fire rating that may be required. Fire glass can also be manufactured as part of double and triple glazing.
Wire mesh glass has a grid or mesh of thin metal embedded within the glass. Wired glass is weaker than unwired glass due to the incursions of the wire into the structure of the glass. Clear wired glass is utilized for its fire resistant abilities and is well rated to withstand heat and hose streams.
The wires prevent the glass from falling out of the frames even if it cracks under thermal stress and is far more heat resistant than a laminated material.
*Integrity is the ability of the glass to remain in the frame when subjected to flames for the period of time for the Integrity specified.
**Insulation is an additional function to integrity. All fire resistant glass has integrity, but not all have insulation. Insulating glasses will limit the rise in temperature on the non-fire side to an average of no more than 140 degrees centigrade and in any one position by no more than 180 degrees centigrade.
For further information on our products or a free quotation please call 01224 897533 or email info@westendglass.com
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