Though it has been used in the U.S. automotive industry for nearly a century, laminated glass for non-automotive applications was relatively uncommon until Hurricane Andrew (1992). The aftereffects of that storm made clear the need to do better protecting ourselves from hyper-storms and other natural disasters. Shortly thereafter, research out of Texas Tech University’s National Wind Institute (NWI)—specifically related to debris impact during severe storms—introduced much of the building industry to the benefits of laminated glass.

Since Andrew, the use of laminated glass as a versatile building component—and not just for impact protection—has grown remarkably. Whether in commercial or residential buildings, laminated glass is used for safety, security, UV blocking, sound attenuation, and decorative elements.

A fundamental understanding of the strengths and limitations of laminated glass can be an advantage on a project for any designer or builder. Knowing when, where, and how to apply which of the different glass options is all good information to have at the ready.

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass consists of two or more lites permanently bonded to a plastic interlayer, resulting in a single glass unit that resists blunt-force penetration and remains largely integral even when broken. Think car windshields, skylights, and impact-resistant windows. Unlike tempered glass, laminated glass can be cut, drilled, polished, or otherwise fabricated following lamination without affecting product performance.

Not all laminated glass interlayers are the same. They vary in stiffness, strength, UV- and sound-resistance properties, and they come in different thicknesses and adhesion ratings. Interlayers are available in multiple colors, with visible light transmission (VT) ranging from completely transparent to opaque, which means they can be used for a variety of privacy and/or aesthetic purposes.

Consider “frosted glass.” Typically, it is either acid-etched or sandblasted, depending…