When it comes to choosing the right glass for your commercial property, safety and performance should never be compromised. Whether you’re a business owner designing a storefront, renovating an office, or upgrading your building’s security features, laminated glass is a solution worth serious consideration. Let’s break down the ins and outs!
What is laminated glass?
Laminated glass is a type of safety glass engineered to stay intact when broken. It’s constructed by sandwiching a flexible, adhesive interlayer—most often polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)—between two or more layers of standard glass. This combination is then bonded under heat and pressure in a process called lamination.
The result? A durable, resilient sheet of glass that doesn’t shatter into dangerous shards when broken. Instead, the pieces remain stuck to the interlayer, reducing the risk of injury and increasing overall structural security.
How Laminated Glass Is Made
The lamination process involves three key steps:
- Glass Cutting and Cleaning: Sheets of float glass are cut to the desired size and thoroughly cleaned to remove impurities or particles that could interfere with bonding.
- Layering: A plastic interlayer is placed between the glass sheets. Depending on the application, this interlayer may be clear, tinted, frosted, or embedded with decorative or security materials.
- Heating and Pressure: The glass and interlayer sandwich is heated and then passed through rollers or placed in an autoclave, where it is pressurized and permanently bonded.
This method creates a product that not only provides enhanced safety but also aesthetic flexibility and superior acoustic and UV performance.
Top Benefits of Laminated Glass
Using this type of glass in commercial buildings offers numerous advantages to contractors, owners, and renters. Here’s why it’s a smart investment for commercial properties:
Excellent Safety
The core function of laminated glass is to minimize injury. If the glass breaks—whether from impact, a natural disaster, or attempted forced entry— the glass sticks to its inner layer, reducing flying shards and preventing injury. This makes it ideal for storefronts, doors, skylights, and other high-traffic areas.
Intrusion Resistance
Similar to tempered glass, laminated glass is also much stronger than normal glass. Standard glass can easily be broken with a single strike. Alternatively, laminated glass has a stronger bond, making it much harder for intruders to gain entry. This is particularly useful in deterring smash-and-grab thefts or enhancing building security.
Noise Reduction
The interlayer acts as a sound barrier, making laminated glass excellent for urban commercial spaces where traffic, construction, or pedestrian noise can be disruptive. Offices, meeting rooms, and storefronts benefit from the sound-dampening properties.
UV and Solar Control
Laminated glass can block up to 99% of UV rays, helping to preserve furniture, flooring, merchandise, and artwork inside your building. It also improves solar performance, reducing heat buildup and contributing to a more energy-efficient environment.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Laminated glass performs well in harsh weather conditions. Due to its high level of strength, this kind of glass can be used in commercial buildings where the risk of damaging winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes is high. Its construction helps maintain building integrity even when the outer surface is compromised.
Design Flexibility
Laminated glass is highly customizable. From tints to frosts to embedding logos, it can be designed to match a brand’s aesthetic without sacrificing strength or performance.
Common Use Cases for Laminated Glass
This type of glass is incredibly versatile, making it a go-to option for a wide range of commercial applications:
- Storefronts and Curtain Walls – Safety meets style for first impressions that protect your business.
- Office Partitions – Create sleek, modern interiors with sound insulation and privacy.
- Windows and Entry Doors – Ideal for added burglary protection without compromising visibility.
- Skylights and Overhead Glazing – These are required by code in many areas for safety against falling glass.
- Glass Railings and Balconies – A stylish, secure option for elevated areas.
- Display Cases – Keep merchandise safe while showing it off in its best light.
Why work with Tashman Home Center?
At Tashman Home Center, we bring over 60 years of expertise in serving commercial property owners, architects, and contractors across Los Angeles and West Hollywood. Our certified professionals handle everything from consultation and measurements to expert installation of laminated glass systems.
We’re known for our:
- Custom glass cutting and design
- Local code compliance
- In-house installation teams (no subcontractors)
- Family-owned service that puts the customer first
Whether outfitting a brand-new building or upgrading your current space, Tashman Home Center is your partner for quality laminated glass solutions that look great and perform even better.
Get Started Today
Thinking of upgrading your commercial property with laminated glass? We’re here to help! Visit our Commercial Glass Services page to explore all the ways laminated glass can improve your space.
Have a project in mind? Call us at (323) 498-2417 or stop by our West Hollywood showroom to speak with a glass expert today.
