Laminated Glass Replacement in Wellington
Glass and Window Repair Wellington supplies and installs laminated glass across the city. Laminated glass is two panes bonded either side of a tough plastic interlayer. When it breaks, the fragments stay stuck to the interlayer, so the pane cracks but the opening stays closed.
- Holds together on its interlayer when broken
- Better security than toughened glass in a break in position
- Cuts noise and blocks most UV
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That single property is why laminated is the right glass in three situations: after a break in, where you want an intruder to have to work at it instead of step through a cleanly shattered pane; overhead, where falling glass is the hazard; and anywhere noise matters, because the interlayer damps vibration. It also blocks the large majority of UV, which is why it keeps carpets and curtains from fading.
Security glazing after a break in
Toughened glass is strong but when it goes, it goes completely and leaves a clear opening. Laminated glass takes repeated hits and still holds a barrier, which turns a quiet entry into a loud and slow one.
If a break in came through a single glazed pane in a hidden or ground floor position, putting laminated glass back is usually the sensible upgrade and it is a small step up in price.
Noise and UV
The interlayer damps sound, so laminated glass outperforms plain glass of the same thickness on noise. Combined into a double glazed unit with an unequal cavity it is the basis of acoustic glazing.
It also blocks most ultraviolet light. On a north facing lounge with good furniture or artwork in it, that alone can justify the glass.
Overhead and balustrade positions
NZS 4223 treats overhead glazing and balustrades as high consequence positions, because failure means glass falling on someone. Laminated glass stays in the frame when it breaks, so it is the standard choice for canopies, roof glazing and glass balustrades.
Where laminated beats toughened
After a break in
Toughened glass is stronger but when it goes it goes completely, leaving a clean opening. Laminated takes repeated hits and still holds a barrier, so entry becomes slow and loud instead of quick and quiet.
If a break in came through a ground floor pane in a spot nobody overlooks, laminated on the replacement is a small step up in price for a large step up in deterrence.
Overhead and balustrades
Anywhere glass could fall on somebody, the standard treats failure as a high consequence event. Laminated stays in the frame when it breaks, which is exactly the behaviour you want in a canopy, a roof light or a balustrade panel.
Toughened on its own is not appropriate in those positions no matter how thick it is.
Laminated Glass Replacement at a glance
- Construction
- Two panes bonded to a PVB or similar interlayer
- On breaking
- Cracks but stays in one piece and holds the opening
- Security
- Preferred over toughened for vulnerable ground floor openings
- Acoustic
- Damps vibration, the basis of acoustic double glazed units
- UV
- Blocks the large majority of ultraviolet light
- Positions
- Overhead glazing, balustrades, doors and side panels
Laminated Glass Replacement in Wellington: common questions
Is laminated glass better than toughened for security?
Yes. Toughened shatters completely and leaves an open hole. Laminated cracks but stays in place, so it is much harder to get through.
Will laminated glass reduce noise?
It helps on its own and much more as part of an acoustic double glazed unit with unequal pane thicknesses.
Does laminated glass stop fading?
It blocks most UV, which slows fading of carpets, curtains and furniture considerably.
Recent Wellington jobs
Got three quotes for retrofitting the front of the house. Only ones who measured every opening and explained why the north facing rooms needed different glass. Eleven windows over two days, and the road noise dropped more than I expected.
Landlord here. Had four properties assessed for the Healthy Homes ventilation rule and two needed openable sashes freed up rather than new joinery, which saved me a fortune. Straight answers, written report, no upselling.
Ranch slider had been jamming for years and we assumed it needed replacing. Turned out to be rollers and a bent track. Two hours, a fraction of the price we were braced for.
Fogged unit in the lounge, measured on the Tuesday and in by the following Monday. Fair price and they cleaned up after themselves.
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