When it comes to commercial glass in Baytown, it does much more than just frame your business; it also serves as the primary line of defense against storms, forced entry, and daily safety risks. If you’re a business owner in Baytown, you may be wondering what your options are when it comes to commercial safety glass and how the different options can affect your storefront’s security. Businesses on the Texas Gulf Coast have to face a slew of environmental challenges that make choosing and maintaining your commercial glass extremely important. At Joey’s Glass in Baytown, we understand how overwhelming it can be to research and choose the perfect type of safety glass for your storefront. Because of this, we strive to help our clients find the perfect commercial glass solution for their business in Baytown.
To start, it is essential to understand the two primary types of commercial safety glass and why they are excellent options for any Baytown business’s needs:
- Tempered safety glass
- Laminated safety glass
While each type of glass can help boost your storefront windows’ longevity and reliability, they both perform in very different ways. While it might seem like a stressful, high-risk decision, working with Joey’s Glass can help take away the stress and give you the ability to sleep well knowing your business is safe. This blog will help you learn how to choose the best safety glass for your Baytown business.
Tempered Commercial Safety Glass
Tempered safety glass for Baytown commercial businesses offers the utmost level of security. In many cases, it is even required by code. In Baytown, building codes are governed by the International Building Codes, which outline that any storefront window that is larger than 9 feet wide must be equipped with tempered safety glass in order to protect passersby.
What is tempered glass? Tempered glass is made during the manufacturing process. Manufacturers make it considerably stronger than normal glass panes by rapidly heating it to over 600°F, then rapidly cooling it. This process, also called quenching, makes the glass 4-5 times stronger than regular glass. Additionally, it also creates a unique breaking pattern that is the primary reason this type of pane is required in many commercial glass settings. When tempered glass shatters, it turns into small, pebble-like pieces of glass that are completely blunt, which helps prevent many injuries in the case of an accidental breakage.
Ideal applications for tempered glass in commercial settings include:
- High-traffic interior partitions, such as glass office doors
- Shower doors or any wet areas, such as gyms or spas
- Any area where accidental impact is highly likely
While tempered glass is excellent for high-traffic areas because of its danger-free shattering pattern, this unique feature also makes it an easy target for forced entry. This is because tempered glass will break completely upon impact, making an easy entrance point for potential theft or break-ins. Because of this, tempered glass is considered a safety glass, not a security glass.
Laminated Commercial Glass for Superior Security
Although tempered glass boasts significant safety and injury prevention, laminated commercial glass is the superior option for improving your Baytown business’s security. Laminated glass is the best option for creating a boosted barrier defense system for preventing smash-and-grab threats. Unlike tempered glass, which is primarily designed to shatter safely, laminated glass is designed to avoid fully breaking. Its manufacturing is what makes this possible.
This type of commercial glass is made by sandwiching a layer of PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) between two panes of glass. In some cases, multiple layers of glass and PVB are fused for even stronger commercial glass windows. Because of the sticky adhesion between the PVB interlayer and the glass pane, any damage to the pane will usually not cause the glass to fall. This makes breaking and entering much more difficult for robbers, as it is difficult to actually make a hole in the glass due to the plastic layer. This is also ideal for Baytown’s hurricane season, when stray, airborne debris can potentially cause devastating damage.
Because of this, the best places to use laminated glass in your Baytown business include:
- Storefront windows and entryways that could be a break-in risk
- Overhead skylights and sloped installations
- Windows that face noisy, busy streets or industrial lots
When it comes to deciding what kind of commercial safety glass to equip your Baytown business with, laminated safety glass is top-tier for protecting your property. At Joey’s Glass, we provide laminated glass installation that will offer durable, long-lasting results.
Critical Factors for Commercial Safety Glass Decisions
Now that you understand the two main types of commercial safety glass, deciding what is the best option for your specific Baytown business is critical. The five key factors to consider when choosing your commercial safety glass are security needs, location, environmental concerns, aesthetics, and longevity.
If your business is in an area with prevalent smash-and-grab situations, then laminated glass will be a more efficient option. However, if your business has more accidental breakages and foot traffic, then tempered glass will play a key role in preventing injury.
Location can also play a key role in determining what type of safety glass your business needs. Large windows are typically mandated to be laminated in case of breakage, while places that are constantly touched or brushed might be better as tempered.
Additionally, if you’re more concerned about debris and high winds, laminated will offer better protection. However, if you want to avoid rising energy bills and solar gain, then tempered glass will offer better energy efficiency.
Your company’s aesthetic can also play a role in helping you decide between the main types of glass. In some cases, laminated glass that is extra thick might impact clarity. Because of this, if displays are a vital element of your storefront, then tempered glass could be more effective.
Lastly, tempered glass is typically more affordable than laminated glass. While laminated glass is required in some situations, tempered glass is a better option if budget is a large concern for your business.
Why Expert Commercial Glass Installation is Key
Choosing the right commercial safety glass for your Baytown business is a huge decision. Luckily, our team at Joey’s Glass is fully trained to evaluate your unique needs and help you find a solution that offers long-term, reliable solutions. One of the most important reasons to choose a professional glass company like Joey’s Glass is that safety glass must be sized before manufacturing, making small mistakes or discrepancies a huge investment loss. By investing in professional glass installation for your business, you can be sure that you’re receiving the best installation and the most precise work, giving you longer-lasting results.
Secure Your Baytown Business With The Right Safety Glass
Being a business owner in Baytown is stressful. There are countless decisions that you are forced to make every day to support the success of your company. By working with Joey’s Glass, you can be confident in your company’s commercial glass safety and reliability. Our team is expertly skilled at selecting and designing commercial safety glass installations that are visually appealing and efficient. Contact Joey’s Glass today for a complimentary commercial glass estimate for your Baytown business.