For many Houston homeowners, the thought of shattered glass is a distant, unimportant concern – until it’s not. Life is full of unexpected moments, good and bad; nobody can perfectly predict every stray football, stumble, or accident. Installing residential safety glass can help give you peace of mind in case of accidents.
Northwest Glass & Mirror has been installing residential safety glass in Houston since 1972 and is a trusted local expert. We want you to have complete confidence in the safety and satisfaction of your home, as well as in our expertise.
Decoding the Science Behind the Pane
You may be asking yourself, “What is residential safety glass, and does my home need it?” The truth of the matter is that what may appear to be a regular piece of glass is a significant means of protecting your loved ones from a variety of hazards.
Safety glass is a type of glass pane that has been engineered over the years to be as strong as possible and safer upon shattering than other types of glass. There are two main types of safety glass for all sorts of residential needs, both yielding similar results, just designed slightly differently:
- Tempered glass is created through a process called quenching. During this process, the glass is heated up to an extremely high temperature, then blasted with cold air. The chemistry of this puts stress on the internal layers of glass and compresses the outer layers. Not only is tempered glass stronger than regular panes, it also shatters into blunt, granular pieces, instead of sharp or jagged shards.
- Laminated glass is made when two panes of regular glass are bonded together with a plastic layer in between, like a sandwich. This can be done with three panes of glass for ultimate strength. What makes laminated glass unique is that when it shatters, the loosened pieces stick to the plastic inner layer, preventing injury from shattered glass
Understanding your residential safety glass options is just the first step toward investing in your home and your safety. Our vetted team of professional glass technicians has years of experience using both types of safety glass and is trained on making sure you are equipped to make the best decision for you and your family.
Key Benefits of Residential Safety Glass
Peace of mind is one thing you can’t always buy, but when it comes to the safety of your home’s windows, you certainly can. Installing residential safety glass has many benefits, all of which will contribute to more confidence in your home’s safety, longevity, and value.
Prevent Glass Injuries Before They Happen
One of the primary benefits of using safety glass in your home is reducing the risk of injury. Both tempered and laminated glass were designed specifically with this in mind. Whether it’s a shattered glass table, sliding door, or window, glass injuries are common and can be serious. Choosing a safety glass for your home’s glass needs can help cut back on injuries when accidents do occur.
Enhance Your Home’s Window Security
Oftentimes, residential safety glass in windows is significantly harder for intruders to break compared to regular, non-safety glass. The more difficult it is to get in silently and swiftly, the less likely it is that an intruder will continue to attempt entrance into your home. For this reason, safety glass can be a remarkable way to keep your family and your valuables safe from unwelcome intruders.
Turn Your Home into a Haven with Residential Safety Glass
In Houston, summertime is filled with the annoying buzz of lawn mowers and other pesky interruptions. Installing safety glass can help block out that unwanted noise due to the increased insulation from the strengthened glass. Laminated glass is particularly good for dampening sound, as the PVB works to insulate the sound, which is why it is sometimes called acoustic glass. Less noise from outside your door means more peace and relaxation inside your home.
Boost Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Because safety glass provides your home with additional insulation, it can help reduce your energy bills. This is especially true in the summer or winter, when your AC unit must work extra hard to keep your climate comfortable. For even more energy efficiency, we can install a safety glass pane with a Low-E metallic coating to help reflect the UV rays away from your home.
Mandates and Regulations: Is Safety Glass Required?
In Houston, the International Residential Code (IRC) requires that safety glass be used in some residential areas specifically. Our team is equipped with all the mandates to make sure your home is up-to-code and in compliance with all regulations. Here are the main hazardous locations within a home where residential safety glass is required:
- All doors or windows that swing, slide, or have a bi-fold opening. This includes shower doors, sunroom doors, and sometimes even pantry doors.
- Glass within 24 inches of any door or window that is within 60 inches of the ground. Oftentimes, windows that are closer to the ground can be more accident-prone.
- Any glass panels larger than 9 feet across. These windows are beautiful and allow in lots of natural light, with safety glass, you are able to preserve they’re aesthetic appeal for longer since chips and cracks are far less likely than with regular glass.
- Windows near stairways, landings, or any surfaces that get wet often. Residential features like frameless showers, skylights, or balcony windows need to be installed with safety glass due to the increased risk of accidents because of their location.
These codes are created from years of data and experience, so following them closely and precisely can not only prevent injury within your home, but it can also increase your home’s resale value. Like all other home improvements, updating your home to the most modern and innovative features is always a good idea to boost its potential value on the market.
Assessing Your Home – Where Do You Need Safety Glass?
Aside from places where it is required within a home, each home has unique features that could be safer with the installation of residential safety glass. Glass coffee tables, skylights, or even just windows that seem to be particularly popular for wayward bird crashes – safety glass is an investment that you won’t regret, espeically when your family’s safety is on the line.
When it comes to residential safety glass, more is more. Prioritize your peace and choose a more dependable glass for your home.
Create a Smarter, Safer Home with Safety Glass
Residential safety glass can play a significant role in securing the safety of your family, your home, and your valuables. Not only is safety glass a solid investment because of its superior longevity and durability, but it also allows you to sleep better at night, knowing that you’re approaching safety in a proactive, modern way.
At Northwest Glass & Mirror, our priority is for our valued customers to achieve the results they want for their home. Let us help you create a more prepared home with residential safety glass.
Don’t wait until a crisis occurs to start the process. Contact us today for a free quote and to learn how safety glass can improve your home!
