Glass FAQs

1 Can you advise on the right sort of glass to use for a balcony / barrier / balustrade?

In these instances calculations are required to determine the correct specification for the application concerned. Please contact your local glazier for advice. They will need to know the style of barrier you are designing, the glass fixing method and the loads from BS 6399.

Given the glass size they will be able to suggest a suitable thickness and glass type. Further information on technical requirements for barriers can be found in BS 6180.

2 Can you advise on where impact safety glass should be used in my home?

It should be used in low level glazing, glazing in and around doors, overhead and in large areas of glazing to prevent injury following accidental glass breakage.

For more information check out the Specifier FAQs section.

3 Can you tell me about the benefits of toughened glass versus laminated glass?

Toughened glass is upto five times as strong as ordinary glass which means that it has to be hit much harder in order to break, also when it does break it is into lots of small pieces which are much less dangerous. Laminated glass has the same strength as ordinary glass but it consists of two pieces of glass with a sandwich of plastic interlayer.

If the glass does get broken this interlayer holds the whole piece in place so there is no hole left in the window for an intruder to get in through for example or large free shards.

4 Can you tell me about the performance of fire-resistant glass?

Fire resistance is classified in terms of how well it stops flames and hot gases (Integrity only) or how well it stops flames, hot gases and the heat of the fire (Insulation and Integrity) in 30 minute steps ie. 30, 60, 90 minutes and so on. The main reasons for use of fire-resistant glass is to enable occupants to escape from a building or to prevent a fire spreading to an adjacent building.

More details can be found on our Fire Protection product pages.

5 How can I tell whether I have got safety glass in my home?

You need to look for the small stamp in the corner of the glass. This will give details of the standard the glass is designed to meet, the level it achieved and the supplier. If you cannot see the stamp or want to follow up to check it you should refer to your installer.

For more information please see our Specifier FAQs or contact the Glass and Glazing Federation

6 I've heard of Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass, can you tell me more about it?

We introduced Pilkington Activ™, our revolutionary coating which goes on the external surface of glazing more than 10 years ago.

It has a dual action; when exposed to daylight the coating breaks down any organic dirt deposits such as bird droppings and tree sap and then when it rains the rain water washes the loosened dirt away leaving the windows with reduced streaking.

It is available from window companies nationwide for all external glass areas of your home but is especially beneficial in hard to reach areas such as conservatory roofs, rooflights, inaccessible windows or just to save time and keep the large expanses of glass we love in our homes looking clean.

For more information click here.

7 What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass has the same strength as ordinary glass but it consists of two pieces of glass containing a sandwich of plastic interlayer. If the glass does get broken this interlayer holds the whole piece in place so there is no hole left in the window for an intruder to get in through for example or large free shards that can cut.

8 What is the best way to cut out glare?

Glare is caused by a level of light that is coming through the window that is much brighter than the average light level in the room. The effect of glare can be reduced by changing the relative light levels. For most locations this means providing shading such as blinds or curtains. Another method is to reduce the light transmission through the window by using either body tinted glass such as Pilkington Optifloat™ Tint or reflective coated glass like Pilkington Suncool™ or Pilkington Eclipse Advantage™. External shading devices such as a canopy, awning or bris soleil are also an option.

9 What types of patterned glass are available?

We offer two ranges of patterned glass:

Pilkington Texture Glass has 18 different imprinted patterns and
Pilkington Oriel Collection which is a premium range of etched patterns.

Both products are available through window companies and glass merchants.