The windshield and car windows are the only things standing between you and a number of hazards. It’s important to select the best glass to stay safe. The most popular options are laminated and tempered. Here, the window replacement professionals at Genesee Glass & Mirror in Rochester, NY, share a few details about each one to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Laminated vs. Tempered Window Replacement

Laminated

A laminated glass windshield is made of two stacked sheets of glass. Between them is a layer of polyvinyl butryal—a type of plastic. The two most important aspects of auto glass is how strong it is and how it breaks if something hits it. Laminated glass is engineered to stay in a single piece, which keeps any shards from hitting the driver or passengers. It’s most distinguished by the spider web-type cracking. Because of this, it’s known as “safety” or “security” glass. However, laminated glass can’t absorb as much stress as tempered glass. It does have UV-blocking and sound reduction qualities, though, which is an amenity for many drivers who like a quiet interior.

Tempered

Tempered glass is commonly used on the other windows of the car, but it can be used as a front windshield. It’s created by a repeated heating and cooling process in a furnace, which makes it much stronger than laminated glass. A key difference is how it breaks. Tempered glass is less likely to break, but when it does, it shatters into shards that are often small and likely won’t cause significant harm. In many cases, it’s also a cheaper window replacement option than laminated glass.

If you need a window replacement, turn to the professionals at Genesee Glass & Mirror. They have offered a wide scope of services including commercial door and mirror replacement for 40 years. Their experienced staff will work with you to select the best glass option. Call (585) 621-3580 or visit their website to learn more about their services.