In today's world where extreme weather events are increasingly frequent, modern glass technology has evolved far beyond merely “shielding against wind and rain.” It has become a critical line of defense for building safety, energy efficiency, and comfort. Different types of glass play distinctly different yet vital roles during extreme weather conditions.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how various glass types respond to different extreme weather conditions:
I. Resisting Storms and Heavy Rain (Typhoons, Hurricanes)
The primary threats in such weather are intense wind pressure and impacts from flying debris.
Tempered Glass & Laminated Glass:
Function: Impact resistance, penetration prevention. Single-pane tempered glass shatters into small particles, reducing injury risk but failing to prevent flying debris or wind/rain intrusion.
Superior Choice—Laminated Glass: The preferred typhoon-resistant option. It consists of two or more glass layers bonded with tough PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayers. Even if shattered, fragments remain firmly bonded to the interlayer, preventing gaps. This effectively withstands wind pressure and debris impacts, maintaining window integrity to block wind and rain ingress, safeguarding occupants and property.
Insulated Glass:
Function: While primarily designed for thermal insulation, its multi-layer structure also provides superior air and water tightness, effectively preventing rainwater infiltration during storms.
II. Countering Extreme Heat and Glare (Heatwave)
The primary threats in such weather are high temperatures and blinding glare.
Low-E Glass (Low-Emission Glass):
Function: Reflects thermal energy for efficient heat insulation. Low-E glass features a nearly invisible metallic coating that acts like a mirror, reflecting infrared rays (heat) from sunlight while allowing visible light to pass through.
Effect: During summer, it significantly blocks outdoor heat from entering indoor spaces, reducing air conditioning cooling loads, saving energy consumption, and maintaining cool, comfortable interiors.
Heat-Absorbing Glass:
Function: Absorbs solar heat energy by incorporating special tinting agents (e.g., gray, blue, green). However, it generates its own heat, and some of this heat is still radiated back into the interior.
Smart Glass (Electrochromic/Thermochromic Glass):
Function: Dynamically adjusts solar shading coefficient. When energized or exposed to temperature changes, the glass switches between transparent and opaque (or translucent) states. This intelligently controls sunlight and heat entering the room—transparent when visibility is needed, fogged when shading is required.
III. Resisting Extreme Cold and Blizzards
The primary threats in such weather are indoor heat loss and condensation.
Insulated Glass & Low-E Insulated Glass:
Function: Thermal insulation and condensation prevention. The dry air or inert gas (e.g., argon) within insulated glass acts as an excellent thermal insulator, significantly reducing heat conduction.
Upgraded Version—Low-E Insulated Glass: In winter, indoor heat (far-infrared radiation) attempts to escape through the glass. The Low-E coating reflects this heat back indoors, acting like a “thermal blanket” for the glass. This substantially reduces heating energy consumption while maintaining a higher temperature on the glass's inner surface, preventing condensation.
IV. Hail Resistance
Laminated Glass:
Function: Impact resistance. This is the most effective glass for hail protection. Even if hail cracks the outer pane, the PVB interlayer absorbs the impact energy and firmly holds the glass fragments together, maintaining structural integrity without creating holes, ensuring safety.
V. Blocking Wildfire Radiant Heat
Fire-Rated Glass:
Function: Barriers against flames and radiant heat. This specialized glass features unique chemical compositions and multi-layered structures that maintain integrity for extended periods during fires. It effectively blocks flames, smoke, and lethal radiant heat from passing through, buying critical time for evacuation and firefighting operations.
Recommendations for You
When selecting glass, do not focus solely on a single property. Modern buildings typically utilize multifunctional glass products, such as:
Laminated Insulated Low-E Glass: Combines three key functions—safety (laminated), thermal insulation (Low-E), and heat retention (insulated)—making it an “all-rounder” for withstanding various extreme weather conditions.
In typhoon-prone regions, prioritize laminated glass for safety, followed by thermal insulation or heat retention requirements.
In areas with significant temperature fluctuations, Low-E insulated glass offers the optimal balance between winter warmth retention and summer heat insulation.
Finally, a crucial point: Glass performance must be paired with high-quality window frame profiles and professional installation techniques. Even the finest glass cannot deliver its intended benefits if the window frame is poorly sealed or structurally unstable.
Therefore, when preparing for extreme weather, treat glass, window frames, and installation as an integrated system for comprehensive consideration.