What is laminated glass? Laminated glass is two (or three) pieces of glass with a plastic film sandwiched between them. Something like double-sided tape is between them. When something hits the glass it doesn't break into a million pieces like tempered glass and doesn't have shards of glass falling like annealed (that means "regular") glass.

What is the purpose of laminated glass? (We call it "lammi") It was first designed for safety reasons before tempered was put into place. Your car windshield is laminated glass. The car windows are probably tempered. Sometimes you see little pieces of glass in a parking lot after someone has broken into a car. Can you imagine if you were driving 70 mph, a rock hits your windshield and breaks into a million pieces like tempered glass? Thousands of pieces of glass would be flying in your face. Even worse, imagine it being annealed glass. Laminated glass cracks but holds together.

Why should I put it in my home? Noise control and security. The properties for sound abatement are greater when using laminated glass. This is due to the thickness of the glass causing sound frequency to break up. We all know security is a big issue. Let's say you have great deadbolts on your door. Normally, an intruder could break the glass on a door and and reach in and unlock the door. Even if you have double cylinder locks he can break a large window after he puts a few straps of tape on it to hold it together. I know my computer will fit through any of my windows. Now picture laminated glass in the door or window. He would have to keep smashing it to the point of breaking it out of the door or window frame. That sounds like a lot of noisy work for a lazy thief. After a few whacks at this glass he would no take off.

Why doesn't everyone use this wonder glass? Cost and production. The up-charge for lammi is pretty hefty. It can add a few grand to the cost of the order. Some of the large companies still send out for their lammi production. That can add to the cost.

I still like lammi, (I like saying "lammi") what else is wrong with it? Weight. Remember, laminated glass is two sheets of glass stuck together. When you have double-pane glass that's like having four sheets of glass stuck together. That is too heavy for some large operating windows such as large casement windows or sliding windows. Check with your architect and window manufacturer.

Any other thoughts on this? Most alarms tell you or your neighbors after someone has broken into the home. I think I would like to know if they were trying to break in as opposed to an alarm announcing their arrival. If you want to cut costs you could do the lower level and the upper levels that have balconies. Don't forget the noise benefits. It cuts down on the sound of traffic, airplanes overhead or, if you are so unfortunate that you have to live on the beach, it stills the annoying sound of waves crashing under your window.