window material types

Glass

Advantages – scratch resistance, resistance to solvents/chemicals, non-flammable.

Usual construction method – fully laminated, sometimes edge bonded.

Types – low coefficient of expansion borosilicate glass, toughened.

Surface finishes – etched anti reflective, magnesium fluoride or multilayer antireflective.

Polycarbonate

Advantages – impact resistance/toughness, low density, low or non-flammable.

Usual construction method – fully laminated, edge bonded.

Types – UL94-V0 flammability or low smoke emission grades, range of tints.

Surface finishes – scratch/mar, solvent and chemical resistant hard surface coating, this coating can be applied as.

Acrylic

Advantages – clarity, low density.

Usual construction method – fully laminated, cast or edge bonded.

Types – wide range of tints.

Surface finishes – scratch/mar resistant hard surface coating, antireflective coating.

Cast polyester (CR39)

Advantages – clarity, low density, scratch resistance, high temperature stability, resistance to solvents/chemicals.

Usual construction method – cast or cast/laminated assembly.

Types – wide range of tints.

Surface finishes – ‘cast in’ anti-reflective finish.

Special purpose polarising or contrast enhancement filters may be incorporated within windows. In particular cast windows lend themselves to this as the filter may be cast in at the time of manufacture.

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