Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is composed of two or more lites of glass permanently bonded together with one or more interlayers under heat and pressure. This composite construction provides a wide range of performance benefits for architectural, security, and specialty applications. Its most critical characteristic is the interlayer’s ability to retain the glass when broken. This significantly reduces fall-out and penetration through the opening.
Due to these safety benefits, most building codes require laminated glass in glass handrails and overhead or sloped glazing. Additional applications include sound reduction, safety and security glazing, hurricane and cyclical wind resistance, blast, and bullet-resistance.
In 2018, Manko began producing its own laminated glass with the acquisition of a Glaston ProL Flat Glass Lamination Line. This capability allows Manko to manufacture an extensive range of custom laminated glass products using either annealed or heat-treated glass.
Due to these safety benefits, most building codes require laminated glass in glass handrails and overhead or sloped glazing. Additional applications include sound reduction, safety and security glazing, hurricane and cyclical wind resistance, blast, and bullet-resistance.
In 2018, Manko began producing its own laminated glass with the acquisition of a Glaston ProL Flat Glass Lamination Line. This capability allows Manko to manufacture an extensive range of custom laminated glass products using either annealed or heat-treated glass.
Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB)
Per GANA, PVB interlayers are manufactured from polyvinyl butyral resin, plasticizers, and proprietary additives that provide impact resistance and glass retention. PVB laminates are commonly used in exterior applications within insulated glass units or as single lites installed in fully captured framing systems. For interior applications, PVB laminated glass is frequently used for added safety, sound reduction, and decorative design purposes. Depending on conditions and glazing configuration, heat treatment may be required. PVB interlayers are not compatible with silicone sealants, and in many cases will void manufacturer’s warranty.
Ionoplast (SentryGlas®)
According to Kuraray, SentryGlas® is chemically distinct from PVB, offering superior strength, stiffness, clarity, and water resistance. SentryGlas® is five times stronger and up to 100 times stiffer than conventional laminating materials, establishing a higher standard for structural laminated glass. For exterior applications, SentryGlas® may be used in single-lite or insulated units and is compatible with many silicone sealants. Interior applications commonly include glass handrails where interlayer stiffness and durability are critical. Due to its exceptional clarity, SentryGlas® is often paired with low-iron glass to maximize transparency.
Colors & Hues
Thousands of color possibilities from transparent, to translucent, to solid colors are created by stacking different interlayers and creating different intensity levels. These colored interlayers are just as durable as standard PVB interlayers, blocking up to 99% of damaging UV radiation up to 380 nm, reducing solar heat gain, while providing accent colors to your project.
Sound Reducing
Engineered to significantly reduce noise transmission in laminated glass. Through advanced mono‑layer and multi-layer constructions, these interlayers can improve sound insulation by up to 10 dB compared to standard glass.
Additional UV Protection
Designed to assist in minimizing UV exposure beyond traditional interlayers. These interlayers are designed to address UV light up to the 400 nm range, for projects seeking additional UV consideration.
UV Allowable
Developed to allow total UV-permeability for solar radiation through laminated glass with enhanced permeability for short-wave UV-A and UV-B radiation. Ideal for greenhouse, life science, zoos and aquarium projects where full-spectrum light is beneficial.
Manko’s stock annealed laminated glass incorporates a PVB interlayer, typically .030" thick, bonded between two lites of annealed glass.
Stock glass colors include Clear, Bronze, Green, Gray, Translucent White, Shining White, Diamond White, and Black.
.015", .030", .060", and .090"
Bronze (~52% VLT)
Gray (~44% VLT)
Green (~73% VLT)
Translucent White (~70% VLT)
Shining White (~21% VLT)
Diamond White (0% VLT)
Brilliant Black (0% VLT)
Stock Clear SentryGlas® Thicknesses
.060", .090", .120", .150", and .180"
Additional custom (non-stock) PVB colors are available upon request.
While commercial clear float glass is often described as colorless, it naturally exhibits a slight green or blue-green tint. For applications requiring maximum color neutrality, low-iron glass should be considered. Many laminated interlayers block ultraviolet light and may also slightly reduce visible light transmission, which can result in a subtle yellow appearance, particularly in thicker laminates or multi-ply constructions. Ultraclear interlayers are available to help reduce this yellowness for projects seeking a more neutral aesthetic.
Optical distortion, both reflected and transmitted, may result from heat treatment, glass thickness variability, framing system stresses, and changes in exterior wind or interior building pressures. Laminated glass assemblies often incorporate multiple plies of heat-treated glass to meet performance requirements. Inherent characteristics of heat-treated glass include bow, roll wave, and picture-frame distortion. While fabricators take steps to minimize these effects, they cannot be fully eliminated. Distortion is further accentuated when reflective coatings or tinted substrates are used, Manko strongly recommends evaluating a full-size mock-up under actual project conditions. It is also recommended to avoid two lites of heat-treated lami in a single IGU as distortion will be apparent.
Under certain lighting or viewing conditions, laminated glass may exhibit iridescent patterns or dark shadowing, commonly referred to as strain patterns or anisotropy. These patterns are caused by stresses introduced during the heat-treatment process and are inherent to heat-treated glass. While typically not visible, strain patterns may become more pronounced at extreme viewing angles or under polarized light. Thicker laminated assemblies may increase the visibility of these patterns. This phenomenon is not indicative of discoloration or material inconsistency.
Due to the technical complexity of laminated glazing systems, early collaboration between design professionals, fabricators, and suppliers is essential. Understanding the construction and inherent characteristics of laminated glass is critical to achieving optimal performance in safety, security, hazard resistance, and acoustic applications. As laminate thickness and ply count increases, the potential for optical distortion also increases. Full-size mock-ups are strongly recommended to evaluate appearance under project-specific lighting, environmental, and viewing conditions, particularly in applications involving visual movement behind the glass.
