Windows are an essential element of design that improves the visual appeal of a building and offers many functional benefits. They allow natural light to enter and illuminate your spaces. They can also provide warmth in cold weather to help you deal with chilly temperatures indoors. Windows are important architectural features, but they require careful maintenance and consideration to preserve their appearance.
Depending on the process used to create the glass, window panes can be fragile or super durable. High-rise structures and commercial buildings typically use glass that is heat-strengthened or fortified to withstand harsh weather conditions. These materials are stronger and sturdier than typical panes of glass, but they are still prone to breakage.
There are several ways your windows can be damaged; for this reason, building owners apply protective covering or window tinting to protect people from broken glass. The following are some major examples that pose serious threats that may cause windows to break:
1. Thermal stress breakage
When exposed to extreme heat, the centre portion of a pane of glass can expand, forcing pressure on the edges of a pane of glass that are inside the framing. Breakage occurs when the amount of tensile stress is greater than the strength of the glass. Imagine someone forcing a stick outward through the middle of a windowpane. The sheet of glass will buckle and shatter under this type of pressure.
2. Debris
Even when you are several floors above street level, there is still a risk of debris colliding with your glass panels. Wind surges can send objects flying at your windows. The items may also fall from a higher floor of a neighbouring structure. Even small objects like tree twigs, pebbles, or chipped concrete hurtled at your windows can be enough to cause your glass to fracture and eventually shatter.
3. Graffiti or vandalism
Opportunistic or vicious individuals who do not respect your property may take the liberty to paint, scrape, or scratch at your windows. Even if they don’t break the glass, they can leave unsightly marks on the surfaces. They may also leave tiny cracks that create weak points in the window pane.
How window tint can help
While window tint cannot add to the tensile strength of your windows nor stop objects from flying at high velocities towards them, they can however provide an additional layer of protection.
In the case of thermal breakage, the right window film can help reflect and absorb light and heat, consequently lowering the risk of thermal stress. A capable commercial window tint supplier can ensure you match the right coating to your glass type, so you do not magnify thermal stress on your glass panes with the wrong film.
Window tint can also keep the glass from shattering into thousands of pieces and falling onto unsuspecting individuals inside your space or onto the street below. Should breakage inevitably happen, the film will hold the various sections of glass together. Your manufacturer can easily replace broken panes, but the shards can cause severe and irreversible harm.
In conclusion
Although many commercial buildings use glass for large windows and entire facades, it is crucial to take necessary precautions to protect your building and its occupants from precarious circumstances. Consider high-quality film coverings to prolong the life of your windows so you can enjoy the aesthetic and operational benefits without worry.
Are you looking for commercial window tint solutions in Sydney? We provide high-quality window film products to fortify your properties and provide expert protection. Visit our website to get a quotation today!
