Architectural Laminated Glass: EVA vs PVB vs SGP

Introduction

Laminated glass is a big deal in today’s buildings. It keeps spaces safe and quiet. It also blocks harmful UV rays. Plus, it looks awesome! You can spot it in building fronts, skylights, and secure places. This glass is made by gluing several glass layers with a strong interlayer. Picking the right interlayer—EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral), or SGP (SentryGlas®)—changes how the glass works. This article breaks down what makes these materials different. It helps architects and builders choose the best EVA, PVB, or SGP laminated glass for their projects.

Understanding Laminated Glass

Definition and Why It Matters in Buildings

Laminated glass is a tough material. It’s made of two or more glass sheets stuck together with a sturdy interlayer. Each interlayer has its own special traits. This glass is great for keeping people safe, cutting down noise, and stopping UV rays. Its strength, quietness, and UV-blocking power make it stand out.

In today’s buildings, laminated glass is both useful and pretty. You’ll see it in tall building exteriors, skylights, railings, and safe areas like glass walkways or pool fences. It’s a top pick for both function and style.

How Interlayers Make Glass Better

The interlayer isn’t just glue. It makes the glass stronger and quieter. It also helps block UV rays. Choosing the right interlayer is super important. It decides how well the glass handles stress, heat changes, and sunlight.

EVA vs PVB vs SGP: Key Differences

Material Composition

EVA is a clear, bendy material. It sticks to glass well. It’s popular in building projects because it stays strong in damp spots. EVA keeps its clear look and color nicely. So, it’s perfect for designs where beauty matters.

PVB is a common choice for laminated glass. It holds tight, lowers noise, and blocks UV rays. You’ll find it in indoor spots like windows, room dividers, and doors. Clear visuals are key here. But PVB can fade in sunlight compared to EVA and SGP.

SGP is a super-tough ionoplast interlayer. It’s the strongest and stiffest option. It’s great for high-impact places like glass walkways or pool fences. SGP laminated glass handles moisture and UV rays better than the others.

Optical Clarity and Visual Charm

Transparency and Color Staying Power

• EVA: Really clear, letting 88-90% of light through. It has a soft, slightly cloudy look. It’s flexible for making frosted, colored, or layered designs. This gives cool visual effects and awesome decorative appeal.
• PVB: Lets 89-91% of light pass through. It matches the natural glass color well and stays steady. It’s great for windows and doors, giving a natural, comfy look. It’s also easy on the wallet.
• SGP: Super clear with 91–92% light passing through. It gives a clean, crystal-clear look. Its awesome color stability and UV resistance stop yellowing or wear, even after lots of sunlight.

Great for Decorative Uses

• EVA: Very stable and can hold almost anything, like fabric, metal mesh, paper, petals, plastic sheets, silk, or decorative films. It offers strong artistic vibes. It’s perfect for artsy glass, indoor decorative walls, and feature panels.
• PVB: Gets weak in humid places and can’t hold many materials. It’s limited to some colored or frosted options. It focuses on safety and clarity, not decorative variety.
• SGP: Mostly used for structural lamination, not for decorative stuff. It’s usually colorless, transparent, or light green, with little decorative charm.

Mechanical Performance

Environmental Resistance

Moisture and UV Protection

• Moisture Resistance: EVA and SGP are awesome at resisting moisture. They don’t soak up water. PVB struggles with moisture, though. Poor sealing can cause bubbles or peeling. This makes it bad for wet places.
• UV Blocking: All three—EVA, PVB, and SGP—block over 99% of UV rays. They offer strong protection.

Applications in Architecture

EVA Laminated Glass

Best Uses: Perfect for indoor partitions, entryways, artsy decorative glass, bathroom glass, and similar spots.

• Super Compatibility: Can include stuff like fabric, metal wire, or colored paper. This gives strong decorative appeal.
• Good Moisture Resistance: Stops mold and peeling, even in wet places like bathrooms.
• Easy to Work With: Doesn’t need an autoclave. Great for making unique, odd-shaped artsy glass.

PVB Laminated Glass

Best Uses: Great for standard windows, car windshields, and places needing safety and clarity.

• High Safety: When broken, glass sticks to the film. This lowers the risk of flying shards. It’s a go-to for car glass.
• Clear Visuals: Offers great clarity and steady light. Perfect for home or business windows.
• Wallet-Friendly: Widely used with proven methods, making it affordable.

SGP Laminated Glass

Best Uses: Ideal for skylights, balcony railings, infinity pool barriers, high-altitude glass bridges, and other high-safety spots.

• Super Strong: SGP is a structural film with impact resistance five times that of PVB. Glass stays together even when broken.
• Handles Heat and Aging: Stays firm and doesn’t yellow or age under long sunlight or heat.
• Good Moisture Resistance: Stays steady in wet places, resisting bubbles or peeling.

Glasvue’s Laminated Glass Production Process

At Glasvue, we use top-notch methods to make strong laminated glass. Our process follows strict building rules. Here’s how we do it:

Glass Loading

We carefully pick and load glass into our production line. This makes sure we use the best glass for the job.

Cleaning

Next, we clean the glass well. This gets rid of dirt and dust. It makes the surface ready for a strong bond.

Drying

We dry the glass fully. This removes all moisture before adding the interlayer. It helps make a solid bond.

Laminating

We sandwich the glass with EVA, PVB, or SGP. High-tech tools make the bond super strong.

Pre-Pressing

The glass goes through a roll press. This evens out the stickiness and removes air bubbles. It gives a smooth finish.

High-Pressure Autoclaving

We heat and press the glass in an autoclave. This bonds the layers forever. It makes the glass really tough.

Unloading and Final Processing

After autoclaving, we take out the glass. It gets final checks and processing. Then, it’s ready for building projects.

Conclusion

At Glasvue, we provide laminated glass for all kinds of building needs. Whether you need safety, quietness, UV protection, or a cool look, our EVA, PVB, and SGP laminated glass options are great. Our high-tech process makes sure every piece is strong and trustworthy. Choose Glasvue for top-quality EVA, PVB, or SGP laminated glass that fits your project.

FAQ

Q1: What’s the difference between EVA, PVB, and SGP laminated glass?

A: EVA is awesome for decorative glass, like adding fabric or art. It’s great for creative designs. PVB is safe and cheap, perfect for windows, doors, and car glass. SGP is super strong with awesome impact resistance. It’s best for high-safety spots like curtain walls and skylights.

Q2: How does laminated glass make buildings safer?

1. Stops Flying Shards
   The interlayer, like PVB or SGP, holds glass pieces together if it breaks. This stops sharp splinters and lowers injury risks.
2. Strong Against Hits
   Laminated glass stays together under heavy hits.It can maintain structural integrity within a certain period of time, fighting off wind or break-in attempts.
3. Better Burglary Protection
   It’s harder to break or cut than regular glass. This slows down intruders and boosts safety.
4. Handles Quakes and Wind
   During earthquakes or strong winds, Laminated glass is less likely to come off than ordinary glass. This keeps people safe inside.
5. Fire and Blast Protection (Optional)
   Some laminated glass uses special films, like fire-resistant PVB. This adds flame and blast resistance for high-safety needs.

Q3: Can laminated glass be used indoors and outdoors?

A: Yes, it’s super flexible. EVA is great for indoor artsy glass. PVB works well for indoor windows, doors, and dividers. SGP is perfect for tough outdoor uses, like pool fences and glass walkways.