My door and rear window is laminate glass. I was driving today and a crack shoots across the passenger door glass for no apparent reason. I will of course check for mechanical interference in the door when I replace it, but I am wondering if laminate is of lesser quality. Perhaps a flaw in the edge that was patiently waiting for me to drive my truck? Will it be noticeable if I start switching over to tempered since I have a laminate wing window next to it? Its the green tint BTW.

 

Just think of it this way.. If it was Tempered it would have shatted instend of just a crack across it.. The Laminated glass is cheaper to replace becouse most good glass shops can make it for you with there inhouse stock ( My 1960 F-100 have al the flat glass broken when I git it.. It cost me $125 to have it all cut and instal myself ) Temper is also thinner and maynot fit your track the right way.. tempered glass is safer, but cost more and you may need to mod you track runs to fit it proper.Most likly the rubber seating on your tracks has worn out and its just time to replace that and the window now.. Id stay with the Laminated glass.. much cheaper to replace..

 

Fenders,
My guess is that you had a defect in the edge that took off after being jarred from driving. All the flat glass I have ever had cut has been laminate. Thats pretty much the standard. The tempered vs non-tempered thing is really quite a debate. About all you can do is go over all the basics(binding, obstructions, etc.) Those new door kits cam be really tight. I've been quietly watching your build from a distance. I like those flames. BTW, I'm the guy from SE Iowa that you have dealt with on early ford 9" stuff.
Regards, Mark

 

Windshield and door glass from the factories is laminated. Curved rear windows are tempered.
That is why you can cut the front and side glass during a top chop but you often cant cut the rears. Think chopped Mercs and the like where they have to lay the rear glass down or substitute something from another vehicle.

Theoretically you can cut tempered but it is not something for the home or most body shops. It can be done with water jet and even micro blasting. It took a VERY good glass guy to do my 53 Vicky and that rear light is not one found in bone yards these days!

Pre 56 trucks are laminate all around; Id guess the 56 big rear is tempered.

 

My 1960 F-100 has flat Laminated glass in it....

 

Mark

It's been years. How you been? The second 9" I bought from you never made it into the brother in laws truck. (Kevin) Fatfendered ford has it now. I thought the tempered glass was better, and stock too. I was just sure of it in fact. Guess that's why I ask questions here. I know you guys have been playing with this old iron decades longer than I have.

You better enjoy the flames cause Sweetie don't like them one bit, and mentions it real often. I'm having trouble repairing some of the nearby red area so we may be all red again sooner than I'd like. She likes the chameleon graphics and such, but that's just way out of my talent league. Plus I don't like that stuff on an old ride anyway.

 

I've been great, working here in Mason since last Aug. Still have the farm down in Lee County; it's kind of my weekend crash spot. I know what you are saying about flames. Graphics are risky. Simple scallops, pinstripes, or even outlined flames are much more subtle. I sure hate to see a guy go to all that work and expense just to sand it off but I've done it myself. When it comes to your ride, it's either right or it's not.

 

Laminated is actually more money, I just replaced a Glass door that was laminated and prices were 140.00 for laminated and 68 for tempered. the tempered is stronger but will not crack...it blows up into cubes. I am replacing all my door glass with a tempered and tinted glass. Not sure what price will be as my step father works with glass and getting it from him. He has been in the glass industry for 40 years and suggested the tempered as it is stronger...by up to 6X

Glack

 

Dude.. U got riped off.. I just did all my flat glass.. thats Both Vents, Door and rear window for $125 OTD..

 

Auto Glass Article is a good place to learn about the difference between laminated and tempered glass. It's a bit preachy and is obviously written with a bias toward laminated glass, but it does get the facts and history correct. You have to ignore the lawyer stuff at the end as well.

The advantages of tempered glass are that it resists cracking somewhat better (sometimes touted as higher strength) and it usually costs less. Once tempered glass does break, though, it comes apart in mostly small pieces that tend to fly around in a crash.

Laminated glass is not as good at resisting cracks, and the glass itself will break into small pieces, but the pieces stay in place due to the interior plastic membrane in the laminate. The primary advantage of laminated glass is that it keeps you inside the vehicle during a crash. Getting ejected, completely or partially, is the #1 reason for injury in accidents (same argument goes for using seat belts). The second advantage that laminated glass has is that it's a LOT harder to get through if someone is trying to break into your vehicle.

The history is pretty interesting. As Carl mentioned, up until the 50's, all auto glass was laminated. Then there was a switch to only laminated windshields with other glass tempered. Now it appears that there is a switch back to all laminated glass due to the enhanced safety - at least in the high-end cars including Audi and Mercedes. The article at the link above lists numerous other vehicles throughout the years that have had laminated glass in side and/or rear windows.

 

George, your replies are always so informative,non abusive/critical and include the links for all to educate themselves. Thanks for being an icon of FTE. It has been said that laminate is for looking thru, while tempered is for lookin at. Sorta true. Also, little cubes don't cut you up in collision, rescue can break in to save you if a door won't open. In fires, it won't melt on you,it just pops out of the way. A plus per the DOT and NHTSA.

Of Note: Nobody is getting ripped off for choosing tempered over laminate if they know what they are getting. It is a different animal and not for every pocketbook. That's all. Everyone has their game, some just cost more, but we always get what we pay for. I use both in my builds. My .02

 

Dude you are right, I was wrong in saying that.. I have seen it happen so many times with prices.. It just P#$$#$ me off big time

 

I didnt say door glass, I said Glass Door as in a 3 foot by 6 foot piece of glass and that was cut and installed prices. ok installation was free but still a bargain.

Glack

 

I was just looking in the Mid-Fifty catalog. They offer an extended bracket for use with laminate, and basically have a sarcastic statement that says.

"And you're laminate WILL break if you use it with a short a stock bracket"

That wasn't comforting, but I'm going to give the laminate one more shot anyway because it is half price and handy. I've seen Mid-Fifty tempered glass and that is mostly why I said tempered was better. Glad we did this thread though, because I also thought tempered was safer. I don't believe that anymore.

 

Dewayne, you did not describe where the crack occurred. Did it run from the side to the top, etc.? Or did it originate down at the edge of the actuator and go north? My newly installed glass cracked once from the edge of the actuator. I chalked it up to not having enought cush between the glass and the metal. Jag