Lexan or safety glass?

[FarmerGene]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of putting the glass in my cab, just came back from the glass shop and to my surprise Lexan is 25% more money. I guess my question is which is better? advantages, disadvantages what would you go with and why.:thumbsup:

 

[grnspot110]

Lexan will scratch!

 

[rekees4300]

Lexan is 250 times stronger than glass.

 

[o2batsea]

The Lexan that has a hardened surface is highly scratch resistant. As good as glass. In thickness like an eighth is a better choice than glass, which is more brittle that thin. As thickness increases, glass becomes more attractive for price but the weight is high.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You will be a lot happier with glass. I am assuming that all the glass is flat. If it were me, I would want laminated glass. There is a reason that factory cabs come with glass and it is not because it is less money.

 

[mcd176]

I built my own cab and went thru the same questions, Trust me and go with glass, yes Lexan is stronger and scratch resistant but glass is your best choice, I am very glad I went with glass.

 

[ray66v]

Glass :thumbsup:

 

[FarmerGene]

You will be a lot happier with glass. I am assuming that all the glass is flat. If it were me, I would want laminated glass. There is a reason that factory cabs come with glass and it is not because it is less money.

Both the windshield and back window are laminated safety glass, this was to be the windows on the doors and cab sides. I decided to order the safety glass for the cab sides, will have to complete the doors to see which will be better for that.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Both the windshield and back window are laminated safety glass, this was to be the windows on the doors and cab sides. I decided to order the safety glass for the cab sides, will have to complete the doors to see which will be better for that.

You might want to go with tempered safety glass for the doors. Tempered glass is a lot tougher and will take more flexing before it breaks. The best would be tempered laminated for the doors, but that would cost a bit more money.

 

[brain55]

Is the cab just to keep the elements out, or is it for protection from debris? If I was in a situation where I was protecting myself from flying debris like weed abatement, or if I was in a high vandalism area, I would go with Lexan. The glass will hold up better for visibility, but will be more likely to shatter with the right impact. You will still be protected, but you could be replacing more glass.

Brian

 

[Cat_Driver]

I used it once and the sun kills it plus the tractor shakes so much it cracked. Yes it does scratch. All around I wasn't happy with it I finally removed it.

 

[FarmerGene]

Is the cab just to keep the elements out, or is it for protection from debris? If I was in a situation where I was protecting myself from flying debris like weed abatement, or if I was in a high vandalism area, I would go with Lexan. The glass will hold up better for visibility, but will be more likely to shatter with the right impact. You will still be protected, but you could be replacing more glass.

Brian

The cab is to keep me nice and toasty on these up and coming cold winter days.

 

[Mace Canute]

Or, if you are really feeling flush..you could always try aluminum oxynitride windows. #10 to #15 per square inch...but probably the toughest transparent material made. Personally, I'd go with glass.

http://www.surmet.com/video/engine/swf/player.swf?url=../../data/video/surmet2.m4v

 

[crazyal]

If it was me I would go with tempered glass all around unless you're worried about flying objects and you wanted protection. The only reason why cars use laminated glass for the windshield is to stop flying objects from hitting the driver. Laminated glass will not fall apart but it's made with two very thin pieces of glass with a layer of plastic between them. That glass can break very easily and is not very forgiving.

Glass shops can cut laminated glass where as they have to order tempered glass.

Lexan, even the mar resistant types will scratch and sooner or later will need replacing. It's also very soft and flexible so it will vibrate more than glass.

 

[FarmerGene]

If it was me I would go with tempered glass all around unless you're worried about flying objects and you wanted protection. The only reason why cars use laminated glass for the windshield is to stop flying objects from hitting the driver. Laminated glass will not fall apart but it's made with two very thin pieces of glass with a layer of plastic between them. That glass can break very easily and is not very forgiving.

Glass shops can cut laminated glass where as they have to order tempered glass.

Lexan, even the mar resistant types will scratch and sooner or later will need replacing. It's also very soft and flexible so it will vibrate more than glass.

Thanks Al, let me see if I'm getting this right, tempered glass is stronger then laminated glass, but isn't tempered glass the glass that breaks up into small pieces?:confused2:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks Al, let me see if I'm getting this right, tempered glass is stronger then laminated glass, but isn't tempered glass the glass that breaks up into small pieces?:confused2:

Thus the reason for tempered laminated glass, very strong and will not fall out if it gets broken. Costs more and may not be readily available in your area. In factory cabs I believe that only the windshield is laminated and all the other glass is tempered, same as in a vehicle.

One of the pluses of std laminated glass is if it does break and the break is only a crack or two, it is easy to live with, as in you can still see through the glass even with it broken and it can be repaired at your convenience. :thumbsup: