When specifying laminated glass, most people focus on the glass thickness, coating, or tint. However, the interlayer plays an equally important role in determining the glass's safety, strength, durability, and long-term performance. The three most commonly used interlayers are PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral), EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), and SGP (SentryGlas® Plus). Although all three hold broken glass fragments together after impact, they are designed for very different applications.
PVB is the industry standard for architectural laminated glass and is widely used in curtain walls, windows, doors, skylights, and balustrades. It offers excellent impact resistance, outstanding sound insulation, and blocks up to 99% of UV radiation, making it a cost-effective solution for most residential and commercial buildings. However, PVB has moderate structural stiffness and requires well-sealed edges to prevent moisture from affecting long-term performance. In humid or coastal environments, where salt-laden air and high moisture levels are common, PVB must be carefully edge-sealed and properly installed to avoid potential delamination over time.
EVA is best known for its superior adhesion to decorative materials. It is commonly used to laminate fabric, metal mesh, stone veneer, printed films, and other decorative inserts, making it a popular choice for interior design, furniture, and artistic glass. Compared with standard PVB, EVA also offers better moisture resistance, making it more suitable for humid climates, tropical regions, bathrooms, and coastal areas with high humidity. Its improved resistance to water vapor makes it a preferred option when long-term edge stability in damp environments is a concern. However, its structural performance is similar to PVB and it is generally not recommended for demanding structural glazing applications.
SGP, on the other hand, is a high-performance ionoplast interlayer developed for structural glazing. It is approximately five times stronger and up to 100 times stiffer than standard PVB, allowing laminated glass to carry higher loads with significantly less deflection. Even after breakage, SGP laminated glass maintains much of its structural integrity, making it the preferred choice for glass bridges, glass floors, frameless balustrades, oversized curtain walls, hurricane-resistant glazing, and other high-performance architectural projects. In extreme weather conditions such as typhoons, hurricanes, or high-wind coastal zones, SGP is often the best choice due to its superior strength and post-breakage safety performance. The trade-off is a considerably higher cost compared with PVB or EVA.
So, which interlayer should you choose? If your project requires a balance between safety, acoustics, UV protection, and cost, PVB remains the best all-around solution. If the focus is on decorative laminated glass or encapsulating special materials, especially in humid or coastal environments, EVA is the better option. For projects involving large glass panels, structural support, high wind loads, or extreme weather exposure such as storm-prone or seaside regions, SGP delivers the highest level of performance.
The strongest interlayer is not always the right one. The best choice is the one that matches your climate conditions, project requirements, and long-term performance expectations while remaining cost-effective.
Email: Tracy@migoglass.com
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