Florida Commercial Glazing Spec
PVB vs SGP interlayer — when to specify each on Florida commercial glazing
PVB (polyvinyl butyral) at 0.090 inch is the Florida commercial default for laminated impact glass and meets FBC 1626 for typical storefront and curtain wall scopes. SGP (SentryGlas Plus) is the structural-grade upgrade for balcony rails, all-glass entrances, hurricane shutter assemblies, and point-supported glass. SGP is roughly 100x stiffer than PVB.
When do I need SGP instead of PVB?
Structural applications. Balcony glass rails (where the glass acts as guardrail). All-glass entrance doors with structural patch fittings. Point-supported glass. Hurricane shutter assemblies. Any application where the interlayer's post-impact strength matters.
How much more does SGP cost than PVB?
25-35% premium on the glass line item, depending on glass thickness and overall scope size. On a typical commercial storefront where PVB at 0.090 inch meets code, SGP is rarely the right value.
Does ACG install both?
Yes. ACG installs both PVB-laminated and SGP-laminated assemblies daily. SGP specifically on balcony rail and all-glass entrance scopes.