Wire mesh glass may not be worth retaining (Speculation)

THIS AFTERNOON, I was describing our windows to someone, which induced me to look up wire mesh glass, which I knew very little about. Mishkon now has such glass installed not only as an exterior layer for many of its stained-glass windows, but also as the glazing for windows on the west side of the school building. 

For various reasons, we plan to replace all of those panels within the next few years. The question is: should we replace them with the same type of glass—or something else?

Below the jump, I share the surprising answer that arose from my initial research.…

To my surprise, I learned that our wire mesh glass may no longer be the best option for our needs. I had assumed that it was offering enhanced protection from vandalism or attack—but apparently not. Here is a telling extract from Wikipedia (emphasis added):

Wired glass, as it is typically described, does not perform the function most individuals associate with it. The presence of the wire mesh appears to be a strengthening component.… [Yet] wired glass is actually weaker than unwired glass due to the incursions of the wire into the structure of the glass. Wired glass often may cause heightened injury in comparison to unwired glass, as the wire amplifies the irregularity of any fractures. This has led to a decline in its use institutionally, particularly in schools.^[1]

In recent years, new materials have become available that offer both fire-ratings and safety ratings so the continued use of wired glass is being debated worldwide. The US International Building Code effectively banned wired glass in 2006.^[2]

In addition, wire mesh glass is rather unaesthetic—which matters when looking at our stained-glass windows from inside the building. Its humdrum pattern interferes with the variegated art glass patterns. As David Judson, the head of America’s oldest family-run stained-glass studio, wrote upon assessing our windows in 2003, “wire glass…creates a poor visual experience with the pleasing simple design of the windows.”

So upon reflection (no pun intended), it might be best for us to ask an architect and/or glazing vendors to tell us what other type of glazing—presumably something made with newer materials—would be recommended for our situation. 

SOURCE: “Safety Glass,” Wikipedia (accessed 4/9/26), citing:

1. Fatima, Sahar (August 25, 2014). "Industry experts question the safety of wired glass used in schools". The Globe and Mail.
2.  Lane, Gordon. "Wired Safety Glass Deemed a Serious Hazard". Sourcable. Strata News. Retrieved 1 December 2014.