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Being that this thread is so long and old, I'll take the risk of saying that laminated glass makes a difference in noise reduction. But you can't break the glass out with an emergency tool in case of emergency. That leaves the sun roof and the rear door glass, it you can get to them while your car is sinking in a canal or lake. It is a safety issue and a personal preference.
It's slightly thicker, two thinner panes with plastic material in between. yes you can swap your single pane for dual pane.
Since the dual pane laminated front door window glass (only) is thicker than the single pane front door window glass I would have thought the front doors would have a different window seal to accommodate the extra window pane thickness so it seals properly.
My LS460 had laminated front door glass on both sides. It was a very quiet and refined ride due in part to the glass. Things like laminated glass, acoustic floor and door insulation, wider sidewalls and brand/type of tire are all little things that add up to a much quieter car. If my 2016 ES 350 had 17" wheels instead of 18", it would be a smoother and quieter ride. I'll make that change when my current tires are worn out as well as choosing a tire model known for a quiet ride. It's an easy and relatively affordable upgrade. One could pull seating and carpets and add quality acoustic insulation as well as remove door panels to do the same there. I believe it would transform the already nice ride into a noticeably quieter ride. But that's more than I personally want to spend money on. I'm guessing that upgrading the door glass would be a difficult and expensive undertaking id even possible. Maybe the GS is more easily upgradeable as some have that option. I'd rather have another LS but sadly my garage is too small and San Diego parking spaces are very narrow compared to other cities.Sorry for the ramble, I really miss my LS.
I think much of the confusion is that the picture above is not an accurate representation of the double glass. The double glass does not have a "M" shaped top... the shape of the double glass looks just like the single pane glass... but it has a "de-mark" running along the top edge that is very subtle. The first time I looked I missed it... And couldn't figure how my full load 450H (Premium/Luxury/Winter packaged car) missed the double windows... it did not... Double windows on my 2016 450h.... (one of 70 registered that year)
I think much of the confusion is that the picture above is not an accurate representation of the double glass. The double glass does not have a "M" shaped top... the shape of the double glass looks just like the single pane glass... but it has a "de-mark" running along the top edge that is very subtle. The first time I looked I missed it... And couldn't figure how my full load 450H (Premium/Luxury/Winter packaged car) missed the double windows... it did not... Double windows on my 2016 450h.... (one of 70 registered that year)
This is how the top of my acoustic glass looks like, clearly two panes of glass and material in between..
If the top of your glass looks like this you have acoustic windows, otherwise you don't. It came standard on my 2013 450h, but it wouldn't surprise me if Lexus stopped using it in the later years to save money.
My LS460 had laminated front door glass on both sides. It was a very quiet and refined ride due in part to the glass. Things like laminated glass, acoustic floor and door insulation, wider sidewalls and brand/type of tire are all little things that add up to a much quieter car. If my 2016 ES 350 had 17" wheels instead of 18", it would be a smoother and quieter ride. I'll make that change when my current tires are worn out as well as choosing a tire model known for a quiet ride. It's an easy and relatively affordable upgrade. One could pull seating and carpets and add quality acoustic insulation as well as remove door panels to do the same there. I believe it would transform the already nice ride into a noticeably quieter ride. But that's more than I personally want to spend money on. I'm guessing that upgrading the door glass would be a difficult and expensive undertaking id even possible. Maybe the GS is more easily upgradeable as some have that option. I'd rather have another LS but sadly my garage is too small and San Diego parking spaces are very narrow compared to other cities.Sorry for the ramble, I really miss my LS.
If you can take off a door panel you can remove the glass, it's not that hard. Just check eBay or car-parts.com to search all the junkyards. It can be a relatively affordable upgrade if you do the work yourself.
This is how the top of my acoustic glass looks like, clearly two panes of glass and material in between..
If the top of your glass looks like this you have acoustic windows, otherwise you don't. It came standard on my 2013 450h, but it wouldn't surprise me if Lexus stopped using it in the later years to save money.
On my2016 the split between the panes of glass are way more subtle
My 2015 base model other than Navigation has the dual pane front windows which is surprising to me because I don't even have heated seats and I thought that would be standard in this tier of luxury sedans. But also explains why it's so quiet in the cabin compared to my 2004 acura TL I had previous.
I honestly believe that the dual pane windows are not tied to any specific options packages. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason to which ones get them and which ones don't. I think it's just tied to particular lots in the factory.