When choosing glass for your home or commercial property, appearance is only part of the decision. Key considerations include where the glass will be installed, how it will be used and what happens if it breaks.
Two of the most common types of safety glass are toughened glass and laminated glass. Although both are designed to provide greater safety than ordinary glass, they achieve this in different ways.
Here, we’ll look at the key differences between toughened and laminated glass and provide advice on when to use one over the other.
What is toughened glass?
Toughened glass, sometimes referred to as tempered glass (this term is used more widely in the US), is ordinary glass that has undergone a controlled heating and rapid cooling process.
This changes the stresses within the glass, making it considerably stronger and more resistant to impact and temperature changes than standard annealed glass.
One of the key safety benefits is the way toughened glass breaks. Rather than forming large, sharp shards, it is designed to break into many small, relatively blunt pieces, reducing the likelihood of serious injury.
Because of these properties, toughened glass is widely used throughout homes and commercial buildings, particularly in areas where there is a greater risk of impact.
What is laminated glass?
Laminated glass is manufactured differently. It consists of two or more sheets of glass bonded together using a strong interlayer, most commonly made from PVB (polyvinyl butyral).
If the glass is damaged, this interlayer helps hold the broken pieces in place rather than allowing them to fall away.
This makes laminated glass particularly useful where the glass needs to remain in position following breakage. Depending on the specification, it can also offer additional benefits such as improved security, sound reduction and UV protection due to its bonded, multi-layer construction.
What is the difference between toughened and laminated glass?
The fundamental difference between toughened and laminated glass centres around what happens when the glass breaks.
Toughened glass gains its safety properties from its strength and breakage pattern. It can withstand greater stresses than ordinary glass, but if it fails, the entire panel usually breaks into small pieces.
Laminated glass, meanwhile, gains much of its safety performance from the interlayer holding the glass together. Although the glass itself may crack, the broken pieces are more likely to remain attached to that layer.
When comparing toughened glass and laminated glass, it isn’t therefore a case of one being universally “better”. The best option for you depends on where you are using the glass and the type of protection required.
Toughened glass: The pros and cons
Toughened glass has several advantages. It is strong, resistant to impact and thermal stresses and its breakage pattern makes it an important safety-glazing option. It can also provide a clean, uninterrupted finish, which makes it particularly attractive for contemporary interiors.
One limitation is that once toughened glass breaks, the entire pane will generally need to be replaced. It also cannot normally be cut, drilled or altered after the toughening process, so accurate dimensions and any required holes or cut-outs must be established before it is manufactured.
For that reason, working with an experienced glazier, like Forsyth Glazing, is particularly important when ordering bespoke toughened glass.
Laminated glass: The pros and cons
The major advantage of laminated glass is that the interlayer helps keep the pane together following breakage. This can be especially valuable in locations where falling glass or an unprotected opening would create an additional risk.
The way it’s made also makes laminated glass useful where enhanced security or acoustic performance is desirable.
However, laminated glass can be heavier, and its specification may make it more expensive than some toughened alternatives. The edges may also require particular consideration depending on where and how the glass is being fitted because the PVB interlayer remains exposed at the perimeter, making it vulnerable to damage.
Where should each be used?
As mentioned earlier, the best way to know which type of glass is better suited to your needs will depend on the particular project, rather than there being hard and fast rules.
Toughened glass is commonly used for shower screens, shower doors, glass doors, splashbacks, shelving, tabletop protectors and certain balustrade designs, where strength and safe breakage characteristics are important.
Laminated glass can be especially beneficial where the glass needs to remain in position if it breaks. Depending on the design and relevant requirements, this can include balustrades, overhead glazing, large glazed panels, structural applications and areas where additional security is required.
In some cases, there may be a requirement for toughened laminated glass, which combines the strength of toughened glass with the retention properties of laminated glass for maximum safety.
It’s important to choose the glass that’s right for your safety requirements, rather than simply selecting one based on price.
How to choose between toughened and laminated glass
When trying to choose between toughened and laminated glass, you should consider the following:
- Where the glass is being installed
- Potential risk of impact
- Whether it needs to remain in position if broken
- Any building or safety requirements
- The appearance you wish to achieve
For decorative and everyday applications, toughened glass can provide the strength and safety required. Where post-breakage retention is particularly important, laminated glass may offer additional benefits.
Choosing the right safety glass for your project
The debate around toughened vs laminated glass ultimately comes down to purpose. Both have important safety benefits, but their different characteristics make them better suited to different applications.
Here at Forsyth Glazing, we manufacture and process glass at our Glasgow factory, supplying everything from specialist cut glass and shower enclosures to glass doors, balustrades and structural glazing.
If you’re unsure about the right glass for your project, speaking to an experienced glass specialist can help ensure you choose a product that offers the right combination of safety and appearance for your space. Get in touch with the team at Forsyth today.
