Should You Opt for Laminated Glass or Tempered Glass?

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Both laminated and toughened glass are frequently employed in glazing applications to offer resistance against breakage and environmental hazards. Nonetheless, they possess distinct characteristics.

By Larry Bohan on 19 September.

Laminated glass and toughened glass are often confused for each other, despite not being the same.

As types of safety glass, both are superior to regular glass, yet laminated and toughened glass differ substantially in several key aspects.

While each provides enhanced safety against break-ins, airborne objects, and strong winds when utilized in residential settings, each type protects properties uniquely, particularly in response to impacts.

This article will outline the fundamental distinctions between laminated glass and toughened glass, covering everything from production processes to their behavior upon impact.

Understanding these differences will help you determine which type of safety glass is suitable for your windows, doors, and skylights.

Understanding Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is widely recognized for its application in vehicle windshields globally. This prevalence can be attributed to its behavior when it breaks.

When shattered, laminated glass remains intact instead of breaking into large, sharp shards or numerous tiny fragments. It holds together long enough to allow for a replacement to be arranged.

This feature is thanks to the plastic interlayer (polyvinyl butyral) that is positioned between two glass sheets during manufacturing. This effectively bonds the two panes, ensuring that even if the glass breaks, its pieces stay adhered to the thin film.

This valuable safety characteristic significantly minimizes the risk of injuries caused by falling glass.

Furthermore, as the panes do not shatter completely upon impact, laminated glass does not create an entry point for burglars and vandals. Laminated glass also exhibits superior UV protection and sound insulation compared to annealed glass.

Various types of laminated safety glass exist, designed to resist specific levels of attacks, including blast-resistant glass, fire-resistant glass, bullet-resistant glass, and solar control laminated glass.

Defining Toughened Glass

Toughened glass, also referred to as tempered glass due to its manufacturing process, is a type of safety glass that boasts strength five times greater than that of standard or laminated glass of the same dimensions and thickness.

This strength arises from the tempering process, which subjects the glass to extreme heating followed by rapid cooling during production.

The enhanced durability allows toughened glass to resist higher loads and breakage. It requires a much more forceful impact to shatter than other types of safety glass.

In contrast to laminated glass, which remains intact when damaged, toughened glass shatters into small, harmless pieces. This characteristic is often observed on the ground near a damaged box or bus stop.

This shattering mechanism presents a lower injury risk than that posed by annealed glass, which tends to break into larger, sharper shards that can harm people nearby.

Toughened glass offers heat resistance up to four to five times more than standard glass, tolerating temperature fluctuations up to 250°C without faltering.

Laminated Glass vs Tempered Glass - Which Should You Choose?

The choice between toughened or laminated glass for specific applications doesn’t have a straightforward solution. Unless circumstances dictate an obvious choice—such as on car windshields—personal preference often takes precedence.

When comparing the two concerning security, toughened glass is undeniably stronger, requiring significantly more force to break. However, the area it was protecting could be left exposed when it does shatter.

Laminated glass, by contrast, remains in situ even when fractured. However, as laminated glass is less break-resistant than toughened glass, it is more likely to crack due to accidental impacts from projectiles like stray balls.

Some individuals prefer laminated glass in overhead constructions to minimize the risk of showering glass debris, although this heightens the urgency for replacement when this scenario occurs.

Others argue that toughened glass remains a safer choice due to its lower likelihood of shattering, with the resultant small glass fragments posing minimal injury risk.

In terms of cost, toughened glass is often the more affordable option and is typically offered as a standard choice. While sound insulation and UV protection are primary concerns, laminated glass generally outperforms toughened glass in these areas.

Our Offerings at Sterlingbuild

Numerous brands available through Sterlingbuild incorporate both laminated and toughened glass within their products, utilizing a combination of a laminated inner pane paired with an outer toughened pane for optimal performance.

Both ECO+ and the VELUX Group provide such configurations with their standard centre pivot pitched roof windows. ECO+ additionally features this dual glazing option throughout its flat rooflight range.

RoofLITE exclusively employs toughened glass in its roof windows, as do REAL in their assortment of aluminium bifolding and sliding doors.

Our bespoke services, such as those we offer for our Korniche roof lanterns and Signature flat glass rooflights, can be tailored with any combination of laminated and toughened glass.

When determining the materials for window frames, jambs, and trim, there are four primary material categories to choose from. In certain instances, two types can be combined; for example, wood for the interior and an exterior clad with aluminum. Each material presents unique characteristics ranging from design to performance features. To select the ideal material for your needs, factors such as your local climate, architectural style, and aesthetic preferences should be considered.

Wood: The pairing of wood and windows is exceptional. The species utilized in construction and cladding boast superior structural integrity, allowing for some flexibility while resisting excessive movements as humidity and temperatures fluctuate. Additionally, wood can be easily shaped into designs that are unattainable with other materials, and it accommodates various painted or stained finishes effectively.

When discussing wood species, pine remains the most commonly used for window interiors and exteriors, though it is sometimes covered on the exterior with extruded aluminum or fiberglass cladding to reduce maintenance needs. Wood serves as an efficient insulator. Douglas Fir could be utilized in place of pine for added strength and a striking vertical grain.

Oak is often selected as a window material for aesthetic appeal. Currently, White Oak is the most widely used variety. Its harder nature renders it more expensive due to the greater difficulty in its machining and joining processes. However, its visual effect can be magnificent. Honduras Mahogany, an exotic and beautiful hardwood with deep, rich tones, is increasingly scarce because of overharvesting. Ensure any Mahogany windows sourced are made with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to verify responsible growth and harvesting practices.

Feel free to reach out to discuss the advantages to laminated glass. Our knowledgeable sales team is available to help identify options that fit your needs.