Toughened and laminated glass are both called safety glass but are very different types of glass. But which one is suitable for which circumstance?

Laminated vs. Toughened Glass: Making the Right Choice for Your Home

When upgrading your home’s windows and doors, selecting the appropriate glass type is crucial for safety, security, and comfort. Two primary options are laminated and toughened glass, each offering distinct benefits.​

Toughened Glass

Toughened glass, also known as tempered glass, is significantly stronger than standard glass. It’s designed to withstand impacts and high temperatures, making it ideal for areas like shower screens, splashbacks, and tabletops. If broken, it shatters into small, blunt pieces, reducing the risk of injury.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer. This design ensures that, if broken, the glass remains intact, adhering to the interlayer and preventing dangerous shards from scattering. This feature enhances security, making it harder for intruders to penetrate. Additionally, laminated glass offers better sound insulation and blocks a significant amount of harmful UV radiation, protecting your interiors from sun damage. ​

Key Differences and Applications

• Safety: Both types enhance safety. Toughened glass minimizes injury risk through its breakage pattern, while laminated glass prevents the formation of openings upon impact, maintaining a barrier against external elements or potential intruders.​
• Security: Laminated glass provides an added layer of security due to its ability to stay intact when shattered, making it more challenging for potential intruders to gain entry.​
• Sound Insulation and UV Protection: Laminated glass offers additional benefits, such as improved sound insulation and blocking up to 99% of ultraviolet radiation, protecting interiors from harmful UV rays.​

Building Regulations Considerations

In the UK, building regulations specify the use of safety glass in ‘critical locations’ to protect occupants from injury. These critical locations include:​

• Glazing in Doors: Any glazing within doors that is wholly or partially within 1500mm (approximately 59 inches) from floor level must be safety glass.​
• Glazing Adjacent to Doors: Glazing within 300mm (approximately 12 inches) of the edge of a door and within 1500mm from floor level is considered critical and requires safety glass.​
• Low-Level Glazing: Glazing not covered by the above points but located within 800mm (approximately 31 inches) from floor level must also be safety glass.​

Safety glass used in these critical locations must comply with specific British Standards:​

• BS EN 12600: This standard specifies a pendulum impact test method for flat glass and classifies it based on performance under impact and mode of breakage. Toughened glass typically achieves a Class 1 rating, while laminated glass can achieve Class 1 or 2, depending on its composition.​
• BS 6206: Although superseded by BS EN 12600, BS 6206 is still referenced in some regulations. It categorizes safety glass into Classes A, B, or C, with Class A being the highest. Toughened glass usually attains Class A, whereas laminated glass can range between Classes A to C, depending on its construction.​

It’s essential to ensure that any safety glass installed in critical locations is appropriately marked to indicate compliance with these standards.​

Choosing the Right Glass for Your Home

Your choice between laminated and toughened glass should align with both the specific requirements of your project and compliance with building regulations:

• Use Toughened Glass: In areas where high strength and resistance to thermal stress are essential, such as frameless glass doors, partitions, or areas prone to high impact.​
• Use Laminated Glass: In situations where safety upon breakage, sound reduction, UV protection, or enhanced security is a priority, such as in skylights, storefronts, or windows in hurricane-prone regions.​

Both laminated and toughened glass offer unique advantages tailored to different applications. Assessing the specific needs of your project and ensuring compliance with building regulations will guide you in selecting the most appropriate glass type, ensuring safety, functionality, and durability.