Struggling to choose between toughened or laminated glass? Explore 8 use cases to help you decide.
Sometimes, you need safety glass. Building regulations specify the "critical locations" that demand it – no ifs and buts.
But there are other times when toughened or laminated glass – two key types of safety glass – can be the right choice for an installation. Yes, they add safety. But they can also provide thermal insulation, protection against extreme weather, privacy and extra hygiene – as well as unlocking new design possibilities.
The difference between toughened and laminated glass is all to do with the way they're manufactured.
Toughened glass – also known as tempered glass – is fired in a furnace and then rapidly cooled with blasts of air. This excites the molecules in such a way that the finished product breaks into lots of small pieces rather than jagged, dangerous shards.
Laminated glass, by contrast, consists of two panes of glass with a plastic interlayer. This means that when struck forcibly, the outer pane cracks but doesn't shatter – and the whole unit retains structural integrity.
Those are the differences – but when should you choose one rather than the other? Let's explore eight use cases to help you make the right decision.
1. You need thermal insulation
Sustainability is a hot topic. If you're getting glass installed in a commercial or domestic setting, thermal efficiency is a key consideration.
In this instance, however, both toughened and laminated glass will do the job. The main thing is to get it double- or triple-glazed to make sure heat isn't leaking in and out.
If you choose laminated glass for a thermally efficient installation, it will probably be because of other factors such as acoustic insulation, the need for extra security, the likelihood of extreme weather or the chances of high sun exposure.
2. You need to walk on the glass
One of the biggest advances in glass technology over the last century has been the advent of
walk-on glass. We've gone from a time when it was about as feasible as a chocolate teapot to a time of glass staircases, floors, roofs and even bridges.
This is only possible because of safety glass. No other type of glass will do. Installers typically use both toughened and laminated glass – in other words, sheets of laminated glass made using toughened glass layers.
The thickness required depends on the load that the installation is likely to bear. For instance, a glass balcony or balustrade is likely to be at least 33 millimetres thick for that extra level of protection.
3. You need to protect against extreme weather
Some parts of the world have always had to deal with extreme weather. But the chances of violent storms have increased – and climate scientists are confident this trend will continue.
This means architects in hurricane zones and other areas vulnerable to extreme weather need to think about the kinds of glass they use. Safety should never be an afterthought. For this reason, windows, doors and other structural glazing in these areas are often made of laminated glass.
4. You want your glass to be reflective
Mirror glass comes in different forms. It can be toughened or laminated for extra safety. If laminated to the correct specification, it becomes strong enough to walk on.
When buying mirror glass, you're unlikely to spend too much time worrying about the precise type of glass used. Instead, you'll look for thick, silvered, blemish-free panels.
5. You need privacy
Sometimes, you want glass that's crystal-clear – windows, say, or the walls of an aquarium. Other times, you want privacy. Traditionally, this has been the preserve of frosted and tinted glass: two types of glass that can add elegance to a room while keeping out prying eyes.
But now there's a newcomer on the block:
switchable smart glass. This is a type of glass that can be switched from transparent to opaque with the touch of a button.
Despite not yet being a mainstream product, you'll find it in all manner of applications – from shower doors to sunroofs, from office partitions to screens in medical facilities.
Frosted and tinted glass can be toughened or laminated. Smart glass is, by definition, made of laminated glass. This is because the technological magic that causes it to go opaque happens in a special interlayer sandwiched between the glass layers.
6. You want to display valuables in a glass cabinet
Go to any jewellery store and you'll see the goodies on display in glass cabinets. Naturally, this isn't the same glass that you'd use to make a champagne flute. The risks are too high to cut corners on security. That's why these cabinets are made out of a special type of laminated glass called
anti-bandit glass.
In the event of a break-in, you'll need more than a hammer to get at the valuables. By the time the thief has exhausted herself bashing away at the cabinet, the police will have arrived.
7. You want glass that's easy to clean
In some environments, glass gets dirty, fast. This is especially true if you get a glass kitchen or bathroom splashback. It won't be long before your box-fresh installation is spattered with toothpaste or cooking grease.
Both toughened and laminated glass splashbacks are easy to clean – especially if you spray and wipe them down regularly. This means you get the elegant look of glass without wearing out your elbow. Nice!
8. You have a design in mind
One reason for glass's versatility is that it can be designed in lots of different ways. It can be
digitally printed or
screen-printed. It can be frosted or
sandblasted. It can be
coloured or fitted with a
fabric interlayer. It's no exaggeration to say that the only limit is your imagination.
If you do have a design in mind, both toughened and laminated glass can do the job – though laminated glass offers more versatility. As with other applications, the choice will also depend on how much you need the extra protections that laminated glass affords.
ToughGlaze is one of the UK's most trusted names in glass. We provide global customers with an unbeatable selection of glass processing options, all carried out in our 197,000-square-foot facility in Bedford. Want to know more? Don't hesitate to
get in touch with our friendly experts.
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