Toughened or laminated glass? Choosing safety glass door options

Understanding the differences between toughened and laminated glass is important when picking the right type of glass for your safety door. Your home or place of business’s safety and security may be impacted by the particular advantages and considerations that each option offers. This article gives an overview of these two popular options, discussing their features, benefits, and potential applications. 

See also: Modern safety door design ideas for your home

 

Meaning of safety glass doors

Safety glass is intended to reduce the risk of injury in the event of breakage. The safety glass is not as likely to break as regular glass, and even if it does, it will break into smaller, granular pieces rather than jagged shards. Standard glass is heated during the manufacturing process, increasing its internal strength and making it resistant to strong impacts. By replacing standard glass with safety glass in the external doors, you can improve the security of your home and protect it from criminals.

Source: Pinterest

 

Importance of safety glass doors

• Safety doors are tough, made with strong materials and reinforced frames to resist break-ins.
• The glass used in safety doors is toughened or laminated, making it hard to break and safer in case of attempted forced entry.
• Glass panels in safety doors allow light in, brightening rooms and creating a more open feel, especially useful in darker areas.
• Glass adds a modern touch to spaces, enhancing their overall appearance with its sleek look.
• Some safety glass doors are fire-resistant, offering extra protection during fires, and may have additional security features like films or mesh.
• Safety doors come in various styles, materials, and finishes to match different design preferences and security requirements.

 

Toughened glass

Toughened glass, or tempered glass, is like the superhero of glass. It’s made super strong through a special treatment, making it way tougher than regular glass you might find in windows or doors. This makes it a top pick for places where safety and strength really matter, like in car windows or shower doors. So, next time you see a super strong glass, it’s probably toughened glass doing its job to keep things safe and sturdy.

Treatment process

During the treatment process, the glass goes through two stages. First, it is heated to approximately 650°C until it becomes soft and easy to shape. Then it is quickly cooled, typically with air blasts. Because of its quick cooling, the glass’s exterior hardens more quickly than its interior, giving it greater strength and durability. So it’s essentially giving the glass a superpower to withstand difficult situations.

Properties

• Toughened glass is 4-5 times stronger than regular glass of the same size and thickness due to the treatment process.
• If toughened glass breaks, it shatters into small, blunt pieces instead of sharp shards, reducing the risk of injuries.
• It can withstand higher temperature changes, making it less likely to break due to heat or cold.
• Toughened glass usually meets safety standards and building codes, making it safe for various uses.

Applications

• Toughened glass is used in building exteriors for doors, windows, curtain walls, skylights, and balconies.
• It’s found indoors in shower enclosures, partitions, tabletops, shelves and balustrades.
• In automobiles, toughened glass is used for windows, windshields and sunroofs.
• It’s also used in general electronics items such as smartphones and tablets for touchscreens.

 

Laminated glass

A clear plastic layer sandwiched between two or more layers of glass creates laminated glass, a unique type of safety glass.This plastic layer, usually made of materials like polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), is what gives laminated glass its special abilities and advantages.

Properties

• Laminated glass holds together when broken, reducing the risk of injury and preventing dangerous shards.
• Its strength and tear resistance make it harder to break through, providing added security for doors, windows and display cases.
• The interlayer absorbs sound waves, making it effective for reducing noise transmission between spaces.
• It can block UV rays, protecting furniture and interiors from fading and sun damage.
• Laminated glass can be combined with different glass types for various functionalities and aesthetics.

Applications

• Laminated glass is commonly used in building exteriors for doors, windows, curtain walls, skylights and balconies, particularly in high-safety areas.
• Indoors, it’s found in shower enclosures, partitions, tabletops, shelves and balustrades.
• Architecturally, it’s applied in building facades, canopies and skylights where enhanced security and UV protection are needed.
• In security settings, laminated glass is used for bulletproof glass, bank teller windows, and jewelry display cases.
• Certain high-end cars use laminated glass for windshields to improve safety and reduce noise.

 

Which one to choose?

Feature	Toughened glass	Laminated glass
Strength	High	Moderate (higher than regular glass)
Shatter Resistance	Shatters into small, blunt fragments	Holds fragments together with interlayer
Safety	Good	Excellent
Security	Moderate	Good
Soundproofing	Low	Moderate
UV Protection	No	Can be formulated with UV-blocking interlayer
Heat Resistance	Moderate	Moderate
Cost	Lower	Higher
Applications	Building exteriors, interiors, automotive	Building exteriors, interiors, security applications, windshields

 

FAQs

What's tougher, toughened or laminated glass?

Both are stronger than regular glass, but toughened glass has higher initial strength.

Which is safer in case of breakage?

Laminated glass is safer as it holds fragments together, preventing injuries.

Does laminated glass block sound?

Yes, the interlayer helps absorb sound waves.

Does either type of glass provide UV protection?

Laminated glass can be formulated to block UV rays, offering protection for interiors, while toughened glass does not provide UV protection.

Which glass type offers more versatility in applications?

Laminated glass offers more versatility as it can be combined with different glass types for various functionalities.

Can toughened and laminated glass be combined for enhanced safety and security?

Yes, in some cases, toughened and laminated glass can be combined to create a glass product with both increased strength and shatter resistance, providing enhanced safety and security.

Is there a significant difference in cost between toughened and laminated glass?

Generally, laminated glass tends to be more expensive than toughened glass due to its additional safety features and manufacturing process.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com