Laminated glass vs toughened glass

Glass is a great addition to any home or office, offering transparency and a feeling of openness, making the best use of natural light, offering better aesthetic appeal, and even improving safety.

When it comes to safety, two types of glass that stand out are:

• Laminated glass
• Toughened glass

While both offer increased safety over standard glass, they have different characteristics that make them ideal for different applications. In this article, we take a closer look at both types of glass, the differences between the two, and when to choose each type.

What is laminated glass and where is it used?

Laminated glass is a type of safety glass made by sandwiching a tough and durable plastic layer between two glass panes. This plastic layer acts as a bonding agent, holding the glass panes together in case of breakage. The resulting laminated glass is much stronger and more shatter-resistant than standard glass, making it ideal for applications where safety is a concern or where there’s a risk someone could collide with the glass.

Laminated glass is commonly used in buildings for windows and doors, skylights, and balconies.

To increase its toughness even further, toughened glass can be incorporated with a plastic inter-layer for toughened laminated glass.

What is toughened glass and where is it used?

Toughened glass is made by heating glass to a very high temperature before rapidly cooling it. This process creates a product that is much stronger than standard glass, with increased resistance to impact, thermal stress, and bending.

Toughened glass is commonly used in applications such as in buildings for windows, doors, and partitions.

What’s the difference between laminated glass and toughened glass?

While both laminated and toughened glass are considered safety glass, they have different manufacturing processes and characteristics that make them suitable for different applications.

Manufacturing:

Laminated glass is made by bonding two or more glass panes together with a plastic interlayer. Toughened glass, on the other hand, is made by heating glass to a high temperature and then rapidly cooling it, making it much stronger than standard glass.

Toughness:

While both options are much stronger than standard glass, they have different levels of toughness. Toughened glass is much more resistant to impact than laminated glass, making it ideal for applications where breakage is a concern. Laminated glass, however, is much more shatter-resistant than toughened glass, making it ideal for applications where safety against impact is a concern. On the other hand, you can enjoy the best of both worlds with toughened laminated glass as mentioned previously.

Sound proofing:

Laminated glass is better at soundproofing than toughened glass due to its plastic interlayer that helps to reduce noise transmission.

Which is best for your project?

The choice between laminated glass and toughened glass depends on the specific application and requirements of your project.

When you’d choose laminated glass:

Laminated glass is a good choice where safety is a main concern, such as in buildings where there is a risk of impact. It is also a good choice for applications where noise reduction is important, such as in areas with high levels of outside noise.

When you’d choose toughened glass:

Toughened glass is a good choice for applications where breakage is a concern, table tops, shower screens, and kitchen splashbacks. It is also a good choice where thermal stress may be an issue, such as in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations.

Browse our full range of laminated and toughened glass

Both laminated glass and toughened glass provide additional safety features.

By understanding the differences between the two, you can make an informed decision on which type of glass is best for your project. Contact us today to learn more about our laminated and toughened glass options.

Whether you choose laminated glass, toughened glass, or even toughened laminated glass, we offer a full range of options to suit your specific needs. From custom sizes and shapes to different glass thicknesses and colours, our experts can help you find the right solution for your project.