Difference Between Toughened and Laminated Glass

According to glass suppliers, there has been a rise in demand for "safety glass" and other glazing solutions to keep homes and commercial buildings safe.

For commercial building owners, forcible entry is one of the most serious safety problems. Burglars frequently target huge doors and windows, which are the biggest weaknesses of homes and buildings even though they are both functional and aesthetically valuable.

As a result, glass manufacturers continue to develop better glass products to suit the demands of households and commercial building owners for safer glazing.

If you need durable safety glass, you have two options - toughened or laminated glass. These two varieties may appear to be indistinguishable at first glance, yet they each have unique characteristics. We go through the essential qualities, benefits and applications of each glass type, as well as which one is best for you, in this easy-to-understand guide.

What is toughened glass?

Toughened glass, often known as tempered glass, is a type of high-strength glass that is five times stronger than regular glass. A regular-strength pane of glass is heated to a high temperature and then rapidly cooled to generate toughened glass, which has a very resistant outer layer that can survive impacts and temperature fluctuations.

It's worth mentioning that once hardened, this sort of glass cannot be re-cut; it must be cut before the toughening process.

Toughened glass is specially treated to break into tiny, blunt bits when pressure is applied, making it far safer than shards of ordinary glass.

Applications of toughened glass:

These are all examples of applications where durable and heat-resistant glass is necessary.

• Worktops
• Tabletops
• Greenhouse glass
• Shower screens
• Splashbacks
• Microwave
• Ovens
• Glass shelves
• Internal partition walls
• Glass balustrades and
• Monitor screens

Benefits of toughened glass:

1. It shatters into smaller, blunter fragments rather than lethal shards when broken
2. It is extremely hard to break because of its high durability
3. It has an exceptional heat resistance and can withstand extreme temperatures
4. It is stronger than conventional glass by up to five times

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is made out of two or more pieces of glass sandwiching a plastic interlayer, which is commonly made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) or PVB (polyvinyl butyral). Pressure rollers are used to create this structure, which helps in forming mechanical and chemical bonds.

Furthermore, because the panes do not shatter on contact, laminated glass does not provide a space for intruders or thieves to crawl through.

Applications of laminated glass:

Ideal for places where security is a top priority, like:

• Shopfronts
• External and internal doors
• Shelving
• Vehicle windscreens
• Partition walls
• Ground floor glass
• Security glass
• Insulating glass
• Noise control
• Storm resistance

Benefits of laminated glass:

1. When the structure shatters, the plastic interlayer keeps the structure intact, making it impact-resistant
2. Because the structure remains unbroken after an impact, it's perfect for security
3. It increases safety by preventing fragments from scattering and instead of being held in place by the plastic covering
4. It has sound controlling qualities as well as the ability to block out a significant amount of UV rays

Which one should you choose?

Tempered glasses are often the primary choice for strength and breaking resistance. Laminated glass is generally the product of choice for flexibility, UV resistance, security and sound factors. Both of these materials are considered safety glazing and are available in various thicknesses, hues and tints. When installed correctly, both are simple to clean and maintain.

It's important to remember that tempered glass cannot be cut. When the glass has gone through the tempering process, penetrating the surface causes it to burst.

If you're going to use tempered glass for a project, make sure you finish all of the sizings first. On the other hand, the laminated glass may usually be cut and sized at any moment, which may be beneficial for some projects.

Laminated glass is typically slightly more expensive than tempered glass of the same type and thickness. Both laminated and tempered glass have outstanding visual clarity, and both will give many years of reliable service on your door or window.

The decision between these two varieties of glass will depend on your needs. Both can handle stress and impact and have their own distinct method of providing safety, security and thermal resistance to your home or office.

Also, read here: What is Privacy Glass Technology?