Security glass
Tempered vs laminated glass: safety, security and use
Published 5 min read
Both are called safety glass, but they protect in different ways. Tempered glass is strong and breaks into small pieces. Laminated glass is held together after it breaks.
The right choice depends on what you need the glass to do when something goes wrong.
How they are built
- Single heat-treated panecompressed surface, tensioned core
Illustration, not to exact scale.
- Glass pane6 mm
- PVB interlayer0.76 mm, holds fragments
- Glass pane6 mm
Illustration, not to exact scale.
- Outer pane6 mm
- Sealed air cavity12 mm, optional argon fill
- Inner pane6 mm, optional Low-E coating
Illustration, not to exact scale.
Side by side
| Tempered | Laminated | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | One heat-treated pane | Two or more panes bonded with a PVB interlayer |
| Strength | Several times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness | Depends on the panes used; can be built from tempered panes |
| When it breaks | Fragments into many small, blunt pieces; leaves an opening | Fragments stay bonded to the interlayer; the pane stays in place |
| Security | Little delay once broken | Delays intrusion and prevents fallout |
| Sound | No special benefit | The interlayer improves sound reduction |
| Typical build | 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 mm | 6 + 0.76 PVB + 6 mm |
| Typical use | Doors, partitions, balustrades | Overhead glazing, security glazing, façades |
Typical values for guidance. Final specification is confirmed per project.
Which to choose
Doors and interior partitions
Tempered, for strength and a safe breakage pattern.
Overhead glazing and skylights
Laminated, so fragments cannot fall.
Security and noise
Laminated, for delayed entry and better sound reduction.
Façades
Often laminated tempered panes in an insulated unit, to combine strength, retention and thermal performance.
They are not mutually exclusive
Laminated glass can be made from tempered panes, giving both strength and retention. Double-glazed units can include either. Your consultant’s specification and the local building code decide the glass type for doors, overhead glazing and other hazardous locations, so confirm those before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Which is stronger, tempered or laminated?
Per pane, tempered glass is considerably stronger than ordinary glass. Laminated glass is better at staying in place after impact. Many projects use both.
Which is better for security?
Laminated, because it holds together and delays entry. Fully tempered glass fails completely and leaves an immediate opening.
Can laminated glass be repaired?
Minor damage may be repairable. Tempered glass cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
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