Popular for their strong, reliable qualities, toughened glass and laminated glass have both been specially treated to offer the ultimate in safety and standards for both domestic and commercial properties.
However, the difference between the two types is often unknown and they can both be grouped into the same categories when in actual fact, they each offer different benefits and are better suited for different things.
Here at Stevenage Glass, we are experts in all types of glass. If you need toughened glass, or laminated glass, our team can help – contact our team for a quote or give us a call on 01438 540 140.
Toughened glass – also known as tempered glass – is up to five times stronger than regular glass. This is achieved by heating regular glass at high temperatures (650°C) and then cooling very quickly. This process makes it tougher (hence the name) and up to 400% or 500% more resistant to heat and shock than ordinary glass.
The aim of the toughening process is to primarily improve the structural durability and thermal strength of the glass, in turn increasing its resilience and ability to withstand heat. It’s worth noting that this type of glass cannot be re-cut after it has been toughened; it must be cut prior to the toughening process.
Toughened glass is specially treated so that it will break into small, blunt pieces under pressure, making it much safer than shards of normal glass.
Laminated glass technically has the same strength as regular glass but has a plastic interlayer between two panes of 3mm thick glass, holding them together. The PVB plastic interlayer is a tough resin which will hold the shards in place should the glass break, providing a safe double-layered design.
For safety reasons, laminated glass must comply with EN ISO 12543 specifications, and the transparency of the glass won’t be altered during the laminating process.
After looking at the differences between toughened and laminated glass, it’s clear that both types can endure greater impact and stress, withstanding high and low temperatures also. This makes them the perfect option when it comes to health and safety standards.
Due to the layers, laminated glass is thicker than toughened glass and, therefore, offers better insulation and resistance against any shock or damage, whether it be accidental or intentional. That said, laminated glass is heavier and more costly than toughened, so it’s important to weigh up what is most important to you prior to purchasing anything.
The benefits of toughened and laminated glass demonstrate the main differences between the two:
To identify whether your property has laminated or toughened glass, you will need to look for a printed kitemark code in the corners of the glass:
Here at Stevenage Glass, we provide both toughened and laminated glass, made to order for our customers throughout Stevenage, London and the surrounding counties. We will work closely with you to understand your exact requirements to provide you with a no-obligation quote to suit your budget.
If you’d like to know more about the toughened and laminated glass we produce, or how it can be used either at work or home, then please feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.
Contact our team for a free quote! Send us a message online, or call us on 01438 540 140.
Glass is a solid-like and transparent material that is used in numerous applications in our daily lives.
Glass is made from natural and abundant raw materials (sand, soda ash and limestone) that are melted at high temperature to form a new material: glass.
Glass manufacturing has an age-old tradition which dates to around 3500 BC. Since then, processes have constantly evolved from craftsmanship to today’s high-tech industrial processes and the number of glass types and applications have multiplied.
Glass has shaped Europe’s cultural heritage, regions, industries, living conditions, technological deployments, etc. like no other substance.