Laminated Vs Tempered Glass：Which One to Choose?

Both laminated and tempered glass are commonly used in windows to prevent glass from breaking. However, they do have differences. Laminated glass and tempered glass. They are often mistaken for each other and confused for the same product. They are not. Although both are types of safety glass and superior to standard glass, laminated glass and tempered glass are significantly different in many ways.

Similar in that both offer better protection against break-ins, flying objects and strong winds when used in domestic interiors, laminated and tempered glass each protect property in their own unique way, mainly in how they react when broken.

In this blog, we will explain the core differences between laminated and tempered glass, from the manufacturing process to how they react to impact. Understanding the differences between these two types of security glass will give you a better understanding of which will provide the right security for your windows, doors and skylights.

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is well known for its use in the windscreens of most cars around the world. This global use can be attributed to what happens when laminated glass shatters.

When shattered, laminated glass will stay in place and not break into large jagged pieces or hundreds of small fragments. Instead, it will stay in place long enough for a replacement to be found.

Laminated Glass

On top of this, as the glass does not break on impact, laminated glass does not leave any holes for intruders and thieves to crawl through. Laminated glass also offers far better UV resistance and sound insulation than annealed glass.

There are several different types of laminated security glass that can withstand specific levels of attack. These include blast resistant glass, fire resistant glass, bullet resistant glass and sun control laminated glass.

What is Tempered Glass?

Tempered glass, also known as tempered glass, is a type of safety glass that is five times stronger than annealed laminated glass of the same size and thickness. Tempered glass gains this strength from the toughening process, where it undergoes intense heating and then rapid cooling during the manufacturing process.

This toughness gives tempered glass a higher load and breakage resistance. Tempered glass requires a heavier impact than other safety glass to break.

Tempered Glass

Laminated glass stays in place when broken, whereas tempered glass shatters into hundreds of small pieces. You may see this in a damaged floor in a telephone box or bus stop.

This method of breaking reduces the risk of injury compared to annealed glass that breaks into larger jagged pieces that are more likely to injure anyone nearby. Tempered glass is four to five times more heat resistant than standard glass and can withstand temperature changes of up to 250°C.

Tempered glass vs. laminated glass - which is better?

There is no clear answer to the question of whether to choose tempered or laminated glass in an application. Except when it is very obvious, i.e. in car windscreens, it usually depends on personal preference.

If comparing the safety of the two, tempered glass is the stronger glass and requires more force to break. However, when it does so, the area that the glass is protecting is exposed. With laminated glass, this is far less of a concern as the glass will stay in place when broken.

Others will argue that tempered glass is still the safer option as it is much less likely to break and the tiny shards of glass that fall are not sharp or jagged and therefore less likely to cause serious injury.

In terms of price, tempered glass is the cheaper option in its category and is more likely to offer both as standard. Laminated glass usually offers greater protection than tempered glass in terms of noise reduction and UV resistance.

Northglass is one of China's leading suppliers of glass products.Our glass pass Australian CSI certificates, US IGCC SGCC certificates, European CE certificates and Chinese national safety glass standards. Automatic equipment processing, professional workers, combing strict quality control process enable us efficiently provide qualified glass. Welcome to contact us today or request a quote.