Toughened Safety Glass VS Laminated Glass

TOUGHENED GLASS VS LAMINATED GLASS

Toughened Safety glass and laminated glass are both popular materials for their durable and strong qualities. Both materials are very reliable in regards to security and both domestic and commercial uses. Aacme Glass have provided you with a summary of the different types of glass including their differences and advantages. The two materials usually get put under the same category, however, the benefits they offer are better suited to different situations. If you have any questions about which type of glass would be best for your home please contact us on our website where a friendly team member would be happy to help.

WHAT IS TOUGHENED SAFETY GLASS?

Toughened safety glass is actually up to five times stronger than normal glass. The glass is toughened by increasing the temperature of normal glass up to temperatures up to 650 Degrees Celcius. Quickly after heating up the glass, it is brought back down to a cool temperature. This process makes the glass a lot more heat resistant and shock resistant in comparison to normal glass.

The process improves the durability and thermal strength of the glass. Toughened safety glass is also a lot safer than normal glass. The glass is treated so that if the glass was to break it would break into small pieced rather than sharp shards.

WHAT IS LAMINATED GLASS?

Laminated glass, in theory, has the same strength as normal glass, however, laminated glass is structured completely differently. Laminated glass consists of two pieces of glass sandwiched on the outside of a plastic interlayer. Each layer of glass is around 3mm thick. The plastic interlayer holds the shards of glass together in place and will continue to do so if the glass is broken. This provides a double layered design which is extremely safe.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO?

Both the toughened safety glass and the laminated glass are able to endure impact and cope with extremely high and low temperature. Both are extremely useful materials and are perfect when it comes to safety requirements too.

Toughened safety glass is thinner than laminated glass due to the laminated glass’ multiple layers. This does mean that laminated glass would offer better insulation, however, both are able to deal with impact, stress and temperature changes.

GLASS BREAKAGES

Toughened safety glass and laminated glass break in completely different ways. Toughened safety glass is treated so that it will break into tiny blunt pieces rather than sharp shards. Laminated glass, on the other hand, uses the plastic interlayer to help the glass hold all the shards in place providing a doubled layered safety begin.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?

Toughened safety glass can withstand very high temperatures and it up to five times as strong as normal glass. This means it would require a huge amount of pressure and stress to break it. If the glass is broken it will break into even, blunt and tiny pieces which will cause minimal damage. Another important piece of information is that whilst the glass is toughening the colour, clarity, light transmission, composition and hardness do not change what so ever.

Laminated glass has a plastic interlayer which allows the glass to stay in place should the glass break. It is wonderful for insulation as it is very thick and it can deal with changes in temperature. As the glass is so thick it is also very good for sound insulation and can also reduce the harmful effects of  UV rays. Lastly, the glass can withstand extreme weather such as heavy rain and strong winds.

WHERE CAN EACH MATERIAL BE FOUND?

Toughened safety glass can be found in common household furniture such as worktops, tabletops, shelves, shower doors, splashbacks, balustrades and flooring. This type of glass is also used for greenhouses due to its heat insulation qualities.

Laminated glass, due to its safety qualities is usually found at the front of shops, car windscreens, security glass and internal and external doors.

Aacme Glass

Here at Aacme Glass, we have nearly 60 years experience in the industry and we are confident can provide you with either toughened safety glass or laminated glass specifically made to order for you and your home. We will work closely with you to understand your exact requirements and work to the specification to create the design you have envisioned for your home. If you would like more information about our toughened safety glass or laminated glass. Please feel free to get in touch with us and our friendly staff would be more than happy to answer your questions on our website.