Laminated Glass vs. Tempered Glass: Which Is Better for Security and Design?
Choosing the right type of safety glass is important for architects, builders, and property owners who want to balance security, aesthetics, and performance.
With rising concerns about break-ins, severe weather, and even noise pollution, laminated glass and tempered glass have become two of the most popular options in modern construction. However, despite both being classified as safety glass, they differ significantly in how they’re made, how they break, and where they perform best.
Understanding these differences is essential to avoid costly mistakes and ensure your glass installation meets the needs of your space. Whether you’re planning to secure a storefront, upgrade residential windows, or add a sleek glass element to your interior design, this guide will walk you through the key distinctions between laminated glass and tempered glass, from strength and security to price and recommended applications.
All You Need to Know About Laminated Glass
Now let’s learn all about this glass so you can decide if it’s a good fit for your project.
What Is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass is made by bonding two or more layers of glass with a plastic interlayer, usually polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This interlayer holds the glass sheets together even when shattered, preventing dangerous shards from scattering. The result is a glass product that combines durability with enhanced safety features.
Main Benefits of Laminated Glass
Laminated glass offers many of these benefits.
- Security: Because the interlayer keeps the glass intact when broken, it’s much harder to penetrate, making it an excellent choice for preventing forced entry.
- Sound Reduction: Laminated glass dampens sound, which is ideal for buildings near busy streets or in noisy environments.
- UV Protection: The plastic interlayer blocks up to 99% of harmful UV rays, helping protect interiors from fading.
- Design Options: The interlayer can incorporate decorative films, graphics, or colored layers, offering creative opportunities in architecture.
Common Uses of Laminated Glass
Laminated glass has some very specific uses.
- Storefronts and commercial doors where security is a priority.
- Skylights and overhead glazing to prevent falling glass hazards.
- High-rise building windows.
- Automotive windshields.
- Glass railings and balustrades.
All You Need to Know About Tempered Glass
Now let’s learn all about this glass so you can decide if it’s a good fit for your project.
What Is Tempered Glass?
Tempered glass starts as regular (annealed) glass that is heated to high temperatures and then rapidly cooled in a controlled process called tempering. This thermal treatment increases its strength by putting the outer surfaces in compression and the inner core in tension.
When it breaks, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp, jagged shards, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
Main Benefits of Tempered Glass
Tempered glass offers many of these benefits.
- Impact Resistance: Tempered glass is about four to five times stronger than standard glass, making it highly resistant to impacts.
- Safety on Breakage: The characteristic “dice-like” shattering minimizes the danger of sharp edges.
- Thermal Resistance: It can withstand higher temperature changes without breaking compared to standard glass.
Common Uses of Tempered Glass
Tempered glass has some very specific uses.
- Shower doors and bathroom enclosures.
- Side and rear windows in vehicles.
- Glass doors and partitions in interiors.
- Tabletops and shelves.
- Windows in high-rise buildings where safety glass is required by code.
Laminated Glass vs Tempered Glass: Key Differences
While both laminated and tempered glass fall under the category of safety glass, they are designed for different needs and situations. Laminated glass is best when security, sound insulation, and UV protection are priorities, since its interlayer keeps broken pieces together and adds extra benefits.
Tempered glass, on the other hand, is ideal where high impact resistance and breakage safety are needed, offering impressive strength but shattering completely into small, blunt fragments if broken.
Below is a quick comparison highlighting the main differences:
Feature | Laminated Glass | Tempered Glass |
Construction | Multiple layers bonded with plastic interlayer (PVB) | Single sheet heat-treated for strength |
Breakage | Holds together when shattered | Shatters into small, blunt pieces |
Security | Harder to penetrate, better for forced-entry prevention | Less secure, easier to break through |
Sound Reduction | Excellent noise dampening | Minimal sound insulation |
UV Protection | Blocks most UV rays | Limited UV protection |
Cost | Generally more expensive | Less expensive than laminated glass |
✅ Choosing the right glass type depends on your specific project needs. If you need maximum security and soundproofing, laminated glass is the better option; if you want cost-effective safety glass with high impact resistance, tempered glass is often the preferred choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is safer: laminated or tempered glass?
Both are safety glasses, but laminated glass offers better protection against forced entry (hurricanne protection too) since it holds together when shattered, making it harder to penetrate. Tempered glass, while very strong, will completely shatter into small pieces when broken.
Can laminated and tempered glass be used together?
Yes! Many projects combine both types. For example, laminated glass for exterior windows to prevent break-ins and reduce noise, and tempered glass for interior doors or partitions where impact resistance is key.
Which glass type is better for soundproofing?
Laminated glass is better for sound reduction because the interlayer absorbs sound vibrations, helping minimize noise from outside.
Is laminated glass more expensive than tempered glass?
Generally, yes. Laminated glass tends to cost more due to its multi-layered construction and added benefits like UV protection and sound insulation.
Where should I use tempered glass?
Tempered glass is great for shower doors, side and rear vehicle windows, interior glass partitions, glass tabletops, and areas where safety glass is required, but extreme security isn’t necessary.
Does laminated glass block UV rays?
Yes! Laminated glass can block up to 99% of harmful UV radiation, helping protect your interiors from fading and sun damage.
At PRL, we understand that choosing the right type of glass is essential for the safety, functionality, and aesthetics of your project. That’s why we offer a wide range of laminated glass solutions designed to meet the highest standards of security, sound insulation, and UV protection. Our laminated glass is ideal for commercial buildings, residential spaces, and architectural designs that demand performance without compromising style.
Explore our complete line of laminated glass products and discover how PRL can help you bring your vision to life with innovative glazing solutions tailored to your needs. Contact our team today to learn more about our offerings and find the perfect glass for your next project.
