Laminated vs Toughened Glass
When it comes to picking out the right type of glass for your living or working space, the choices can feel overwhelming. You want to make sure you choose the right type to keep your loved ones or employees safe and secure. Two popular options are laminated and toughened glass, often referred to as “safety glass.” But what sets them apart and makes them the preferred choice for those looking for added protection? In this blog, I’m going to explain the differences between laminated and toughened glass and help you understand why they are such a popular choice for those who value safety and security in their homes and offices.
Table of Contents
Overview of Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is composed of two or more layers of glass that are held together with a plastic interlayer. This interlayer provides improved strength and safety capabilities when compared to regular glass. It can also reduce the transmission of sound, making it an effective soundproofing material. Laminated glass is also resistant to breakage, as it holds the shards of broken glass in place should an accident occur.
Overview of Toughened Glass
Toughened or tempered glass is glass that has been heat-treated to increase its strength and safety capabilities. It is four to five times stronger than regular annealed glass, making it ideal for applications such as windows and doors where safety is a priority. In the event that it does break, toughened glass breaks into small, relatively harmless chunks instead of large shards like regular glass.
Cost Comparison
As an average, you can expect to pay approximately $300 per sqm for laminated glass and $160 per sqm for toughened glass.
Due to the complexity of the manufacturing process and the materials involved, laminated glass is often more expensive than its counterpart tempered glass. This is mainly because of the extra layers of material that need to be used when creating a laminated panel in comparison to what is required for a toughened one. The layers of interlayers, adhesives and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) that are inserted between two pieces of glass make up the construction of laminated glass, whereas for toughened glass it only requires a single sheet of heated glass which then undergoes a rapid cooling process.
Safety
When it comes to safety, both laminated and toughened glass have their own unique advantages. Toughened glass, when it shatters or breaks, usually breaks into small, rounded pieces, reducing the risk of injury. On the other hand, laminated glass is less likely to break or shatter in the first place, due to its interlayer material, making it a safer option for areas where there is a risk of falling such as balconies and sky bridges.
Security
When it comes to security, laminated glass provides a higher level of protection against potential break-ins. The interlayer material within the glass acts as a barrier, making it difficult for intruders to penetrate. Additionally, laminated glass is less likely to break or shatter, providing an extra layer of protection against potential threats. On the other hand, although toughened glass is stronger and sturdier than regular annealed float glass, it will still break or shatter upon impact or if exposed to extreme temperatures, making it less secure in terms of protection against break-ins.
Soundproofing Capabilities
Another area where laminated glass has the advantage over toughened glass is its soundproofing capabilities. As previously mentioned, laminated glass is composed of two or more layers held together with an interlayer. This interlayer helps to reduce the transmission of sound, making it a great choice for areas that require increased sound insulation.
Installation Time & Difficulty
When it comes to installation, toughened glass is the easier one to install. Laminated glass is heavier and can fail down the track if not installed correctly. On the other hand, toughened glass can just be installed the same way as regular glass.
When installing laminated glass, it is paramount that the pane is properly sealed into the window frame. If not, the edge of the pane could be left exposed which can cause water or air to be drawn in through the gap which would then create a vacuum effect and risk damaging the laminated glass. This can easily happen if not enough sealant or putty is used when applying the glazing beads, leading to leakage and other issues such as condensation buildup between layers of glass.
Lifespan
Both materials are incredibly durable and could easily last 25 years or more if properly installed and cared for.
It should be noted that laminated glass is known to be heavier than its toughened counterpart, and this can cause more wear and tear on window frames and hinges over time.
Additionally, laminated glass is also known to have a higher thermal expansion rate when compared to toughened glass. This means that during temperature fluctuations, such as those seen during summer or winter months, laminated glass may expand and contract at an accelerated rate. This causes further stress on window frames and hinges, leading to premature wear-and-tear. It is important for homeowners to bear this in mind when choosing between laminated and toughened glass for their windows.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the right type of glass for a particular application, both laminated and toughened glass each have their own unique advantages.
When it comes to safety and security, laminated glass offers superior protection against potential intruders as well as environmental elements like high winds and hail storms. In addition, this type of glass is able to block up to 97% of UV light which can be beneficial in preventing fading and damage to furniture, carpets and fabrics. Laminated glass is also more capable when it comes to soundproofing due to its multiple layers held together by an interlayer material. This allows for greater sound insulation than what you would get from standard float glass or even toughened glass.
Toughened glass has its own benefits too, such as increased strength that makes it more resistant than standard float or annealed glass against shock, vibration or thermal stress. It also has a higher impact resistance which means that it can take bigger blows with less chance of breaking or shattering into pieces. This type of glass is also easier and faster to install compared to laminated glass since all that is required is a heat treatment process.