Compare: Laminated vs toughened glass for safety & security needs

With over 20 years of experience as a glazier advising on suitable glass selection for enhanced safety and security in Melbourne residential and commercial buildings, clients often ask which advanced option is preferable – laminated or toughened glass?

While both technologically strengthened glass variants markedly outperform standard float glass, they each offer varying merits worth examining when making evaluations aligned to use case priorities.

In this guide I’ll compare the properties and typical applications between laminated and toughened security glazing.

Laminated glass overview

Laminated glass features an internal layer bonding associated panels together under heat and pressure, retaining shards upon shattering to avoid dangerous shards. This extra durability layer also provides sound dampening properties while enabling larger sizing. Special polymer options can further increase attack resistance.

Toughened glass overview

Toughened glass is heat-treated to introduce internal material compressions boosting impact and thermal tolerance considerably. Fracturing results in cube-shaped blunt pieces rather than long sharp shards, lowering injury risks. However manufacturing size constraints apply.

Key comparison metrics

Criteria  Laminated  Toughened
Security Rating High  Moderate
Safety Upon Breaking High Moderate
Attack Resistance Very High Moderate
Sound Insulation Excellent Poor 
Shock Thermal Range Moderate  Very High
Uv Light Protection Low High

Suitable applications

Laminated glass is frequently preferred in:

  • Security screens
  • Balustrade infills
  • Building facades
  • Skylights and roof glazing
  • Vehicle windscreens

While tempered toughened finds regular use in:

  • Door side panels
  • Partition walls
  • Splashbacks
  • Pool fences
  • Gym equipment guards

Get tailored glazing recommendations from accredited specialists that balance robustness, longevity, optics and cost-effectiveness for safety-driven glass needs across institutional, commercial and residential settings.

Glass grading to align with security standards

External windows and doors should match minimum intruder resistance classifications like Australian Standard AS/NZS 1170.1 grading before specifying suitable glass types. For example, Class 2 minimum compliance calls for Grade B glass with some laminate protections. Under Class 4 expectations for vulnerable facilities, multi-laminated assemblies are recommended combining polycarbonate.

Specifying glazing for bushfire bunkers and shelters

For community shelters and household bunkers built purposely to shield people during bushfire emergencies, specialised pyrolytic hybrid glass combining laminated shields around a silica aerogel core optimises thermal screens blocking radiant heat efficiently when directly exposed to ~1200°C conditions for prolonged periods. This protects occupants while monitoring fire fronts.

Conclusion

While laminated and toughened glass both upgrade risks posed by standard glazing, tailoring specifications to application security and safety priorities determines optimal selections. Blending protective strengths of both materials is also valid for high traffic facilities predisposed to damage – such as large commercial complex entrances facing public spaces wanting toughened durability and laminated crack resistance. Partner experienced glaziers to rate locations accurately and quantify key risks.

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