Differences & Similarities Between Laminated and Tempered Glass

When designing your home’s interior, it is essential to understand the difference between tempered and laminated glass. In this article, we’ll discuss those differences so you can develop practical design solutions and make cost-effective choices for your space.

What is Laminated Glass?

This type of glass is created by combining two pieces of tempered or non-tempered glass which are sandwiched by a PVG, SGP, or EVA interlayer. This helps the glass achieve higher strength and soundproofing functions.

What is Tempered Glass?

This type of glass involves heating annealed glass to over 600 degrees and quickly cooling it down in a tempering furnace. This process allows the tempered glass to become 5 times stronger than annealed glass before tempering.

How Does Tempered Differ from Laminated Glass?

Here are some other differences & similarities between laminated and tempered glass:

• Laminated glass provides the same safety and security as tempered glass but also reduces noise by 10 decibels, is UV resistant, and is energy efficient.
• Laminated glass is more flexible than tempered glass and, if the laminated layers are damaged, they must be completely replaced.
• Laminated glass costs slightly more to replace than tempered glass.
• Laminated glass can resist higher temperatures, which is why it’s commonly used for fireplaces and oven doors.
• Laminated glass is safer from burglaries because its layers create a strong barrier and is difficult to separate without specialized tools. It also offers better protection against severe weather and natural disasters.
• Laminated glass is more difficult to break. However, the glass shatters into small pieces and is less sharp than tempered glass when it does.
• Both types of glass look very similar, and it is often difficult to tell them apart. However, the smooth edges of tempered glass can be easily identified, while laminated glass has rounded edges.

What Kind of Glass Should I Use?

One of the main reasons for using tempered or laminated glass is safety. These protective glasses prevent injuries and accidents that may have otherwise occurred with standard glass. Although both types of glass have benefits and look similar, laminated glass has a few advantages over standard or tempered glass. For example, if a child accidentally falls against a window and breaks it, the type of glass can make all the difference in the child’s safety. Standard glass may cause severe harm to the child because it shatters into many sharp shards. However, if the window was made of laminated glass, any injuries would be less severe due to the glass breaking into small pieces instead of numerous jagged shards.

When making the decision between different types of glass, you may also consider other factors. For example, while tempered glass provides the most strength and breakage resistance, laminated glass offers UV resistance, extra security, and soundproofing. In addition, both types of glass are easy to clean and maintain as long as they are installed properly.

If you’re looking for high-quality safety glass, Michael’s Glass offers a great selection of products that will fit perfectly for your needs. When choosing between tempered glass or laminated glass, keep in mind that glass is a versatile material and is used for many different products. The makeup and composition of glass will determine its function and properties. Call us today if you have any questions or would like to request a free estimate.