What’s the Difference Between Tempered and Laminated Glass?

When upgrading your windows, shower doors, or storefronts, you’ll likely come across two popular types of safety glass: tempered and laminated. While the designs of both options protect people and property, they offer different strengths depending on their uses.

Columbia Glass & Mirror is mid-Missouri’s leading glass company and shares the following information related to deciding between laminated glass vs tempered glass, as well as what sets them apart.

What Makes Safety Glass Safer Than Standard Glass?

The advanced engineering of safety glass minimizes the risk of injury when it breaks. Unlike regular glass that easily forms sharp, dangerous shards, tempered and laminated glass either stay intact or break in a much less harmful way.

Both types utilize modern safety glazing technology to meet building codes for protecting people in the event of accidental breakage, but how they achieve that safety is very different.

Why Is Laminated Glass Strong and Secure?

The laminated glass manufacturing process bonds two or more layers of glass with plastic interlayers, typically made from modern materials like polyvinyl butyral (PVB). When the glass breaks, the inner plastic layer holds the fragments together.

Here’s why property owners often choose laminated glass for storefronts, skylights, and high-security areas:

• Shatter resistance: Because the inner layer remains intact, there’s a far lower risk of flying shards. 
• Impact resistance: Even broken laminated glass is hard to punch through, thus providing an extra layer of security.
• Sound insulation: The inner layer also reduces noise, making it an ideal option for buildings located near highways or in loud environments.
• UV protection: Laminated glass can block most ultraviolet rays, helping protect furniture, flooring, and artwork from fading.
• Moderate thermal stress tolerance: When considering laminated glass vs. tempered glass, understand that laminates can handle normal temperature changes but aren’t ideal for consistently high-heat areas.

What Makes Tempered Glass So Strong?

Manufacturers create tempered glass by heating a single sheet of glass to extreme temperatures and then cooling it rapidly. This engineering process strengthens the glass surface and gives the inner layer superior built-in thermal stress resistance.

Here’s what makes tempered glass stand out:

• Shatter resistance: Panels break into small, dull fragments that are far less dangerous than jagged shards of standard glass.
• Impact resistance: The material is very strong under pressure, though it completely shatters after hitting its stress limit.
• High thermal stress resistance: The material is excellent for places exposed to heat, like oven doors or exterior windows.
• Cost-effective: Tempered glass is generally less expensive than laminated glass.

Tempered glass is commonly found in shower doors, fireplaces, patio furniture and doors, and kitchen appliances.

Laminated Glass vs. Tempered Glass 

High-quality glass materials cater to a wide range of needs. Take your most important priorities into consideration when evaluating materials for your property.

Laminated glass offers excellent impact resistance, UV light protection, and sound insulation. 

Choose tempered glass if you need a lower-cost safety glazing option that’s strong and break-resistant as part of indoor features like tables and showers. 

For high-security or architectural installations, a glass company may offer a hybrid of the two types, combining thermal strength with enhanced shatter protection.

Let Columbia Glass & Mirror Help You Choose the Right Safety Glass

Choosing the right type of safety glass doesn’t have to be difficult, especially with the help of experienced professionals. Whether you’re considering window replacement, upgrading your storefront, or planning a home remodel, Columbia Glass & Mirror will help you evaluate the best options when deciding between laminated glass and tempered glass.

We bring decades of trusted local glass expertise in mid-Missouri to every project. Contact us today at (573) 943-0630 to get started on a solution tailored to your needs. 

FAQs

Still have questions about safety glass options? Here are fast answers to some of the most common and practical questions property owners ask.

Which Type of Glass Provides Better Protection During Severe Weather?

Laminated glass offers superior protection during storms or tornadoes because it stays largely intact even after direct impacts. That helps prevent water intrusion and flying debris from entering interior spaces. 

Are Laminated and Tempered Glass Types Available in Decorative Styles?

Absolutely. You can select both laminated and tempered glass customized with tints, patterns, frosted finishes, or even embedded materials to match your design needs without compromising safety or performance.

When It Comes To Laminated Glass vs. Tempered Glass, Is One Type More Energy Efficient Than the Other?

Laminated glass generally offers better energy efficiency because the interlayer helps reduce solar heat gain. It’s often used in energy-conscious window systems for added insulation.