What is Safety Glass?

There are two types of safety glass: laminated and toughened. Both offer different safety features which suit them for particular areas.

Toughened safety glass is glass that has been heat processed, making it up to five times as strong as ordinary glass of the same thickness. Because it is so strong, it will withstand without breaking, severe blows such as those caused by a person walking or falling against it. Should it break, it shatters into small granules which, because they have blunt edges, are harmless.

Toughened glass cannot be cut after it has been processed since that would destablise the stresses placed in the glass which makes it tough. Therefore toughened glass has to be custom made for each purpose.

Toughened glass is recommended for patio and internal glass doors, floor to ceiling windows, conservatory and spa pool enclosures.

Laminated safety glass consists of two sheets of ordinary glass permanently bonded together by a sheet of special transparent plastic. Although not as strong as toughened glass, it is a safety glass because if broken the plastic holds the glass in place after breakage, as well as preventing people falling through.

Laminated glass can be cut to size after manufacture making it readily available from all glass merchants.

Laminated safety glass is recommended for the lower panel of multi-panel doors and windows, as overhead glazing for interior and exterior glass structures and as a security glass and where glass protects a difference in level.