Toughened Glass vs Laminated Glass, What’s the Difference and Which Is More Secure?

When it comes to choosing the right glass for your doors and windows, you have an important decision to make as it will impact the security of your home. As this is one of the most common questions we get from our customers across Bristol, we thought we’d put together this helpful guide about the differences between toughened and laminated glass.

What is the difference between toughened and laminated glass?

Both toughened and laminated glass are classed as safety glass and meet UK building regulations. The key difference lies in how they behave when broken and how well they protect your home.

• Toughened glass is designed to break safely.

• Laminated glass is designed to stay in place and resist entry.

That difference can have a big impact on security.

What is toughened (tempered) glass?

Toughened glass is heat-treated during manufacture, making it around four to five times stronger than standard glass.

If it breaks, it shatters into lots of small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards. This reduces the risk of injury, which is why it’s widely used in doors and low-level glazing.

The downside

Once toughened glass is broken, the whole pane falls away. In practical terms, this means the glass can be “popped”, leaving a clear opening that someone could step through.

“We see it all the time. Toughened glass does exactly what it’s meant to do, but once it goes, there’s nothing left in the frame.”

The ZEN Windows and Conservatories Team

What is laminated glass?

Laminated glass is made from two panes of glass bonded together with a tough plastic interlayer, usually PVB. When it breaks, the glass cracks but stays stuck to the interlayer, holding the pane in place.

Why this matters

Even after repeated impacts, laminated glass is very difficult to get through. It may crack, but it doesn’t collapse, making forced entry far harder.

Why we strongly recommend laminated glass for security

If security is important to you, laminated glass is in a completely different league.

Toughened safety glass is often the standard choice, but it is vulnerable to a single strong impact. Once shattered, access is immediate.

Laminated glass, on the other hand:

• Resists repeated blows

• Stays in the frame even when broken

• Slows down or deters intruders altogether

It does cost more than toughened glass, but for doors and vulnerable areas, it’s a worthwhile investment in your home’s safety.

“If someone wants to get through toughened glass, it can be over in seconds. Laminated glass turns that into noise, time, and effort, which most intruders don’t want.”

The ZEN Windows and Conservatories Team

How can you tell what glass you already have?

The easiest way is to look for the kitemark code etched into the glass, usually in a corner of the pane. This marking tells you exactly what type of safety glass is installed.

Look for these codes:

• Laminated glass: BS EN 14449

• Toughened glass: BS EN 12150

If you can’t find a marking, or it’s unclear, we’re always happy to check this for you as part of our advice.

What are the benefits of each type of glass?

Benefits of toughened glass

• More affordable

• Meets safety regulations

• Breaks into small, safer pieces

• Suitable for low-risk areas

Benefits of laminated glass

• Far superior security

• Stays in place when broken

• Better protection against forced entry

• Added sound reduction

• Extra peace of mind, especially for doors

Our honest advice

Choosing between toughened and laminated glass is a common question we get from homeowners across Bristol.

There’s nothing wrong with toughened glass and it’s the most common type of glass used in most doors. But if you’re concerned about safety and want the best level of security, laminated glass is the option we would recommend.

Doors are one of the most common entry points for break-ins. While toughened glass meets the rules, laminated glass goes further by actively protecting your home.

If you’d like some friendly, straightforward advice on your glass choices, we’re here to help, from beginning to ZEN. Give us a call on 0117 321 5540 or book a no-obligation home visit on our website.