Both tempered and laminated glass are considered safety glass, yet they are made differently and serve different purposes. Choosing the right one affects safety, security, code compliance and cost.
Tempered glass
Tempered glass is heated and rapidly cooled, which makes it roughly four times stronger than annealed glass of the same thickness. When it breaks, it shatters into small, relatively blunt pieces.
- Best for: storefront doors, entrance lites, glass partitions, shower and locker rooms, many window locations.
- Pros: strong, cost-effective, widely available.
- Cons: once broken, the whole lite falls out, leaving an open hole; it cannot be cut after tempering.
Laminated glass
Laminated glass bonds two or more layers of glass with a plastic interlayer (PVB or SGP). When broken, the fragments stay attached to the interlayer.
- Best for: skylights and overhead glazing, glass railings and guards, security storefronts, schools, hurricane or blast resistance, sound control.
- Pros: stays in place when broken, slows down intruders, blocks most UV, reduces noise.
- Cons: higher cost and weight.
Can you combine them?
Yes. Many railings and skylights use laminated tempered glass, which combines strength with post-breakage retention. Insulated glass units can also include a laminated pane on the inside for security.
What does the code require?
Building codes define “hazardous locations” where safety glass is mandatory: doors, glass near doors, large lites close to the floor, railings and overhead glazing. Overhead glazing generally requires laminated glass. Your glazing contractor confirms the right product for each opening.
Our recommendation
Use tempered glass for most doors and interior partitions, laminated or laminated-tempered for anything overhead, guards and railings, and laminated wherever security matters. Need advice for a specific project? Our team can review your drawings.
Need help with your commercial glass?
CBE Glass serves businesses, property managers and general contractors across Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Call (202) 492-0676 (24/7 for emergencies), email bid@cbeglass.com or request a free estimate.
