Safety glass – find manufacturers and suppliers

Safety glass is specially treated or textured glass that has been developed to increase resistance to break-ins or to minimize the risk of injury or damage.

Unlike conventional glass, which shatters into sharp, dangerous pieces when broken, safety glass is designed to either shatter or remain stable when broken to prevent break-ins or serious injury.

Below you will find an overview of the types and how they work, as well as an overview of the use of safety glass and its benefits:

Types of safety glass and how it works:

1. Tempered glass (ESG):
   Manufacture: toughened glass is produced by heating it to around 700 °C and then cooling it quickly (quenching).
   Properties: It is up to five times stronger than normal glass and breaks into small, fuzzy pieces when subjected to a strong impact.
   Uses: Commonly used in car windows, shower doors, smartphones and glass panes in furniture.
2. Laminated glass (VSG):
   Manufacture: laminated glass consists of two or more panes of glass joined by an intermediate plastic film, e.g. PVB or EVA.
   Properties: If the glass breaks, the fragments stick to the film, reducing the risk of injury. Laminated glass also offers lower sound transmission and UV protection as well as increased burglary protection.
   Uses: In vehicle windscreens, security windows, canopies and windows in high-rise buildings.
3. Laminated glass (also known as safety glass):
   Manufacture: Similar to laminated glass, with materials processed in multiple layers to provide additional strength.
   Properties: Provides increased protection and burglar resistance as the layers make the glass harder to break through.
   Uses: Particularly suitable for windows in banks, stores and airports or as protective glass in security applications.
4. Wired glass:
   Manufacture: wired glass is reinforced with a wire mesh that is built into the glass.
   Properties: In the event of breakage, the wire mesh keeps the glass in shape, reducing the risk of injury.
   Uses: Often used as light transmission in fire walls or in fire-resistant windows.

Use of safety glass:

Safety glass is used in many areas to increase the safety of people and minimize damage to property.

1. Vehicle industry:
Windshields: Laminated glass is used in vehicle windshields because it does not shatter in a crash and protects vehicle occupants.
Side and rear windows: Often made of toughened glass that breaks into smaller, less dangerous pieces in the event of an accident.

2. Construction industry:
Windows and doors: Safety glass is often used for façade glazing, shop windows and roof glazing, especially in areas with a high risk of burglary or as storm protection.
Fire protection: Wired glass and laminated glass offer protection against fire and are used in fire-resistant glazing.
Tempered glass: Tempered glass floors, balustrades and glass roofs can be found in modern buildings.

3. Household and furniture:
Shower doors: Tempered glass is used in shower enclosures and walls because of its shatter resistance.
Furniture: Safety glass can be found in tables, shelves and display cabinets.
Hobs: Tempered glass is used in modern induction hobs to withstand high temperatures and ensure safety.

4. Electronics:
Smartphones, tablets and televisions: tempered glass protects screens and ensures that they do not shatter into sharp pieces in the event of a drop or fall.

5. Security and protection applications:
Banks, museums and jewelry stores: laminated glass and laminated glass panels are used to make break-ins more difficult and to protect valuables.
Access control and surveillance systems: Safety glass is also used in protective walls or as bulletproof glass.

Advantages of safety glass:

• Many types of safety glass are much more robust than conventional glass and offer improved impact resistance.
• Safety glass reduces the risk of injury as it does not form sharp edges in the event of breakage.
• Increased security: Laminated glass in particular offers protection against break-ins and vandalism.
• Wired glass and other safety glasses offer protection against fire and high temperatures.
• Sound insulation: Some safety glass, such as laminated glass, also offers sound insulation and reduces noise transmission.

Below is an overview of the most important points to consider when buying security glass:

Purchasing safety glass requires a thorough analysis of safety requirements, technical specifications and legal requirements. Only if the glass type, dimensions, function and certification are precisely matched can a safe, standard-compliant and economically viable result be achieved.

• The most important first step is to precisely define the area of application. The right safety glass can only be selected with a clear requirements profile:
• Is the glass needed for personal protection, burglar resistance, sound insulation, fire protection or UV protection?
• Will it be used in an interior application, e.g. furniture, shower wall or exterior application, e.g. facade, window, overhead glazing?
• Does the glass have to assume load-bearing functions or just serve as a protective layer?
• The right safety glass can only be selected with a clear requirements profile.
• Different types of safety glass are required depending on the area of application. The choice depends heavily on the desired safety, protection and design requirements:
• Tempered glass (ESG) for impact resistance and breakage resistance, ideal for furniture, doors, partition walls.
• Laminated safety glass (LSG) for burglar resistance, overhead glazing and windows with personal protection.
• Wired glass or fire-resistant glass for special fire protection requirements.
• Armored glass or multi-layer laminated glass for high-security applications, e.g. banks, security zones.
• When purchasing, attention should be paid to compliance with all applicable building regulations and safety standards. These certificates are often also required by law, especially in public or commercial buildings:
• DIN EN 12150 for toughened safety glass (ESG)
• DIN EN 14449 / 12543 for laminated safety glass (VSG)
• DIN EN 356 for impact, break-through or bullet-resistant glass
• DIN EN 13501 for fire protection classes
• Test certificates, static certificates or general building authority approvals and - if relevant: CE marking.
• Safety glass can generally no longer be cut or drilled after manufacture - therefore:
• Dimensions and cut-outs must be precisely defined before ordering.
• Drill holes, edge processing, bevels or satin finishes must also be specified in advance.
• Reworking is impossible, especially with toughened safety glass, as it is stress-free but unchangeable after heat treatment.
• Safety glass can be equipped with additional functions. Such extras improve comfort, energy efficiency and functionality - but must be planned in advance:
• UV protection to protect interiors or exhibits.
• Sound insulation through special interlayers in laminated glass.
• Thermal insulation through low-E coatings or insulating glass structures.
• Self-cleaning or anti-fogging coatings.
• Privacy protection through satinizing, foils or structuring.
• When purchasing, reliable delivery is just as important as the product itself:
• What are the delivery times, especially for special dimensions?
• Is there packaging and transport protection to prevent damage?
• Is installation assistance or a contact person available for technical questions?
• This is particularly important for construction projects with tight schedules.
• Safety glass is more expensive than simple glass - so the overall economic view is what counts:
• What service life can be expected?
• How high is the savings potential through additional functions (e.g. thermal insulation)?
• Can higher investment costs be justified by lower risks and greater operational safety?

If you plan early, tender properly and work with experienced manufacturers, you can ensure that the safety glass provides optimum protection - functionally, visually and in the long term.