Laminated safety glass (LSG) – find manufacturers and suppliers

Laminated safety glass (LSG) consists of two or more panes of flat glass that are firmly bonded together with one or more elastic, tear-resistant plastic films (usually PVB - polyvinyl butyral).

The glass is permanently "bonded" together under heat and pressure in a so-called autoclave.

Below you will find an overview of how laminated safety glass (LSG) works as well as an overview of how it is used, its advantages and important information to bear in mind when using it:

How laminated safety glass (LSG) works:

1. Safety effect:
   When broken, the glass shatters, but the fragments adhere to the interlayer and usually remain in place.
   This means that no dangerous splinters are produced.
   The risk of injury is greatly reduced.
   Breakthrough resistance is (partially) retained.
2. Burglar resistance:
   Depending on the structure, laminated safety glass can increase burglar resistance, as it is significantly more difficult to penetrate than normal glass.
   The plastic film slows down or prevents rapid penetration.
3. Sound insulation:
   VSG also has a sound-insulating effect, as the PVB film dampens vibrations.
   Special acoustic films reinforce this effect.
4. UV protection:
   The interlayer filters out a large proportion of UV radiation.
   This is particularly important when used in museums, shop windows or conservatories.
5. Special functions with films:
   Colored or matt design through appropriate film embedding.
   Switchability (smart glass).
   Sun protection, fire protection or privacy protection.

Use of laminated safety glass (VSG):

LSG is a universally applicable safety glass - wherever people need to be protected or values secured:

1. Building and façade glazing:
overhead glazing e.g. glass roofs, canopies, skylight domes.
Floor glazing, e.g. walk-on glass, steps.
Glass balustrades and railings.
Facades and windows with increased safety requirements.
Conservatories and glass extensions.

2. Interior design:
Partition walls, especially in public buildings.
Shower partitions that must be splinter-resistant.
Glass floors or glass stairs.
Glass doors**, e.g. with satinized or printed films.

3. Burglary and penetration protection:
Shop windows, especially of banks and jewelers.
Door glazing in schools, hospitals or public authorities.
Protection against vandalism in public spaces.

4. Vehicle and traffic engineering:
Front and rear windows in cars often in combination with toughened safety glass.
Train, bus and aircraft glazing.

5. Special applications:
Soundproof glazing with special acoustic films.
Art or design installations with colored or light-directing films.
Panic rooms or security rooms with multi-laminated laminated safety glass panes.
Fire-resistant glass in combination with other layers.

Advantages of laminated safety glass (VSG):

• High level of safety in the event of glass breakage as there is no shatter bond.
• Burglar-resistant and puncture-resistant.
• Protection against environmental influences because sound-insulating, UV protection.
• Can be combined in many ways, e.g. with toughened safety glass, insulating glass and design films.

Important information on the use of laminated safety glass (LSG):

• Always observe building regulations, e.g. in Germany DIN EN 14449, DIN 18008
• LSG is mandatory for applications with a risk of falling, e.g. railings, roofs.
• Weather-resistant film must be used for outdoor applications, e.g. ionoplastic or special PVB films.
• Edge sealing protects against moisture ingress.
• LSG is heavier than toughened glass - therefore take the statics into account!

Laminated safety glass (LSG) offers a high level of safety thanks to its shatter-binding effect and high resistance, without compromising on transparency or design freedom. It is indispensable for applications involving personal or property protection and is therefore widely used in construction, interior design and security-relevant areas.

Below is an overview of the most important points that should be considered when purchasing laminated safety glass (LSG):

Purchasing laminated safety glass (LSG) requires precise coordination between safety requirements, technical specifications and building regulations.

• Before purchasing, it is crucial to know the specific intended use and therefore the required properties:
• Will the glass be used as fall protection, overhead glazing, balustrades, partitions or protective glazing?
• Are there special requirements such as burglar resistance, sound insulation, UV protection or fire protection?
• Does the glass have to be visually appealing, e.g. frosted, colored or particularly functional, e.g. accessible, switchable?
• The more precisely the application conditions are defined, the more accurately the laminated safety glass can be specified and ordered.
• Laminated safety glass can have different structures. Important decisions concern:
• The number and type of glass panes, e.g. float glass or toughened safety glass (ESG).
• The glass thickness - depends on the mechanical load, the size and the safety requirements.
• The type of interlayer - standard PVB, acoustic film, colored film, UV-resistant film, etc.
• These parameters have a direct impact on the level of safety, weight, sound insulation, price and aesthetics.
• When purchasing laminated safety glass (LSG), the applicable technical standards and building regulations must be complied with.
• DIN EN 14449 (laminated safety glass (VSG)).
• DIN 18008 (regulation for glass in construction, e.g. overhead glazing).
• If applicable, additional standards for burglary protection, sound insulation or fire protection.
• General building authority approvals (abZ) or certificates for special glazing.
• Always obtain technical data sheets and test certificates from the supplier.
• Particular attention should be paid to the quality of workmanship:
• The edges must be cleanly finished, especially for visible or mechanically stressed applications.
• The film must be laminated without air bubbles - inclusions, delamination or clouding reduce safety and appearance.
• For outdoor areas, weather and UV-resistant films, e.g. ionoplastic interlayers such as SentryGlas, should be used.
• A high-quality film selection extends the service life and ensures a permanently clear appearance.
• LSG is heavy and sensitive - reliable and professional transportation is therefore crucial.
• Ensure secure packaging and transport protection.
• Transport damage can be expensive and time-consuming - so it pays to use an experienced provider.
• Pay attention to delivery times, especially for special sizes or colored/printed films.
• An experienced glass supplier is more than just a shipper - they should be able to give you technical advice:
• Supply chain traceability, sustainability and product origin also play a growing role in many projects.
• LSG is more expensive than single glazing - but it is also safer and more durable.
• A good supplier helps to make technically sensible and economically justifiable decisions - without compromising on safety.

When purchasing laminated safety glass (LSG), you should pay attention to the correct selection of glass types, films and compliance with safety standards and building regulations. In addition, quality, processing, delivery times and the service provided by the supplier are decisive for a safe and economical solution in the long term.

Laminated safety glass (LSG) can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Laminated safety glass (LSG) from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.