How High Security Glass Is Different From Laminated Glass
If you own a luxury residence or manage a commercial building with expansive glass façades, ask yourself: Is your glazing truly secure during a forced entry attempt or deliberate attack?
As modern threats continue to evolve, choosing the right type of security glazing is no longer optional, it is essential. While laminated glass provides a basic level of impact resistance, only certified high security glass is engineered to withstand severe threats such as forced intrusion, ballistic impact, and explosive pressure. Vetrotech leads the industry with rigorously tested and certified security glazing solutions designed for high-risk and sensitive environments.
What Is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass is manufactured by bonding two or more layers of glass with one or more plastic interlayers, typically polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This layered structure ensures that when the glass breaks, the fragments remain adhered to the interlayer. This significantly reduces the risk of injury and improves impact absorption.
How Laminated Glass Works
When subjected to impact, the glass layers may crack, but the interlayer holds the fragments together. This prevents dangerous shattering and helps absorb some of the impact energy. As a result, laminated glass is useful for minimizing injuries caused by accidental impacts or low-level intrusion attempts.
Common Uses of Laminated Glass
Laminated glass is commonly used in areas where safety and acoustic comfort are important, but the threat level is relatively low:
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Residential windows in low-risk areas
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Storefronts
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Skylights and glass balconies
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Apartments requiring enhanced sound insulation
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Glass balustrades and areas exposed to high wind loads
What Is High Security Glass?
High security glass is specifically engineered, tested, and certified to resist extreme forces such as manual attacks, ballistic threats, and explosive shockwaves. Unlike standard laminated glass, it incorporates multiple layers of reinforced materials such as laminated glass, polycarbonate, and other advanced composites to provide multi-level protection.
How High Security Glass Is Made
This type of glazing is constructed using several layers of laminated glass and specialized interlayers, sometimes combined with polycarbonate sheets. Each layer plays a specific role, absorbing energy, preventing penetration, and maintaining structural integrity. The final composition varies depending on whether the requirement is for bullet resistant glass, blast resistant glass, or multi-threat protection.
What Sets High Security Glass Apart
For glazing to be classified as high security, it must undergo rigorous testing against international performance benchmarks. These tests validate how the glass performs under real-world attack scenarios.
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Attack Resistance – EN 356 (Classes P6B to P8B):
This standard describes the testing method of how well the glass can resist attacks from blunt or sharp tools. The classes (P6B to P8B) indicate the degree of protection against manual attack and intrusion. The higher the number, the stronger the resistance.
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Bullet Resistance – EN 1063 (Classes BR1 to BR7 and SG1 to SG2):
This rating tests whether the glass can stop bullets from firearms like pistols, rifles, or shotguns.
BR classes are for bullets from handguns and rifles.
SG classes are for shotgun rounds.
The (S) and (NS) tags mean “with splintering” or “non-splintering” – non-splintering variants resists glass fragments and debris from the bullet on the rear side, adding another level of safety.
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Blast Resistance – EN 13541 (Classes ER1 to ER4):
This rating tests how well the glass holds up against shockwave during explosions. The classes represent different levels of explosive pressure. Whether it’s an accidental gas blast or a deliberate attack, this rating tells you how effectively the glass stays intact.
These certifications ensure that high security glass isn’t just tough, it’s been proven to perform when it matters most.
Where You’ll See High Security Glass
Because of its advanced protective capabilities, security glazing is used in environments where failure is not an option:
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Banks and data centres
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Jewellery showrooms
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Detention facilities
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Embassies and government buildings
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Security cabins and control rooms
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Hospitals and emergency departments
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Airports, metro stations, and transport terminals
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Luxury villas, celebrity homes, and VIP residences
Comparing Laminated Glass and High Security Glass
|
Feature |
Laminated Glass |
High Security Glass |
|
Strength & Impact Resistance |
Resistant to human hit impacts; can be broken with sustained tool use |
Designed to withstand repeated, forceful attacks with tools or weapons; resists penetration |
|
Breakage Behaviour |
Cracks on impact, but remains in place due to the interlayer |
Multiple layers prevent breakthrough; minimal visible damage even under force |
|
Ballistic Protection |
Not bullet-resistant |
Certified ballistic variants (EN 1063) available; can stop handgun, rifle, and shotgun fire |
|
Blast Resistance |
Can still shatter dangerously |
Certified to EN 13541; absorbs blast energy while containing fragments and supporting structure |
|
Soundproofing |
Offers acoustic insulation due to its layered construction |
Superior soundproofing due to thickness and density; excellent for high-noise or VIP environments |
|
Weight |
Relatively lightweight |
Heavier due to multiple layers and reinforcements; may require stronger structural support |
|
Aesthetic Flexibility |
Available in clear, tinted, or decorative options; easy to design around |
Also customisable, but framing and structural considerations are more complex due to weight |
|
Certifications & Testing |
Not always be tested or certified |
Bullet and blast are considered as life safety applications and hence strictly tested and certified to international safety standards (EN 356, EN 1063, EN 13541) |
How to Choose the Right High Security Glass
Selecting the right high security glass involves more than just thickness. Consider the following:
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Identify the threat level specified by the architect or security consultant
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Always request official certification reports from suppliers
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Ensure the framing is tested for the same threat level as the glass
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Look for multi-threat protection (ballistic + blast + impact) where required
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Confirm that the manufacturing facility is audited and qualified for producing security glazing
Safety Starts with High Security Glass
Choosing between laminated glass and high security glass depends on your location, asset value, and exposure to potential threats. For sensitive or high-risk environments, certified security glazing delivers unmatched protection.
Vetrotech provides tested, elegant, and performance-driven solutions that balance safety with architectural freedom.
Is laminated glass the same as security glass?
No. While laminated glass offers basic protection features like human impact, high security glass provides tested and certified protection against specific threats such as forced entry, bullets, and blasts.
Can high security glass look normal?
Yes. Vetrotech’s high security glass can be manufactured to appear like standard glazing, ensuring that security glass does not compromise aesthetics.
Do I need high security glass for my house?
If you reside in a high-risk area, own valuable assets, or desire maximum peace of mind, investing in high security glass is advisable.
