How High Security Glass Is Different From Laminated Glass
If you own a luxury home or manage a commercial building with expansive glass facades, ask yourself: Is it truly safe during a break-in attempt?
In a world where security threats are growing, selecting the right security glass is no longer optional—it’s essential. While laminated glass offers basic impact protection, it is only certified high security glass that delivers robust resistance to forced entry, ballistics, and blasts. Vetrotech leads the way with certified, high security glass solutions tailored for demanding environments.
What is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass is composed of two or more layers of glass bonded together with one or more plastic interlayers, typically polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This construction ensures that if the laminated glass breaks, the fragments adhere to the interlayer, reducing the risk of injury, while increasing the impact strength.
How Laminated Glass Works
The glass is bonded to the interlayer and absorbs impact energy, preventing the laminated glass from shattering outside. This makes laminated glass effective in reducing injuries during accidents or minor break-ins.
Common Uses of Laminated Glass
- Residential windows in low-risk areas
- Storefronts
- Skylights and glass balconies
- Apartments where acoustic comfort is required
- Glass balustrades and other areas of high windload
What is High Security Glass?
High security glass is engineered, tested and certified to withstand significant force, including manual attacks, ballistic impacts, and explosive blasts. It often incorporates multiple layers of laminated glass, polycarbonate, or other impact-resistant materials.
How High Security Glass is Made
Constructed using several layers of laminated glass and interlayers, high security glass is designed to resist penetration and delay forced entry. The specific composition varies based on the required level of protection.
What Sets High Security Glass Apart
To be classified as high security, glass must prove its strength through rigorous testing based on international benchmarks. Here’s a breakdown:
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.
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.
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
- Banks and Data centres
- Jewellery stores
- Detention centres
- Embassies and government offices
- Security guard rooms
- Hospitals and emergency rooms
- Airports, metros, and public transport terminals
- Luxury villas, VIP residences or celebrity homes
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
When selecting high security glass, consider the following:
- Identity the requirement from the Architect/Contractor
- Always ask for certification report from suppliers.
- Ensure the framing system supplied is tested and certified for same threat level as glass.
- Check for multi-threat features (bullet + blast + fire) in critical areas.
- Ensure the manufacturing facilities are under valid audit scheme for producing such high security products.
Benefits of Vetrotech’s High Security Glass
Vetrotech offers a range of high security glass solutions that are tested and certified to meet various threat levels. Their products are custom-made to match your building’s design without compromising safety and can combine multiple features such as fire resistance and thermal insulation.
Safety Starts with High Security Glass
Choosing between laminated glass and high security glass depends on your property's location, usage, and potential threats. For sensitive or high-risk zones, high security glass offers superior protection. Vetrotech provides certified high security glass solutions that blend safety with design.
Want to protect your property with certified, elegant security glass solutions? Explore Vetrotech’s high security glass offerings today.
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.
