Laminated glass is often preferred over toughened (tempered) glass for doors due to several key factors that primarily revolve around safety, security, and protection. Here’s why:
1. Safety After Breakage:
- Laminated Glass: If laminated glass breaks, the plastic interlayer holds the shattered pieces together. This ensures that the glass remains largely intact within the frame, reducing the risk of injury from loose shards.
- Toughened Glass: While toughened glass is designed to break into small, granular pieces that are less likely to cause injury, the entire pane typically disintegrates upon impact, potentially leaving an open space.
2. Security Concerns:
- Laminated Glass: The interlayer in laminated glass makes it more difficult for intruders to break through, even when the glass is cracked. The glass tends to stay in its frame, providing an added layer of security.
- Toughened Glass: Once broken, toughened glass offers no resistance to entry, leaving the premises exposed.
3. Protection from Elements:
- Laminated Glass: Even when broken, laminated glass can still provide some level of protection against weather elements, such as rain, wind, or debris.
- Toughened Glass: A broken toughened glass door would expose the interior to external elements immediately.
4. Noise Reduction:
- Laminated Glass: The interlayer in laminated glass can provide additional acoustic insulation, helping to reduce external noise.
- Toughened Glass: Toughened glass does not have this additional layer and may not provide the same level of noise reduction.
5. UV Protection:
- Laminated Glass: The interlayer can block up to 99% of UV rays, protecting the interior furnishings from fading.
- Toughened Glass: Does not provide this level of UV protection.
Conclusion:
While both laminated and toughened glass are safety glasses, the preference for laminated glass in doors is largely due to its capacity to maintain integrity even after breakage. This feature minimizes safety risks, enhances security, and ensures that the interior remains protected from external elements.