Learn how impact resistant glass works, why laminated construction matters, and how certified security glazing helps protect buildings from impact and attack.
Impact resistant glass works by absorbing and distributing impact energy across a specialist laminated glass construction.
Instead of breaking apart like standard glass, impact resistant glass is designed to crack but remain bonded together, helping the panel stay in place and continue acting as a barrier.
This makes it much more difficult for an attacker, thrown object or heavy impact to create an immediate opening through the glazing.
Impact resistant glass is often used as part of a wider security strategy in commercial buildings, retail environments, secure institutions and high-value facilities.
As experienced security glass manufacturers in the UK, Tecdur designs and manufactures Tecdur Secure Glass —
a high-performance laminated glass range engineered to withstand severe levels of manual attack and certified to recognised standards including EN 356 and LPS 1270.
The Role of Laminated Glass Construction
Most impact resistant glass is manufactured using a laminated construction.
This means two or more layers of glass are bonded together with specialist interlayers.
These interlayers are crucial because they help hold the glass together after impact.
When standard glass breaks, it can fracture and fall away from the frame.
When laminated impact resistant glass is struck, the glass may crack, but the interlayer helps retain the broken fragments and keeps the panel intact.
How Impact Energy Is Absorbed
When an object hits impact resistant glass, the force is spread across the laminated structure rather than being concentrated in one weak point.
The glass layers and interlayers work together to absorb the energy and reduce the chance of full penetration.
This helps the glazing resist damage from thrown objects, vandalism, accidental impact and attempted forced entry.
In higher-rated systems, the glass can also resist sustained manual attack using tools.
- Glass layers provide rigidity and surface strength
- Interlayers help absorb impact energy
- The laminated structure holds fragments together
- The panel continues to act as a barrier after cracking
- Certified systems provide tested resistance against impact or attack
What Happens When Impact Resistant Glass Is Hit?
Impact resistant glass is not designed to be unbreakable.
Instead, it is designed to resist penetration and remain in place for longer than standard glass.
This distinction is important when specifying glazing for security applications.
After a strong impact, the glass surface may crack.
However, the laminated build-up helps prevent the broken glass from falling away immediately.
This delay can be critical because it gives security systems, staff or emergency response teams more time to react.
How Certified Impact Resistant Glass Is Tested
For security applications, impact resistant glass should be specified according to recognised test standards.
One of the key standards is EN 356, which classifies glass from P1A to P8B depending on its resistance level.
EN 356 ratings from P1A to P5A are tested using steel ball drops.
These ratings are typically used for impact resistance, vandal resistance and anti-bandit glass applications.
Higher EN 356 ratings from P6B to P8B are tested using repeated axe strikes.
These classifications are used where glazing must resist a more determined manual attack.
- P1A to P5A – tested by steel ball drop impact testing
- P6B to P8B – tested by repeated axe attack testing
- LPS 1270 – used for more realistic manual attack testing with defined tool sets
Impact Resistant Glass vs Standard Glass
Standard glass can break quickly when struck, creating an opening that may allow access through the glazing.
Impact resistant glass is designed to behave differently by retaining its structure after impact.
This makes it particularly useful for buildings where glass needs to provide visibility and natural light while also supporting protection against intrusion, damage or risk to occupants.
Where Impact Resistant Glass Is Used
Impact resistant glass is commonly specified in locations where glazing is exposed to damage, attack or security risk.
- Retail storefronts and display windows
- Commercial buildings and office entrances
- Security doors and glazed screens
- Reception counters and internal partitions
- Schools, public buildings and healthcare environments
- Prisons and police custody suites
- Mental health establishments
- High security facilities
Can Impact Resistant Glass Provide Extra Protection?
Depending on the project requirements, impact resistant glass can be enhanced to provide additional performance benefits.
Tecdur Secure Glass can be specified with wider protective features where required.
- Enhanced security performance
- Ballistic resistance to EN 1063
- Blast resistance
- Fire resistance
- Acoustic reduction
- Switchable privacy glass technology
Secure Glass can be:
Enhanced Security
Impact Resistant
Bullet Resistant
Blast Resistant
Fire Resistant
Acoustic
Why Choose Tecdur?
With over 15 years of industry experience and extensive in-house manufacturing capability, Tecdur provides certified, high-performance security glazing designed to protect people and property.
Our team works closely with architects, contractors and specifiers to ensure the correct impact resistant glass is selected for each project.
Whether you require EN 356 rated impact resistance, anti-bandit glass, higher-level manual attack resistance or a multi-performance security glazing system, Tecdur can help specify the right tested solution.