Learn the difference between impact resistant glass and laminated glass, how they are related, and when certified security glazing is required.
Impact resistant glass and laminated glass are closely connected, but they are not always the same thing.
Many types of impact resistant glass are laminated, but not all laminated glass is designed or tested to provide high levels of impact resistance or security performance.
Laminated glass describes the way the glass is made. Impact resistant glass describes what the glass is designed to do.
This difference is important when specifying glazing for security, anti-vandal, anti-bandit or forced entry resistant applications.
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.
What Is Laminated Glass?
Laminated glass is made by bonding two or more layers of glass together with an interlayer.
The interlayer helps hold the glass together if it breaks, reducing the risk of the pane falling away immediately.
This construction is commonly used for safety, durability and improved performance compared with standard glass.
However, the level of resistance depends on the glass thickness, number of layers, interlayer type and whether the final product has been tested to a recognised standard.
What Is Impact Resistant Glass?
Impact resistant glass is glazing designed to resist damage, penetration or breakage when struck.
It is usually made using a laminated construction, but it is specified for a particular performance requirement rather than simply because it is laminated.
When impact resistant glass is hit, the glass may crack, but the laminated build-up helps hold the panel together.
This means the glazing can continue acting as a barrier after impact, helping delay access and improve protection.
- Resists impact from thrown objects or heavy force
- Helps delay forced entry attempts
- Maintains a barrier after cracking
- Can be tested to EN 356 or LPS 1270 standards
- Can be specified for anti-vandal and anti-bandit applications
The Main Difference Between Laminated Glass and Impact Resistant Glass
The key difference is that laminated glass refers to the construction, while impact resistant glass refers to the performance.
A laminated pane may offer better safety than standard glass, but it may not provide the level of impact resistance needed for a security project unless it has been correctly specified and tested.
- Laminated glass describes glass made from layers bonded with an interlayer.
- Impact resistant glass describes glass designed to resist impact, damage or penetration.
- Most impact resistant glass is laminated.
- Not all laminated glass is suitable for security glazing.
- Certified impact resistant glass should be chosen based on tested performance.
Why Testing Matters
For security applications, it is not enough to know that glass is laminated.
The important question is what level of resistance the glass has been tested to provide.
One of the key standards for impact resistant security glazing is EN 356.
This classifies glass from P1A to P8B according to its resistance to manual attack.
- P1A to P5A – impact resistance tested using steel ball drops
- P6B to P8B – higher manual attack resistance tested using repeated axe strikes
- LPS 1270 – realistic manual attack testing using defined tools and attack times
When Is Laminated Glass Enough?
Laminated glass may be suitable where the main requirement is safety, fragment retention or general durability.
It can be used in many everyday glazing applications where basic protection is required.
However, if the glazing needs to resist vandalism, repeated impact, forced entry or sustained attack, a tested impact resistant glass or certified security glass specification is usually required.
When Is Certified Impact Resistant Glass Needed?
Certified impact resistant glass is typically specified where the glass forms part of the building’s security strategy.
This includes environments where people, assets or controlled areas need a higher level of protection.
- Retail shopfronts and high-value display windows
- Commercial entrances and reception areas
- Security doors and glazed screens
- Schools, healthcare and public buildings
- Prisons and police custody suites
- Mental health establishments
- High security facilities
Can Laminated Impact Resistant Glass Offer Extra Protection?
Yes. Laminated impact resistant glass can be engineered to provide additional performance benefits depending on the project requirements.
Tecdur Secure Glass can be enhanced 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 laminated impact resistant glass specification is selected for each project.
Whether you require laminated safety glass, EN 356 rated impact resistant glass, LPS 1270 performance or a multi-performance security glazing system, Tecdur can help specify the right tested solution.