Safety Glass Explained: Laminated vs Toughened Glass in South Africa

Safety glass is glass engineered to reduce the risk of injury if it breaks — and in South Africa it is a legal requirement in many parts of a building. This guide explains the two main types (laminated and toughened), how glass thickness is measured, where safety glazing is required under the SANS building regulations, and how to choose the right glass for your windows, doors and shopfronts.

Key Takeaways

• The two main safety-glass types are laminated (holds together when broken) and toughened (shatters into small, blunt granules).
• A code like 6.38mm describes the glass make-up — for example 3mm glass + 0.38mm interlayer + 3mm glass.
• South African building regulations (SANS 10400-N) require safety glazing in high-risk areas such as doors, low-level glazing and bathrooms.
• Coetz™ supplies 6.38mm Clear Laminated Safety Glass as standard, with obscure and tinted options on selected products.

What Is Safety Glass?

Ordinary annealed (float) glass breaks into large, sharp shards that can cause serious injury. Safety glass is manufactured so that, if it fails, it does so in a much safer way — either by holding together or by breaking into small blunt pieces. The two recognised safety-glass types used in aluminium windows and doors are laminated glass and toughened (tempered) glass.

Laminated vs Toughened Glass

Both are “safety glass”, but they behave very differently when broken and suit different applications.

Feature	Laminated Glass	Toughened (Tempered) Glass
How it is made	Two or more panes bonded with a PVB interlayer	A single pane heat-treated (tempered)
When it breaks	Cracks but holds together in the frame	Shatters into small, blunt granules
Safety benefit	Stays in place — reduces cut and fall-through risk	No large sharp shards — reduces cut injuries
Security	Higher — much harder to breach quickly	Lower — once broken the opening is clear
Sound & UV	Better noise reduction and UV filtering	Standard
Typical uses	Windows, doors, shopfronts and security glazing	Frameless doors, showers and balustrades

Glass Thickness Explained

Laminated glass is described by its total build-up. “6.38mm” means two 3mm panes bonded by a 0.38mm PVB interlayer. Thicker glass adds strength, sound insulation and rigidity for larger panes.

Glass	Make-up	Typical use
6.38mm laminated	3mm + 0.38mm PVB + 3mm	Standard safety glazing for windows and doors
8.38mm laminated	4mm + 0.38mm PVB + 4mm	Larger panes; added strength and sound control
4–6mm toughened	Single tempered pane	Frameless applications, showers and balustrades

Where Is Safety Glass Required in South Africa?

South African National Standards (SANS 10400-N, read with SANS 10137) require safety glazing in areas where accidental human impact is more likely. These commonly include:

• Glazed doors and the side panels next to them
• Low-level glazing close to floor level
• Bathrooms and areas that may be wet or slippery
• Large panes and glazing near stairs or changes in level

Requirements depend on the pane size, its height above floor level and its location. Always confirm the current requirements for your project with your glazier, architect or local building authority.

Which Glass Should You Choose?

• Windows and doors: laminated glass is the go-to — it stays in the frame, adds security and cuts noise.
• Security-sensitive openings: laminated, as it resists quick break-through.
• Frameless or high-impact fittings (showers, balustrades): toughened glass.
• Privacy: add an obscure/frosted finish; for solar control, consider tinted glass.

The Coetz™ Standard: 6.38mm Laminated Safety Glass

Every standard Coetz™ aluminium window and aluminium door is glazed with 6.38mm Clear Laminated Safety Glass — never cheap float glass — with obscure and tinted options on selected products. Need a specific size? Order glass and aluminium cut to size. As a member of the South African Glass and Glazing Association (SAGGA), we are committed to responsible glazing and applicable South African standards — learn more about Coetz™.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is laminated glass the same as safety glass?

Laminated glass is one type of safety glass; toughened (tempered) glass is the other. Both reduce injury risk, but laminated holds together when broken while toughened crumbles into blunt granules.

What does 6.38mm glass mean?

It is laminated glass made of two 3mm panes bonded by a 0.38mm PVB interlayer, giving a 6.38mm total thickness — the standard for safety glazing in windows and doors.

Is laminated or toughened glass more secure?

Laminated glass is more secure. Its interlayer keeps the pane together even when cracked, making a quick break-in much harder, whereas toughened glass leaves a clear opening once shattered.

Does South African law require safety glass?

Yes — SANS 10400-N requires safety glazing in higher-risk locations such as doors, low-level glazing and bathrooms. The exact requirement depends on the pane size, height and position, so confirm with a professional.

What glass does Coetz™ use as standard?

6.38mm Clear Laminated Safety Glass on standard windows and doors, with obscure and tinted options available on selected products, plus a glass cut-to-size service.

Ready to order? Browse aluminium windows and aluminium doors, get glass cut to size, or contact the Coetz™ team for advice.

Working on a commercial project? See our AAAMSA Glass & Glazing Certificate guide.

For background, see recognised safety glass standards.