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What Is a Better Glass Railing Material– Tempered or Laminated Glass?

Updated: Jul 6, 2023



Glass railings are an incredibly popular feature in homes and businesses. They provide a beautiful, modern look while offering safety and protection against falls and other accidents. Homeowners and business owners have a few types of glass to choose from – tempered or laminated glass. Both materials offer advantages, but it's important to understand the differences between them to determine the best choice for the glass staircase railing in Thornhill.


Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is created through thermal or chemical treatment using extreme heat or cold. This toughens the glass, making it more resistant to impacts, thermal shock, and breakage than traditional plate glass. It has been used in applications such as windows, sliding doors, and even shower enclosures for its impressive strength. However, it does have some drawbacks for use as a railing material. Its main drawback is its low scratch resistance – if something sharp like sandpaper came into contact with it, the surface would be damaged easily.


Laminated Glass

Laminated glass combines two pieces of glass with a strong adhesive interlayer in between them. This provides superior strength compared to a regular plate or tempered glass, meaning that it can resist impacting better than other materials when subjected to a sudden force, such as a projectile hitting it at high speed. It also has much greater scratch resistance than tempered glass, such everyday wear-and-tear scratches like sandpaper won't easily damage it might cause on tempered material railings over time.

When considering these two types of materials for modern glass stair railing in Thornhill, many factors should be taken into account before making a final decision about which is best for you:

  • Cost – laminated and tempered materials come with price tags that vary depending on their size. So your budget will be a key factor in deciding which one is better for your glass staircase railing in Thornhill.

  • Installation difficulty – installing either type involves careful handling procedures, so they must be done correctly; aesthetics – both materials are available in numerous styles so finding one that fits your desired look should be relatively easy.

  • Durability – laminated offers greater protection against impact shocks while tempered is better able to withstand extreme temperatures; use environment – if you need added soundproofing, then laminated may be better suited for modern glass stair railing in Thornhill due to its additional layer of insulation.

  • UV protection - both materials offer UV protection but again, depending on how much sunlight exposure your railing will get, this could factor into your decision.

In conclusion, when deciding between tempered or laminated glass railings in Toronto, there’s no single right answer, as each may have di stinct advantages depending on your specific needs and preferences. Regardless of what type you choose, make sure you consider all factors discussed above to find the best solution possible for your project!

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