Key Takeaways
- Laminated glass windows stay intact if they break, providing superior safety, energy performance, and noise reduction.
- Tempered glass windows are more affordable and impact-resistant.
- Most homes benefit from using both types strategically — laminated for exterior security and tempered for interior safety, such as in bathrooms.
The type of window glass you pick affects factors such as your safety and monthly energy bills. Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass with a plastic interlayer sandwiched between them. This construction holds the glass together upon impact, preventing it from shattering and helping to maintain the window’s integrity.
Tempered glass is a type of safety glass that undergoes a process of extreme heating followed by rapid cooling (thermal tempering). This treatment makes it approximately four to five times stronger than standard annealed glass. When it breaks, it crumbles into small, blunt, pebble-like pieces instead of sharp shards, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
If you live in an area with high winds and frequent storms, you’ll likely want laminated glass. It stands up to flying debris and cuts outside noise, though you’ll pay more. Laminated glass can cost $10–$40 per square foot, according to Apex Tempered Glass, which serves Illinois and Wisconsin. Tempered glass makes more sense for bathrooms and stairways, with prices around $5–$35 per square foot. Your costs will vary based on your location, among other factors.
According to Mark R., a window installer at Big C Lumber in Indiana, he uses “both types in most homes — tempered for shower doors and stair railings, and laminated for street-facing bedrooms or homes in hurricane zones.”
Before you decide on a glass type, take a look at your local codes and weather patterns, your budget, and each window’s location to make smart choices room by room.
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Laminated Vs. Tempered Glass Windows: What’s the Difference?
One of the biggest differences between these window types is what happens when they break. Laminated glass might crack, but it sticks to its plastic middle layer, keeping your window intact. Tempered glass breaks into small, blunt chunks instead of the standard sharp pieces of broken annealed glass. Both kinds also differ across factors such as cost and energy performance.
The table below provides a closer look at how laminated and tempered glass windows differ — and where each type belongs in your home.
| Feature | Laminated Glass | Tempered Glass |
|---|---|---|
| How it breaks | Cracks but holds together | Breaks into small pieces |
| Cost | $10–$40 per square foot | $5–$35 per square foot |
| Breakage resistance | Good resistance | Better resistance |
| Energy performance | Better insulation | Basic insulation |
| UV resistance | Blocks 99% of harmful rays | Minimal UV blocking |
| Noise reduction | Cuts street noise by half | Barely reduces noise |
| Where to use it | Hurricane areas, noisy streets, and security concerns | Bathrooms, glass doors, stairways, patio doors |
Safety Features
Laminated glass won’t give up easily during break-in attempts or harsh weather. It might crack when struck, but it stays firmly attached to its vinyl middle layer (interlayer), keeping your window sealed, much like a car windshield. This is perfect for beach houses or ground-floor windows where security matters most.
Tempered glass takes a different approach to keeping you safe. It’s heat-treated to be roughly four times stronger than regular window glass. If something does break it, you’ll get small, rounded chunks that won’t slice you up. That’s why you see it in shower doors, glass tabletops, and spots where people might bump into glass.
Many towns have building codes that spell out exactly what you need:
| Glass Location | What Codes Usually Require |
|---|---|
| Shower doors | Tempered |
| Windows by doors | Tempered or laminated |
| Low windows near floors | Tempered or laminated |
| Hurricane areas | Laminated or impact-resistant |
| Windows near stairs | Tempered |
| Skylights | Laminated |
Call your local building department before you buy windows. Many towns have specific safety glass rules for bathrooms, near stairs, and windows with 24 inches of a door. Breaking these rules and using standard glass can cause you headaches during a home inspection.
Cost
The price gap between these glass types can really impact your renovation budget. Laminated glass can cost $10–$40 per square foot, while tempered glass can run $5–$35 per square foot, according to Apex Tempered Glass.
For a typical window measuring 3 by 5 feet, here’s roughly what you’ll spend:
| Glass Type | One Window (Glass Only) | Whole House (10 Windows) |
|---|---|---|
| Laminated | $150–$600 | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Tempered | $75–$525 | $750–$5,250 |
Laminated windows cost more because they require more material — two or more layers of glass bonded with a plastic interlayer — and involve a complex manufacturing process. However, if you live in a hurricane zone, your insurance company might give you a discount to help offset the higher costs.
Labor costs around the same for both, usually around $40–$60 per hour.
Energy Efficiency
Both types of glass are compatible with energy-efficient windows. However, laminated glass will give you a bit more bang for your buck when it comes to your utility bills.
The plastic layer in laminated glass acts as an extra barrier to both hot and cold. In very hot and cold climates, this can make a noticeable difference in your comfort and energy costs.
| Energy Measurement | Laminated Glass | Tempered Glass |
|---|---|---|
| R-value (higher is better) | 0.9–1.1 | 0.85–0.9 |
| U-factor (lower is better) | 0.30–0.35 | 0.35–0.40 |
| Solar heat gain coefficient* | 0.25–0.35 | 0.25–0.40 |
*A lower solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) can be beneficial in warmer climates, as it limits the amount of solar heat entering your home, which can reduce cooling costs. A higher SHGC can be advantageous in colder climates, as it allows more solar heat to pass through windows, potentially lowering heating demands.
To maximize energy savings with either type of glass, look for window options with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings and argon gas between panes.
Installation
Both types of windows require professional installation; this isn’t a DIY project, unless you’re a window contractor. You can’t cut, drill, or alter either window type once it is manufactured.
Window manufacturers must cut tempered glass to the exact size you need before putting it through the tempering process. If you try to cut it afterward, the whole thing will shatter. Laminated glass faces the same restriction — any modifications happen before the lamination manufacturing process.
Most window installations take one to two hours per window. However, tempered glass must always be custom-made and heat-treated, which can extend the installation timeline. In contrast, laminated glass may be available off the shelf, allowing for same-day installation in certain situations.
Maintenance
You can clean both types of windows as you would any other — with mild soapy water or regular glass cleaner.
| Maintenance Task | Laminated Glass | Tempered Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Daily cleaning | Windex or soapy water | Windex or soapy water |
| Scratches | More vulnerable (plastic layer) | More scratch-resistant |
| When damaged | Replace the whole thing | Replace the whole thing |
| How long it lasts | 20–40 years | 20–30 years |
Although both glass types should ultimately be replaced when damaged, cracked laminate glass will stay in place until you replace it. Tempered glass falls out completely, leaving a hole that will require your immediate attention.
To avoid streaky windows after cleaning, try this old-school trick: Skip the paper towels and mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then, dry it with a newspaper. The ink in the paper helps polish without leaving lint behind.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Laminated Vs. Tempered Glass Windows
Each glass type has different strengths and weaknesses. Here are the trade-offs you should know about when you’re picking the kind of glass for your home’s windows.
Laminated Glass Windows
Pros
- Stays intact when broken
- Blocks almost all UV rays that fade furniture and floors
- Cuts traffic noise by about half
- Holds up against hurricane winds and flying debris
- Might lower your insurance costs in coastal areas
Cons
- Costs more per square foot than tempered glass
- Isn’t as strong as tempered glass
- Weighs more, so it needs stronger frames and hardware
Tempered Glass Windows
Pros
- Still meets safety requirements
- Breaks into small, dull pieces that won’t cause deep cuts
- Roughly four times stronger than standard window glass
- Handles high temperature swings without cracking
- Often costs less than laminated options
Cons
- Shatters completely when broken, leaving an opening to your home
- Does very little to reduce street noise
- Limited protection against UV rays
Are Laminated or Tempered Glass Windows Best for You?
The smart approach for most homeowners is mixing both: laminated where noise, security, or severe weather matter most, and tempered everywhere else. This balanced strategy saves money while still providing protection where it counts most.
Tempered glass makes perfect sense in bathrooms, shower enclosures, and stairways — it’s a practical choice for locations where people might accidentally bump into glass, and when your budget matters.
For homes near highways, airports, or in hurricane zones, laminated glass works better for living areas and bedrooms. My friend in Florida went with laminated glass on the first floor (for hurricane protection and break-in deterrence) and saved money with tempered glass upstairs, where impact resistance wasn’t as critical.
Your location can often simplify the decision. Living in Miami or New Orleans? Insurance companies practically insist on laminated glass throughout. Fixing up a midcentury ranch in Ohio? Tempered glass meets safety codes without breaking the bank.
Next Steps
Grab a notepad and walk through your house. Mark each window to be replaced with “L” or “T” based on whether laminated or tempered glass makes more sense there. Jot down specific issues such as street noise, security worries, or safety risks.
Call three local window companies for in-home estimates. Ask pointed questions such as “Which glass do you recommend for specific windows in my home?” and “Which local suppliers do you use?” Many homeowners save money by using laminated glass only where it offers clear benefits, such as street-facing bedrooms, and tempered glass everywhere else.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
FAQs About Laminated Vs. Tempered Glass Windows
These windows shine in different spots, and many homeowners end up using both types.
Contractors typically recommend tempered glass in bathrooms and stairways because it handles impacts well without breaking the bank (and if the glass shatters, it won’t harm you).
For homes near highways or beaches, laminated glass makes more sense because it blocks noise and stands up to storms.
Properly installed laminated windows can last 30 years or more. The plastic middle layer might yellow slightly after decades in direct sunlight, but newer manufacturing methods have mostly fixed that problem. Their lives can be shortened by poor installation, extreme temperature changes, and harsh cleaning chemicals.
Unlike regular windows, cracked laminated glass often stays functional for months or even years because the middle layer holds everything together. Mark R. has had customers put off replacement because the cracked window still kept rain out just fine.
Absolutely. The plastic layer in laminated glass absorbs sound vibrations instead of allowing them to pass through, cutting outside noise roughly in half compared to tempered glass.
Last year, Mark R. installed laminated windows for a night-shift nurse who lived near a fire station. After the switch, she finally started sleeping throughout the day without sirens waking her. If noise drives you crazy, laminated glass works wonders.
Yes, laminated glass works great for home windows and provides bonus perks such as noise reduction and UV protection. Both types meet safety codes, though hurricane-prone areas often require laminated glass by law. The main trade-offs are cost (laminated glass tends to cost substantially more) and weight (heavier laminated glass needs sturdy frames).
Most of Mark R.’s clients use a mixture of laminated glass windows for bedrooms and living areas where people spend the most time, and tempered glass windows for bathrooms and interior doors where safety matters more than noise control.
