Tempered vs Laminated Glass for Balcony Railings

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Laminated glass is generally the better choice for balcony railings because its interlayer keeps the broken pieces bonded and the barrier intact after impact. Tempered glass is strong and breaks into small granular pieces, which is safe in many uses but offers less protection against falling through an opening. Choose the glass type with your engineer based on height, load and the safety requirements of your building.

What tempered glass is

Tempered glass is ordinary float glass that has been heated and rapidly cooled. This process builds internal stress that makes the glass several times stronger than standard glass. When it breaks, it shatters into many small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, which reduces injury from the breakage itself.

The downside is that once tempered glass breaks, the whole pane loses its integrity. The pieces fall out and leave an open gap, which matters where the railing is meant to stop a person from falling.

What laminated glass is

Laminated glass is made by bonding two or more glass layers with a plastic interlayer, usually PVB or a similar material, under heat and pressure. The interlayer holds the glass together when it cracks.

If a laminated pane is struck hard, the glass may crack in a spiderweb pattern, but the fragments stay attached to the interlayer. The barrier remains in place, which is why laminated glass is widely used where falling protection and security are important.

Safety and fall protection compared

For balcony railings, the key question is whether the barrier keeps holding after an impact. Laminated glass performs better here because the broken pane remains in its frame. Tempered glass is safer than ordinary glass in terms of sharp edges, but a broken tempered panel can leave a gap.

Laminated: the pane stays in place after breaking.
Tempered: breaks into small pieces that can fall out.
Both: must be installed with suitable fixings and handrails where required.

Strength, appearance and maintenance

Both glass types can look almost identical once installed, with clear, low-iron or tinted options available. Tempered glass is often chosen for its strength and lower cost of production, while laminated glass adds weight and thickness because of its layers.

Neither type needs special maintenance beyond regular cleaning. Check edges, fixings and seals periodically, and ask the factory about the glass options that suit your design.

Standards and what to confirm

Railings in Israel are governed by the standard SI 1142 among other requirements. Exact dimensions, glass thicknesses and load values depend on the height of the balcony, the design and the building, so they should be confirmed with the engineer rather than assumed from general information.

Ask whether the glass has been specified for the railing system you have chosen and whether the fixing method supports the glass type.

How to choose the right glass for your balcony

Start by considering who uses the balcony and how high it is. Families with children, pets, or balconies on higher floors usually benefit from laminated glass because it keeps the barrier in place if the glass is damaged.

Consider the height and fall risk.
Consider the use: children, pets, wind exposure.
Consider the design and the look you want.
Confirm the choice with an engineer and your building requirements.

A site visit lets us measure accurately and advise on the right specification for your balcony.

Frequently asked questions

Is laminated glass always better for balcony railings?

In most cases it offers better protection because the pane stays in place after breaking. The final choice should still be confirmed against your building's requirements and the engineer's specification.

Does tempered glass break more easily than laminated glass?

Tempered glass can be very strong, but once it breaks it fragments completely, leaving an open gap. Laminated glass cracks but stays bonded to its interlayer.

Can I combine both types in one railing?

Yes, designs sometimes mix glass types. Discuss the layout and safety needs with us and the engineer before deciding.

Do I need a site measurement before ordering glass?

Yes, we recommend an on-site measurement so the glass, fixings and railing are made to fit your balcony exactly.

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing glass by appearance alone and ignoring what happens after breakage is a common error. Skipping engineer confirmation or measuring incorrectly can also lead to an unsafe or ill-fitting railing.

Our recommendation

For balconies on upper floors or homes with children, we generally recommend laminated glass, confirmed by an engineer against your building's requirements. Arrange an on-site measurement before choosing the final specification.

Summary

Laminated glass keeps the barrier intact after impact, which usually makes it the safer choice for balcony railings, while tempered glass offers strength but breaks into fragments.

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